Going Long

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.

Great run tonight with the biggest group I've been out with in months!

Side streets were suprisingly slippy, considering that the last significant snowfall was a couple of days ago. 

Lots of enthusiasm for the RSR race on the 18th!  Thanks to all of you who have volunteered to pace me on my first 42.2k.

Only a week and a bit to go . . .

Quick 10k along the Lakeshore.

Martin Goodman Trail has been plowed, and was dry all the way down to Ontario Place.  Nice surface to run on.

A bit chilly to start, but dressed well for the duration of the run.  Wearing my windbreaker instead of my rain shell when the weather is ok, and it keeps me much more comfortable.