After a fitful night of sleeping (so annoying!) I got up at 3:45 and laced up my shoes for one last long run before Savannah. Week 21. Like a half a pregnancy! (Yes, this was the longest training program EVER).
The original group was there today – which was so fitting. I’m finishing how I began! We did 9.5 miles in 1:40 (10:30ish pace) and kept it light and fun. David (my group leader) sprinkled in tips for this week throughout the run:
- Run twice, but keep it light
- Consider doing a hills workout (as one of my 2 runs) on Thursday – help stretch out the muscles and get rid of some of the lactic acid building up (we’ll see).
- Keep off my feet, with my legs up (and compression socks ON!)
- Eat in moderation. Don’t go crazy.
He also had some race tips – like walking through all of the water stops (I will probably walk through most of them – but I’m going to carry water for the first part), strategies on taking gels (every 4 miles), and ibuprofen (a must!). I have to say after talking about it for more than an hour and a half I can’t wait to race!
After a few pictures (in the dark, with the iPhone), we fist bumped (not really) and said our goodbyes. The next time I see David I will be a marathoner!
With Becky – she’s also running Savannah. I had no idea we had such a height difference until I saw this picture!
Now I’m off to do a million things (and find some coffee – I NEED CAFFEINE)!
And that’s just half the list. Eh, it will get done.
Happy Sunday!
Its almost sad to see this training period end! Wishing you and your run buddies all the best in their journey’s.. Wish I was going to Savannah to see you at the end.. with that big smile and sweaty hugs… But I’ll be with your biggest fans..on Saturday and Sunday!
😀
Thanks!! I’ll call you later this week with details on the weekend 🙂
I don’t think you need to do hills. Any running you do this week has no bearing on your marathon. My pace leader told me to keep ALL my runs 3 miles or less and easy this week. Skip the hills!
Oh, the run would be 3 miles or less. It’s just a few miles of hills to stretch all of the muscles and shake out my legs. A hill or two would be especially useful on Thursday because my calves really store up the lactic acid and they get so sore!They actually feel better today (after throwing a few hills in today’s run) than they did after my 3.5 miles on Thursday. We’ll see though – depends on if I want to make the drive to the gym Thursday morning to run on the treadmill!!
Good luck!!! I am debating on a half in a couple of weeks. Prob will wait till spring though. I can’t wait to hear all about it!!!!
Congrats to you for making it … you’re almost at the finish line! I’d Google the ibuprofen thing. My husband said in his marathon training, he’s heard the opposite — avoid it. Who knows though. He’s often an example of what not to do!
What are you going to do w/o your weekly running group? Have you all become Facebook friends? It’s funny the way people come into our lives sometimes, huh?
I think the ibuprofen thing depends on the person. Paula couldn’t stomach it (no pun intended) – so I HIGHLY recommend that she stay away! I have been taking if for my super longs runs (except my 23-miler and there was such a difference) and my stomach is OK with it. I’m definitely down with the “don’t do anything you wouldn’t normally do” on race day though!
I’m actually not friends with them on FB – hee. I am going to keep running with them when I can!
Yay, you’re almost there! You sound so well prepared–I know you’re going to rock it!