Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Preparing for Chicago...

I have a small event in just 11 days.  Yep, I running the Chicago Marathon again this year in 11 days...yikes! 

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. 
Here's hoping for a cool Fall day on October 9th.  If it is cool, I might somehow pull off a decent time.  My main goal is to go out there and have fun, but let's be real here.  We all know that I will be out there with every intention to beat 3:56, even if it means I cannot walk the next day.  This should be interesting...

4 comments:

Amy said...

Yay!!! I'm running Chicago, too! And I have been obsessively checking the weather as well... and just so you know.. accuweather has a 2 week forecast... You're welcome.

Lindsay said...

Sounds like you got some of these "prep" tips from me ;) lol. Chicago is in 11 days?!? Sheesh! Where did the summer go? Time flew by while I wasn't running...

Cori said...

Good luck, Keri! I am pulling for you!

Tara said...

You are going to do wonderful! You've done all that work and as soon as your body gets the rest it needs, you are going to fly on that course. I wish that I could be out there with you!

They have Reeces PB cups shaped like pumpkins? Are they anything like the ones at Easter that are shaped like eggs???!?! those are the best!