Marathon Fun Tomorrow!

It was only four weeks ago when I found myself swearing off marathons forever.  I had just finished the Newport Marathon after hitting the proverbial "wall" and the first words out of my lips were "I don't ever want to run a marathon again as long as I live!"  And now here I am on a Sunday night setting out my race outfit and excited as ever to run another marathon tomorrow!

This race tomorrow is the Sauvie Island Marathon.  It is a smaller race and most people sign up to run the half marathon course. In fact, I am hoping to meet a few of you tomorrow! This race will be a fun race.  I use "fun" and "race" lightly because I'm certain I won't be thinking it is too terribly fun as I near the end and I don't have any plans of "racing" this like I would a peak race that I have specifically trained for.  However, I DO plan on enjoying this experience, putting no pressure on myself, and making my overall goals being to:
*  Try for a progressive race where I start slow and finish strong.  I've only run three marathons but I've never experienced one where I feel strong at the end. I will try to start at an 8:15 pace instead of the 7:20ish pace I took off at in my last marathon (stupid stupid).  We will try to run slower and relaxed until mile 6 and then pick it up only if we feel like it.
* Enjoy the process!  Have fun!

A few things about tomorrow:

1. This will be my husband's first marathon!  And he isn't officially trained.  He got inspired and dropped his half marathon and 5k plans and decided to hop in this marathon with me.  I believe that he has the potential to Boston Qualify IF he was trained.  Since he has never run over 18 miles in his life and his longest run in a year has only been 13 miles, I think this will be an interesting experience for him and it is probably best for him to just run with me and not try for the 3:10.
2. This will be my first time running in a race with music!  I have my ipod loaded and ready to use if I need it.  This is a small race so I'm sure I'll enjoy some tunes when we are running through strawberry fields with only a few people in sight.  
3. I'm going to try some gradual fueling where I hold the gel packet in my hand and take a little at a time.  I'm either going to take it 1/3 at a time or 1/2 at a time starting with mile 5 or 6 and taking a little every two miles. And then starting another between miles 12-15 and taking bits a time. This makes sense to me.  My husband will be using the gummy blocks (not sure of the specific name).  
4. We will both be racing with a hydration belt this time.  My husband took my Nathan's trail belt so I will be using my Nathan's racing series belt that has a place for four containers.  I will only use two of them because the belt is annoying with all four of them.  I am mostly taking the belt along so that I can wash my gel down when I feel like it and not only at the water stops.  
5. The water stops will have water, Nuun, and Hammer Gels.  I will surely try out this Nuun along with the water!  
6. Since my last marathon four weeks ago, I have taken plenty of time off of running, tried out cycling, done a swim workout, gotten a kidney infection and the flu, and the longest run I've gon has been 10 miles.  I am realistic about these things.  I am running this marathon for the right reasons. It will be like a long progressive run hopefully.  I am definitely being honest with you in saying that I am NOT trying for a second chance at that 3:15.  That will be for another day.  
7. This is my first time racing a marathon for fun!  I love the feeling!

Who says you can't enjoy a pint of good beer on the day before your race?  I've got water too!  And notice my bum kids sitting on the city sidewalks trying to grab up all the sunshine! 

Carbo Loading with some pasta at Rock Bottom Brewery!

I may have NO boobs but I sure do have some super hero mojo!  Fly with me...to infinity and beyond!  Or just to Sauvie Island!  

Good luck hat from Boston Marathon 2004

Our hydration belts

My sweet man listening to his marathon playlist!  Good luck Waylon!!  I love you!

Good luck to those racing tomorrow!  Raina, I just know that the 10k is going to be a race you are so strong in!  Good luck tomorrow.  Even though it isn't a peak race for you and it is BEFORE your official training, I just know you will be strong!  And go Jenn and Reese!  Reese (Jenn's daughter) is only 10 and she's already running a 22 something 5k and that is without training!  Watch out Minnesota!

Oh, and Jill, mile 13 is for you and I will especially be thinking of you at 13.1 since you ran 13.1 recently!  Huge hugs!  So glad you are inspired...this inspires us too!

Amanda