This weekend I am…running the Arizona Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon! After 5 months of training, it’s hard to believe I’ll finally be running 26.2 miles on Sunday. I’ve been nervously excited all week and have been prepping by eating well, getting enough sleep and hydrating. At the training midpoint, I wrote about coming up with a goal range for the race. I’ve settled on a range of 4:00 to 4:15 hours. While I’d love to break the 4 hour mark and join the elusive club of sub-4 hour marathoners in my circle of family and friends, I don’t want to focus too much on that goal and not enjoy the experience. The low end of my range is within reach, but will be tough. I feel pretty comfortable I can achieve the high end of the range and still have fun doing it (if that’s possible running 26.2 miles).
The weather should be perfect – the forecast is a low of 43 with a high of 75. I typically run better when it’s a little cooler, but hate being too cold so this weather should be my sweet spot. I also developed a mantra for myself on some of my long training runs to power through when fatigue set in. “I am strong, I am fast and I kick ass.” I’ll have it on repeat on Sunday to remind myself that I’ve trained and am ready to conquer the race!
I’m taking any and all advice for a marathon rookie so please comment or email me if you have any words of wisdom to share!
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image via Pinterest (searched but couldn’t find the original source)
good luck Erica! you are more prepared mentally and physically then a lot of runners I have known in the past. I love your mantra and you will likely need it, but its sure to keep you going! what time does the race start? I’ll be thinking of you!
Good Luck!!!
Thanks Jill, hope I’m still standing on Monday!
We’ll be thinking about you guys and sending SO many positive thoughts and good vibes your way, though I know you won’t need them. Because you ARE strong and fast and you KICK ASS! How exciting to see all of your hard work and months and months of discipline and training culminate on this one day. So so so wish we could be there to cheer you on, but we’ll be watching and tracking from afar. YOU CAN DO IT!
Good Luck! Way to Livestrong!!!
Thanks Ben!
Good luck, Erica! You’re so ready for this and know you will do better than you think you could. You have been so good and diligent with your marathon training, you’ve this in the bag! I can’t wait to hear all about it!!!