Up at (ahem!) 3:30 am this morning. Watched the "Spirit of the Marathon" DVD that I got for Christmas. Shoveled snow. Cleaned off the car. Washed and folded clothes. Got out for a short run.
Seeing the elite and recreational runners prepare for the Chicago Marathon on the DVD was interesting. Everyone has the same issues - whether you run a 2 hour pace or a 5 hour pace. Just getting up and out the door every morning is a triumph. Avoiding injury. Watching the weather. The training miles. Running friends. Picking up your race packet. Getting gear together on race-day morning. Personal cheering sections along the route. The Finish Line.
I'm really looking forward to my race day on the 18th. It is a milestone to run my first marathon distance, and to share it with my peeps will make it even more special.
As I taper, I realize that this is a well deserved rest. A break from the 5 days per week grind that I have been going through since mid-October. Time to savour the feeling that I'm ready. And to hope that my race-day goes well.
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