It's All Over But The Suffering

This morning was my final workout before the Marine Corps Marathon. I ran three miles around Hoboken in 7:17 per mile pace. I was aiming for something more along the lines of 7:30 per mile pace, but I just could not help myself from running faster--without feeling like I was pushing at all. I think this is a really good sign I have executed my taper perfectly--my body is just raring to go on Sunday!

I also had my final pre-marathon physical therapy session at Columbia University Medical Center. My therapist (who previously worked on Eli Manning--oh, did I just name drop?) stated my hips look much better than they did a few weeks ago, and I am all set to race! It is just crazy to me to think my marathon training is over. I have to say I really could not have prepared any better--I completed all my long runs, listened to my body, and will toe the starting line nearly 100% healthy. Now it is just a question of executing...

Carbs, Carbs, And More Carbs

Today is Day Two of "Marathon Week," and my preparations continue to progress quite well. I banged out my second to last training run on the treadmill, an easy four miles at 7:30 per mile pace. After desperately searching in vain for a pink running top to wear during the marathon in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to honor my late sister, I was able to find a pair of hot pink cycling socks on Amazon.com. Clearly actual running socks would have been preferable, but I am sure these will work perfectly fine (hopefully these do not turn out to be famous last words). In addition, my wife bought me a new white Under Armour running top (did I mention how awesome she is?), on which she is going to write "Do It For Bea" in pink lettering, so I should be all set! Finally, I have been carbo loading like a fiend the last couple of days. I think I may have started a bit early, but I figure it certainly can't hurt!

Welcome To Marathon Week!

So today is the official beginning of what my better half referred to as "Marathon Week" (which I thought was awesome), my final few days of preparation for the Marine Corps Marathon. The next six days will be less about training and more about getting myself logistically and mentally prepared for the big day. That said, I still do have a few more runs to get in, and so this morning I did a five mile out-and-back in Hoboken and Jersey City at 7:17 per mile pace. The run was fairly uneventful, although I did bang out the last mile in 6:49, reasoning that will be my last "hard" mile before Sunday. I plan to run four miles tomorrow and then another three on Thursday before completely resting my body on Friday and Saturday.

I am also focusing on carbo loading (including an English muffin this morning and bread and pasta for lunch) and hydrating, as well as continuing to work on strengthening my hips (including one final phsyical therapy session on Thursday). Hopefully I am not jinxing myself as I write this, but I honestly could not feel any better right now--all of the nagging injuries I dealt with over the last several weeks appear to be gone, and my confidence is extremely high (particularly based on Friday's run). We will see how the rest of Marathon Week goes, but so far, so great!