 |
| Don't hate me because I'm beautiful! |
Sorry for the Emily Litella moment. I know that was really bad. Never mind.
The taper. Right. I hear other runners talking about how much they hate the taper, but I have to say I'm not on board with that. I used to think I hated the taper, probably because someone told me I was supposed to. To be honest, I like the feeling that I get in my legs. Really. It feels like my legs are growing stronger every day, and according to this article, that's exactly what's happening. They definitely feel different than they have for the last 12 weeks or so, but I associate that with them getting stronger so it's a positive thing.
I am also taking that extra energy I have left over to take stock in all of the work I've put in: not just in this training cycle but everything that has brought me to this point. Here are a few thoughts that I've had running through my brain:
1. Six months ago, I was not running. Remember pool running Jaymee? I over trained. I learned from that and am now fitter than I ever have been.
2. I have been sleeping 8 hours per night, eating well and running my easy runs as easy as I ever have. I pride myself in running a positive split in my easy runs.
3. My butt no longer hurts.<3
4. I have nailed all of my goal marathon pace workouts these last two weeks and feel great running at 6:10 pace.
5. This will be my 16th marathon. Yes, sweet 16! I've run, on average, just under 3 marathons/per year in the 6 years I've been running. Eight of the last 15 have been under 3 hours.
6. Joan Benoit Samuelson is running Chicago = Awesome!
It occurred to me this week, as I was preparing for a GMP workout, that I feel 100% confident that I am fit enough to achieve my goal. In some ways, I can't believe the feeling of calm and confidence I have about that. I have been getting more worked up about my silly training runs than the race itself! I have no idea if the subliminal recordings I've been listening to at night are doing this for me, or if my most recent training runs have boosted my trust in my mind and body. Regardless, I'm very happy with where I am right now.
I know that there are still many things that can go wrong that are out of my control going into this race. While I hope everything lines up for me, I know that even if I don't have the best day, the work I've done has made me a faster runner and will continue to pay off in the future.
One week to go!!!!
How exciting, it's finally time to perform the dance! You've had such great workouts and the mental work you've been doing is money in the bank - it's all going to come to a beautiful head on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteI don't need to say Good Luck because you're trained and ready to achieve your goal (plus, it's early ;-), but girl, this is going to be your weekend for sure! Here's an early good luck for the hell of it, or in keeping with the first paragraph, for the halibut. Good Luck!
I'm truly excited for you. You've *already* achieved huge improvements in all aspects of your physical and mental preparation. The achievement of your goal is inevitable!
ReplyDeleteYou sound in great spirits. I can't see anything other than a Trials qualifying time. And you get to run with Joanie, as I'm pretty sure she'll have a crack at the qualifying pace. Very cool! Another good omen is that the Malaysian Tapir is wearing the same colours as the 'Pies (Collingwood), and they won the Grand Final last Saturday ;)
ReplyDeleteHaha :) On a slightly unrelated note, in many dialects (and also foreign languages) the animal's name is pronounced ta-peer so it doesn't rhyme with taper :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
GIM: Thanks for your undying support. I can definitely use the luck!
ReplyDeleteMark: I'm excited for you too! Hope to see you cross the line under 3:10.
Ewen: Glad your crystal ball is showing good things for me;) Pretty sure that the Malaysian tapir coincidence is a good omen.
Bozot: You probably figured out by now that we Yanks mispronounce everything;)
I especially like No. 4. I am quite simpatica with you; it's like I'm doing the race without having to get up before dawn! Or having done, you know, the work.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joe. It was 3 miles @ 6:07 pace tonight for my last GMP run. This is not normal for me. Usually, I'm barely pulling off my true GMP in this last run. We'll just see how this whole thing unfolds on Sunday...
ReplyDeleteYou really seem set J. The only thing that might play with your mind and performance, I think, is that even though you're fit you might find the first 5K a little bit harder to hold the required pace then you anticipated but don't let your mind tell you "it's going to be a long day" just hang in there and soon enough things will start to go well, and they'll only get better as the race progresses.
ReplyDeleteYou'll be flying the last 5K passing people left, right and center!
I think the reason most people hate the taper is because they feel like they are giving up or not in control. You have to trust that you're training has prepared you completely for your goal and that this taper is exactly what you need to be fresh, recovered, relaxed and ready to go on race day. Good luck in your marathon!
ReplyDeleteGood luck in Chicago, Jaymee. Go get 'em...
ReplyDeleteI was tracking you during the race today. I want to let you post the results, but you did an awesome job out there.
ReplyDeletei hope you're celebrating right now. congrats!
ReplyDeleteJaymee, it's been a while since I've posted here... but WOWWWW! I am so proud of you. I shed a few happy tears when I heard about your race in Chicago today. So, so happy for you!!!! You go, girl!
ReplyDeletei know you think I am your new stalker, but its been a pleasure to follow you and your dream and then see you acting it out today.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the power and energy you've given me...your words have been priceless.
I wish you all the best and I can't wait to for the 'next'. As for now, I hope the beer is flowing!
OMG - I've seen you on the best running trail in America over the last few months and I've followed your blog which has produced laughs, smiles and given me the energy and fight to work harder on my running. I can't tell you how excited I am for you and all of us because we now get to follow you through the big adventure.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great race but in my heart I knew you would do it!!! Enjoy the journey and when I see you on the trail I will just smile as you are my hero and I want to keep as such.