This time next week, I’m going to be taking the Metro to downtown DC, where I’ll pick up my packet for the Marine Corps Marathon. In that packet will be my bib, lucky No. 5345. I’m so excited just thinking about it!
Until then, I’m feeding myself a constant stream of motivation to keep myself from less-helpful tasks. My pre-race phantoms this time are worrying that I’ll emerge from the marathon with serious, nightmarish injuries, and worrying that I’ll slow to a despairingly awful pace the second half of the race.I’m writing those down here not because I’m obsessing, but because this is an honest blog, and I feel it’s appropriate to confess that it’s not all roses and finishers’ medals sprouting in my mind.
That said, here are a few of the things motivating me today:
My last speed workout yesterday. Steve and I skipped our group run on account of the cold rain pelting the DC area, which I’m guessing would not be the best way to protect my immune system before Oct. 25. I headed for the treadmill instead and knocked out three 1-mile repeats at 7:15-minute mile pace, making sure to crank it down below the 7-minute-mile mark for the last minute or so of each repeat. I felt sort of awesome! Those miles, in addition to my 8-minute-mile tempo run Tuesday night, will be major confidence-boosters as I head into the final week of my taper.
Some new tunes. In addition to “B.O.B” by Outkast, which I recently rediscovered as a running song, I’m loving “Percussion Gun” by the White Rabbits. The song is self-explanatory – like “B.O.B,” it’s got a persistent drumbeat that just begs you to move faster.
New socks! Yes, that was exclamation-point worthy. I wore Wrightsock anti-blister socks during the only other marathon I’ve run, and I truly believe their double-layered awesomeness is responsible for my feet escaping the dreaded hamburger syndrome. Problem is, my trusty pair from 2007 sprouted a giant hole in one toe during a long run this year, and I haven’t been able to find them in my size anywhere. I special-ordered a pair from Wrightsock’s Web site. They arrived yesterday. Given my reaction when I opened the box, you woulda thought I’d won something.
Did I just do Motivation Monday on a Friday? I think I did.
I’ve only got one more “long” run, a 10-miler on Sunday, before I start the real tapering. Eight days to go!
Amy Reinink 
Sounds like you are so ready for this thing! Just take it easy at the beginning and don’t fight the crowds and the hill and you’ll do great!
You are doing great!!
Nice work this week with the running! Hope you have a great race!
I do almost all of my running in the Wrightsock Coolmesh double-layer socks. I swear by those things.
This dreary DC weather is making my MCM taper pretty easy.
You are very very ready!!!
How was your 10 miler today??
Focus and MCM is yours!!!
you are so ready!!! I hope you enjoy your taper week!!! You are going to rock MCM!!
Ha, you can do Marathon Motivation stuff whenever you want! it’s your blog! and I like reading about your tactics, so keep it comin’ 🙂
New socks are ALWAYS exclamation-point-worthy. I need some. And now I want the Wrightsocks!