I really have not talked much about it, since I was unsure up until a few weeks ago if I would even be able to pull it off. I have been worried all Summer that I would some how re-fraction my leg. Kind of like when I broke my foot a few years ago. I still shout at Ken "that's my broken foot" when he touches it too hard. Dramatic? Maybe a little. :)
My longest run for training was 18 miles. That might panic some, but I have never been one to run multiple 20 mile training runs. I think it is a waste of time and energy. I am using Chicago as a training run for my big plans in November, the NYC Marathon. With that being said, it will still be 26.2 miles I am running on October 9th, and this should not be taken lightly.
What have I been doing to prepare?
- I have been making sure I am drinking 100 ounces of water. Last year being well hydrated the week prior is the only thing that saved me during the heat.
- I am obsessively checking the weather forecast. So what that the 10 day forecast only shows until Friday and the marathon is on Sunday. I have extra time to kill.
- I struggled to run seven miles on Monday. Yep, I complained during the last mile. I mean, a marathon is 19.2 miles further than I struggled to run on Monday. October 9th might be a bad day. Ken might be drunk by the time I come rolling into the finish area at the six and a half hour time cut off.
- I am eating extra Reese's Peanut Butter pumpkins. Everything taste better shaped as a pumpkin, trust me on this. Actually, do not take my word, try it for yourself.
- I have been telling my entire office that I am off next Friday and the following Monday. I think they are ready for me to be gone. No Keri equals no Keri talking about being off work and about the marathon that is fastly approaching in 11 days!!
- I am trying to figure out my race day outfit. I mean, even though I am not going to be all that fast, I still need to look cute.