Well the time is finally here. The week before the marathon aka the marathon jitters and second guessing yourself. I'm running the Shamrock Marathon this weekend and I keep asking myself, Did I do enough in this training cycle? Could I have done one more long run? Maybe more speed work? Last week and this week I am going through taper crazies. I feel like I need to run more, but know I shouldn’t so I have been sticking between 5-8 mile runs. The time has come to just trust in your training like they say right?
I’m sure I am not the only one that feels stressed the week before the marathon. Between looking at the weather forecast non-stop and figuring out what you should wear, to logistics of the race, parking, and how early I need to get there? I even asked my friend to take me and he says, “that is too early!” I do have a friend that lives close to the start so I am going to try to park at her house and walk to the start.
Why is it the week before the marathon your everyday life seems to be busier than normal? Between my classes and an annual St. Patrick’s Day party I feel like the marathon will be here before I know it. My friend hosts this St. Patty’s Day party every year on St. Patrick’s Day so every year it falls on a different day. In years past it was after the marathon so I would celebrate afterwards. This year it falls before the marathon which kind of is a bummer!
For those of you who don’t know the Shamrock Marathon is now a challenge like most races these days. You can run the 8k on Saturday and run the half or full on Sunday. I have two friends that always run the 8k and never have run a half. Well guess what? This year they finally chose to run the half. I do not think necessarily because they wanted to, I think it was more because they didn’t want to run the 8k the following day after the St. Patty’s Day party and that meant running the half marathon if they still wanted to be part of the popular race weekend. They have FOMO too apparently!
I am looking forward to this coming weekend, but more important I think I am looking forward to afterwards so I can relax and not keep up with a training plan and I can just run when I want to and not feel like I have to run x amount of miles. I will be looking forward to getting a new pair of shoes too! This will be my second marathon I have run in these within 4 months. I am so bad at rotating shoes! I need to start.
How do you handle stress the week before a marathon?
Do you have taper crazies?
I don't rotate shoes either. I wear the same pair for about 3-4 months, until it's time for a new pair. I have enough trouble remembering when I started those much less remembering to rotate amongst multiple pairs!
ReplyDeleteThe week before a marathon always messes with my head. I'm sending you calm vibes, fast feed, and snow melting powers!
Thanks Wendy! I am glad I am not the only one that doesn't rotate. Luckily my watch knows how many miles I have gone on my shoes so I can look it up on Garmin Connect!
DeleteHave so much fun, lacey! I'm bad at rotating shoes too...in fact, I need to do that now! The party sounds like fun! Enjoy!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! It will be great seeing friends I haven't seen in awhile.
DeleteHave a good time, Lacy! Do you have a goal for this race or are you running for "fun"?
ReplyDeleteI do, but I am not going to say. I do not wan to jinx myself.
DeleteGood luck with the race! It's hard not to feel stressed before a race but hopefully the busy week helps out.
ReplyDeleteHaving a busy week has helped with taking my mind off the race.
DeleteGood luck!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm not training for anything right now, but still try to rotate a few pairs of shoes. Or maybe I just have a shoe problem.. lol!
I wear different ones to the gym but never when I run.
DeleteTrust in the training - why is that so hard for runners? You've got this, Lacey. :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. I would totally arrive at the race super early. Less stress to BE there than to be trying to get there, right?
Yes I know! I need to get there early!
DeleteNo worries! You've done enough! I wear long run shoes and then a different pair for speedwork/tempo. The long run shoes get switched out maybe 4-6 weeks pre-marathon. There's nothing scientific about it since I pretty much wing it on mileage tracking. That's how I roll. Cheers to race week and kisses to your festive doggy!
ReplyDeleteI used to switch my speed work and long run shoes too but then I didn't like the ones I was running in during the speed workouts.
DeleteYou are so ready! Hope the weather cooperates and I can't wait to hear all about it
ReplyDeleteMe too! It has to be better than this past weekend!
