Colourful Palate

First of all, I just want to thank all of you that have been commenting and praying for my niece, which is so special to me! She’s still in ICU, but she’s a little more stable. The doctors are still running tests and trying to figure out what is going on, but everything seems to be still very in the dark. At this point, we do know that she has had two small strokes. We just keep praying and trusting God…I know He has a reason for all of this.

…I’m in awe of the fact that I’m running a marathon in five days! I’m just a little freaked out, but mostly excited. I have a feeling that it’s going to be the physically hardest thing I’ll have ever done. Bring it on!

Despite the eagerness I feel to do my first marathon, I also sense that I’m a little lost out at sea when it comes to preparing myself for it. Because of my busy schedule I only had time to train up to 18 miles, when my running program required 20. My knee has been giving me some trouble, it just feels like something in the kneecap isn’t “connecting” and it aches on and off. I’m wearing a knee brace my Uncle lent me, and it seems to be helping. And because I’m at my brother’s place, I’m not drinking the same water (I’m such a water snob…I just like my UV filtered, reverse osmosis water) eating the same food, or sleeping in my bed. Which is totally fine…I can adjust.

But…lots of thoughts and questions are swimming around in my brain. Should I be eating more carbs than protein this week…for carbs, how much is too much? I forgot to bring Vaseline for my blisters. I wonder if I’ll be able to sleep the night before. I should probably get my marathon play-list set up. What on earth am I going to do if I hit the proverbial “wall”…stretch, walk through it, or faint?

So no, I’ve never run a marathon and I really don’t know what to expect of myself once I run past my furthest of 18 miles, but I’ve been scrounging on the good ‘ole web for little tips or hints that will help me on race day. That, and with my own experience of half-marathons I’ve compiled my own list of preparations.

The Week Before:

• Drink a ridiculous amount of water. Count the glasses you have each day…there is a great little app I have that you get on your phone to help you with this…it’s called “Eight Glasses A Day”. Or you can just grab 3 or so Mason Jars and fill them all with water at the beginning of the day. Each jar is about 4 cups, so you’ll get 12 by the end of the day. A good rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces. So, for example, if you weigh 150 pounds you will drink 75 ounces (a cup is 8 ounces). Then because it’s marathon week, add a couple more cups to that. If it helps, pretend that you are fish.
• Eat more carbs. Your diet should be 70% carbs for this week.
• Cut your toenails. Didn’t think I’d ever boss you around about trimming your nails, did ya? Seriously, it’s important. It might even save you from losing a nail.
• Get rested! If possible, try to sleep just a little earlier each night. Don’t choose this week to hike up a mountain or go wall climbing for the first time. It’s just not a good idea. If you can cat nap, do!
• Check out the weather on race day. If it’s going to be cold and raining (like the forecast for my race says!) you’ll want to dress accordingly.
• Eat well! Try to eat as healthy as you can. If you’re low in certain nutrients, make efforts to get in more of them…or buy a supplement. I’m low in iron (which seems to affect my energy levels) and I had planned on just ignoring that fact, but my Mom…being the lovely, nurturing woman she is, went and bought me a liquid supplement for this last week before the race. She’s amazing. I’m also trying to take some extra vitamins this week.
• Keep on with the same old. Now is just not the time to be trying spicy, new foods, working out with Jillian Michaels or wearing those new, hyped, curved up sneakers that apparently make you skinnier. Whatever. They’ll probably just give your some sore muscles.
• Plan what you’ll do and what you need on race day (next post! I’ll be expounding it…so subscribe here so don’t miss it!) It’ll save so much stress and worry if you’ve got a game plan.
• Think of things to keep you motivated when you run. Some people get really creative…I had to laugh, the other day I saw picture of a man who drew marker all over the soles of his feet “You can do it!” I was tempted…but instead, I’m planning on drawing all over my hands (which is what I did last half marathon). I wrote all sorts of things on my hands to look at when the going gets tough. I’m planning on writing my name on my bib this year so the odd spectator can cheer for me!  Find your mantra and dig it!

Do you have any tips or tricks for race day? If so, I’d LOVE to hear them!