Off to the Races

Me. Looking quite nervous.

Off we go. It all comes to a head. The snow, the bitter cold, the darkness, the eyelids just about frozen shut...this is what it has all been for. In 24 hours I better have 26.2 miles under my belt. I'm going for a PR. Hopefully somewhere between a 3:25 and 3:20. I hope to not have quite as much spunk at the end of this race. I want to finish with everything gone, as hard as I can go. I may not be as entertaining for the onlookers, but my family is set to cheer me on. I am so grateful to the awesome women I run with. They are amazing to put up with me, the snail. It is really a privilege to run with them.

My race strategy is still being devised. I think I will go out at about a 3:23 pace and hopefully be able to drop it down the final third. I have been through 4 sports bras, 2 hats, and 3 pairs of shorts for my running outfit. It is definitely the nerves. I am sporting a hot pink top, so I shouldn't be hard for my family to miss.

I think I will eat a banana and a slice of my bread before hand. I have 4 hammer gels. I will use at least 3. One every 6-8 miles. Take a small sip of water at all the water stops. I am not going to walk during the stations this time. Just enough to get a gulp. I have been drinking like crazy the last 3 days to get my body hydrated.

Wish me luck. I will need it, and prayers :) starting about mile 19!

BTW...my hair is looking blah. Maybe I should go blonder?