DeleteI do rotate shoes. I usually have 3 in rotation!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely know I've done enough -- I've trained harder than I have in a long time. But since mine are racecations, the week before I live is just super crazy (that would be this week) and throw in what looks to be yet another killer snowstorm . . .
I like getting to races very early. I can do more than one potty stop if need be, parking is usually easier, and it's just less stressful that way. Good luck & I hope you have wonderful weather!
Thanks! I know getting there early is key. However, I hate all the waiting around and being in the cold.
DeleteI constantly rotate my shoes. I wear the newest for my races and older ones for training.
ReplyDeleteYou got THIS!!!!!!!!!!!
I was going to get a new pair for this race, but the longer it went the closer the race was so I thought it wasn't a good idea.
DeleteYou are going to be AMAZING - I have no doubts. NONE!
ReplyDeleteI so need to switch my shoes. I got new ones for Christmas but dont want to wear them out too soon - so havent even trained in them this year & now my old shoes are just a pain to run in. I think I'm going to start breaking them in this week. Fingers crossed.
Hope your nerves calm down this week... I hate the race jitters.
I know how you feel! When I get new shoes I don't want to wear them right away because I do not want to get them dirty...haha.
DeleteYes, trust the training! It sounds like a great race - now breathe, eat, sleep and fingers crossed for great weather!
ReplyDeleteFingers have been crossed!
DeleteI don't rotate shoes either. I'll stock up on a model I like, but I won't break another pair out until the current pair is feeling worn down. Then it's nice I've got a nice bounce in my step with the new cushioning.
ReplyDeleteYeah I should start buying them two at a time so I always have a new pair on hand.
DeleteGood luck on your race!! I hope you have great weather :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! I hope so too!
DeleteIt looks like they are not doing the Neptune Challenge (or whatever they call doing all three races). I could totally see you doing that one. You will do amazing. Can't wait to hear all about it.
ReplyDeleteYeah I didn't hear that they weren't. I wonder why. I think that still would be too much for me.
DeleteI don't rotate shoes either, and have been in my current shoes since the fall. I'm thinking it'll be time soon to get a new pair and start breaking them in.
ReplyDeleteAs for race weekend, I'm excited to cheer you on! Hopefully you'll have great weather!
Thanks Kathryn. I am excited too and hope for nice weather!I hear it is going to be windy. Not surprising, it always is during that race.
DeleteI've heard such good things about Shamrock! You know you have done all the training you need to do. Just don't celebrate St. Patrick's day TOO much!
ReplyDeleteHaha, I know. I will try not to! Wish the party was after the race!
DeleteIf I get nervous before a 10k I can only imagine the nerves you must be feeling now! Just remind yourself you really have done everything you can for this race and the tapering is good for you. Best of luck! Will be sure to come back and check how it went! Good luck xx
ReplyDeleteI know I just need to relax. Heck it has been stressing me out driving down that main road all week since the sign and porta potties have been out....lol
DeleteThe hardest part of taper is the mental stuff! I always seem to doubt myself and my training, too, but I think you must know deep inside that you're ready!! I can't wait to read about it :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Ali! I know, most of it is mental!
DeleteGood luck! I find the week before a marathon is jittery (because all is done at that point, you have what you have), but it's also kind of calming (because you have what you have LOL). I do enjoy those happy thoughts looking ahead to having no plan to dictate your life (until you find another race...) ;-)
ReplyDeleteI know. I still have the expo to get through where there will be race discounts at all the booths....haha
DeleteTrust your training! You've got this! Have a great race.
ReplyDeleteYes! Relax and trust your training, you want your legs well rested for race day. I rotate shoes all the time, I probably have too many running shoes, if that is a thing.. nah, you can never have enough!! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteYou got this! You've put in the work and are ready for whatever race day holds!I am currently rotating through so many pairs. They are all a little different too.
ReplyDelete