Like many runners I know I am very superstitious when it comes to my pre-run routine. The foods I eat, the way I lay out my clothes, down to what socks I am wearing and whether they match my outwear. All training I ran in conditions that most likely would not be the same as race day, unless a ridiculous heat wave came through NYC in November. Two things could happen: (1) I could possibly run much faster than I had been running or (2) the shock of different weather could present other challenges. So when the opportunity to run my 20 miler in NYC presented itself, I decided it needed to happen. I treated this very much like a trial marathon-weekend run...from packing, my meals, and post-race activities.
Although the bridge on Linton has given me some hill training, I knew it wasn't really going to prepare me for the real deals. So I asked Kristen to map a route with bridges. She really delivered with four, including two from the marathon route. As the day grew closer it looked like I was also going to have to complete my first training run in the rain. Amazing how I made it through 15 weeks of training in Florida with no rain. How is that even possible?
It was cold and literally rained the entire time. We started off near Prospect Park, headed to Brooklyn Bridge, swung back around Manhattan Bridge, through several neighborhoods in Brooklyn (Park Slope, Greenpoint, Williamsburg, hipstertastic places), the Pulaski Bridge in Long Island City, and then over the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan and into Central Park just like race day. Three boroughs in just about 3.5 hours. As we rounded around the West Side the shivering set in. Apparently my "rain" jacket wasn't waterproof enough for this much rain. I couldn't really feel my fingers and the idea of two more miles just didn't seem feasible.
What I learned on this run (other than needing a better rain jacket), is that I am going to finish this race. There is a good chance that if I keep myself healthy with stretching, icing, foam rolling and sleeping, I could PR it. But even if that doesn't happen I know I am going to cross that finish line.
Monday: yoga
Continuing to do active rest days to keep my legs active.
Tuesday: 4 miles
Did a mixture of speed work, endurance and hills to keep myself interested on the treadmill.
Wednesday: 5 miles
I have a big work project looming and there was a significant amount of frustration and anxiety building, which fueled a very fast post-work run.
Thursday: travel day/rest day
Up bright and early to head to NYC, so turned this into a rest day.
Friday: yoga
I downloaded a new ashtanga series from Cody App, and although it said beginner I found it really challenging. More to come on that.
Saturday: 20 miles
Pretty much gave you the run down above, I know it is going to be a hard race...and I really just want to finish.
Sunday: yoga
Went to a studio down the street from my hotel, and essentially had a private class. More to come.
