The Last Run

This morning I completed the last training run of my “FIRST Marathon” training program.  I’ve done all I can do now.  I’m ready.  I’ve done every single one of the training runs and I’ve maintained or exceeded my target pace for every run.  I trust my training.  There is no reason that I can’t meet my goal of finishing in less than 4 hours.  I’ve trained for 3:55 but with bathroom breaks and an unknown course who knows how close I will come to that.  As long as I finish under 4 hours I will be happy.

As luck may have it there is an 80% chance of rain on Saturday.  Lovely!  It rained during most of my first half-marathon.  I ran my second half-marathon on an unnaturally freezing cold late March day in Atlanta.  I cheered Babs on in the same race the year before and she wore a tank top because it was so warm.  When I ran the same race a year later, I was freezing in my jacket and tee.

Less than ideal weather for my big race day is nothing new.  At least I can prepare myself and layer appropriately.  I just hate that I’ll have to have on a stupid visor again in my race pics LOL.  The saving grace is that the temperature is supposed to range from 58-63 during the length of the race.  That is pretty nice since the ideal marathon temperature ranges from 55-60.

My headphones died this morning before I even started my run.  I was not happy about running sans music (with only ESPN on the tube) but I’m glad it happened today and not Saturday.  I’ll have to purchase some new headphones before Saturday.  I’m a bit nervous about wearing something untested for 4 hours but what choice do I have?

I have a tough time finding the perfect headphones.  I can’t do earbuds because having sounds that close to my eardrum makes me squirm.  I’ve tried several brands of “active/sport” earphones and each pair has sucked.  Either the lack of foam irritates my ear or else the headphones themselves just die an early death.  I paid $30 for a pair of Nike active headphones (which were actually comfortable despite having no foam) and they died in a month.  Sigh.  I’m just going to buy cheap foam covered ones that will get all sweaty and die sooner than they deserve.  At least my ears won’t hurt and I won’t waste more money than necessary.

Two days until the race and my only problems are a looming deluge and broken headphones.  I’m counting myself lucky!  I’m injury free and fairly well rested.  Things could be much worse going into Saturday.  I’ll say it again, I’m ready.