Training Supplement – November 2, 2016

I had a great time supporting runners at the Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday!  Mentally, I’m feeling on top of the world and ready to run hard on Sunday.  I gathered my race day flair together this weekend and will start packing for the New York City Marathon tonight!

Clothing & Gear

Flair.  On the weekend before the New York City Marathon, I made a last minute trip to a craft store for duct tape so I could put my name on my singlet.  I’m in the Green Wave start, so I gathered all the items that might coordinate with my bib.  I’ll start packing for the race tonight but I have a few more days to pull everything together. 

 

(My Complete Clothes & Gear Page.)

Nutrition & Hydration

Weight & Nutrition.  When a runner is tapering, they are advised to watch what they eat and to expect some weight gain.  Ironically, I haven’t been watching my diet and my weight dropped a few pounds.  But in the final days before the marathon when I’m running less, I’m sure those vanity pounds will come back.

Routes

Construction.  I neglected to take a picture of the construction project I followed this training cycle!  I saw it on my way to cheer for the Marine Corps Marathon and it’s completely demolished.  It looks like I’ll be following it into my next marathon training cycle.

Media & Motivation

Music. “On Top of the World,” Imagine Dragons.  I’m surprised I hadn’t discovered this song earlier.  It’s definitely going on my New York City Marathon playlist.

(My “Songs of the Week” playlist on Spotify.)

Marine Corps Marathon. On Sunday, I went out to support the Marine Corps Marathon runners.  I cheered just before Mile 24 in Crystal City since it’s a pretty desolate spot.  I have two stories that I thought were worth sharing.

• I brought water to hand out but wasn’t expecting the elite runners would want them.  When the 3^rd place runner came through, he pointed to the bottles and said, “Please!” He kept running and I sprinted after him, desperately trying to open the bottle.  He slowed down a little and we made a baton-type exchange a few yards later.
• The first woman came through, I could tell she was struggling.  When the second place woman came through, I told her, “You can catch her.”  I felt a little bad about saying that but happy when I read that she did!

Websites.  “Deena, Kara, and Shalane on the Magic of the New York City Marathon Debut,” Runner’s World.  It was touching reading how elites feel the same emotions that the rest of us feel running this marathon.  Obviously, for them the stakes are higher.  But, I think there is something special about this race.  I’m very excited to see how Molly Huddle does on Sunday.  I keep thinking my only regret about running it is that I can’t watch her run it.

Motivation. “Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.” – Babe Ruth

This has been such a crazy marathon cycle!  I’ve had so many ups and downs.  I really don’t know what to expect on Sunday.  But, I know I’m going to run hard.