I’m currently training for the 2013 BMO Vancouver Marathon and am one of six official bloggers. Each week I’m providing updates on my training and experience leading up to May 5. You can read my previous posts here 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
Well, the big day is fast approaching with less only 2 sleeps to go. I’ve been enjoying the time provided with shorter runs and having a few extra days off running.
On Wednesday I had my final ‘speedwork’ session at the track, and will just fit in 1 (maybe 2) easy runs before Sunday.
Overall, I’m really happy with my training over the past 5 months and think I’ll have a chance at reaching my goal on race day, which is all I can ask. I didn’t suffer any major set-backs, and the only ‘injury’ I’ve had is a nagging IT band issue which has been tolerable, and has almost disappeared completely with the last 2 weeks of tapering.
This last week has all been about trying to stay healthy (ie, no colds like 2011!), getting lots of rest, and eating properly. The next few days I’ll probably spend some time mentally preparing by visualizing the course and the run. The early weather forecast looks like it should be sunny and hot, but I find its good to mentally prepare for any conditions so I feel there are no surprises on race morning.
The weather is actually something that is beginning to concern me as each day the early forecast seems to revise upwards with hotter and hotter predicted temperatures. It’s currently looking like it could be 20 C before I get across the finish line! Not sweltering, but when all almost my training throughout the winter has been between -2 C and 10 C, I’m not sure how my body will respond to the heat. I guess its just one more incentive to get across the finish line asap, as the temperature on Sunday is forecast to peak at 23/24C.
I’ve never stressed-out over a race before (I do these for fun, afterall), but I’m definitely more nervous and anxious than I have been for any race before, in part because of being one of the BMO marathon bloggers and having so publicly stated my time-goal. And also because of being involved in Pacer Films’ Running Vancouver web-doc. Episode 5 came out this week and shows what my final prep has been like, along with the doubts, challenges and hopes faced by the other runners:
Overall, I think being involved in these projects has pushed me to train a bit harder than I would have otherwise, and they’ve also been a lot of fun and I’m happy and lucky to have been a participant.
From Dec 1, 2012 to today, I’ve logged a total of 1195km of running. Last year in the same time I logged 1135km. So my total mileage is up slightly, but I think the quality of my training has been far improved, especially with my interval/ track workouts. My one ‘time-trial’, the Dirty Duo race in February, showed my fitness to that point was improved, and I’m hoping this will carry on through the race this Sunday.
Regardless of whether or not I hit my BQ, I’ve had a great experience at the 3 other Vancouver marathons I’ve run, and I’m sure this weekend will be no different. It will be a fun day, racing with friends and 5,000 other runners.
Thanks everyone for the support!
Bring it on.
