After I ran the Orlando Half, I mentioned that I was formulating a plan for the next race but didn’t really talk about it. Mostly because I can talk all I want but when it comes to doing – eh, I don’t have that much drive to actually succeed.
I don’t know if it was the plan or luck, but I ran the Celebration race 20 minutes faster than the Orlando half and I felt great the whole time. Since the plan maybe sort of worked, I thought I’d talk about it. Basically, I wanted to focus on three things before the race:
- Lose 10 lbs. (I lost 3 lbs. Over two months. <— LOL)
- Run outside more and on the treadmill less. (Check)
- Fix my attitude. (Ehhh…nope)
So I stuck to some of the plan and that’s more than I usually do. I did significantly more running outside, which makes me work harder because I don’t have a treadmill to propel me forward. It also made my weekday runs a mile or two longer because I wasn’t going to drive out to the park for just 2 or 3 miles.
Besides my second marathon, the 3M half is the only race where I felt good the entire time. So I had a brilliant pre-race plan as well. Do exactly what I did before 3M. I know. Amazing. Somehow, that didn’t cross my mind before.
That plan was:
- Limit my workouts the week before. (Check)
I went to Crossfit on Monday, ran 2.25 miles on Thursday, and sat and stared at walls the rest of the week.
- Drink the Friday night before the race. (Work with me here.)
I used to always think drinking the week before a race was a horrible idea, but every time I do it, I have amazing races. I mentioned this to hubs and he thinks it has something to do with water retention the next day. I have no idea if that’s true, but I’m going with it. Because beer.
- Eat a burger and fries for lunch the day before. (Check)
- Eat a PB&J for breakfast the morning of the race. (Check)
I think that’s the the formula that works for me. I’ll be trying it out again for my next race on March 1. The race is on a Saturday so I guess that means I’ll have to drink on Thursday. The sacrifices I make…
Oh, and for those with morbid curiosity at what it looks like to catch a sidewalk with your face.
It looks worse than it feels and only hurts when I accidentally bump it. It’s low enough on my chin that most people think I’m either an abuse victim or ask if I have ink on my face. So yeah, it could have been in a cooler spot.
Eat:Watch:Run 
Ouch! Hope it heals quickly.
Plus you got new shoes. That had to help!
Your chin looked like me knee did. It went away 3 weeks later… lol. I can’t wait until it turns green.
Woot for BDR. I am actually not excited about it. But I’m trying to be.
It’s already yellowing. Soooo gross.
Yes! The new shoes were a big help. I’m not excited about the course for BDR, but I just ordered some new powder blue compression socks to help get me excited!
I thought you were growing a goatee.
I commented last night but your blog hates me.
So, what I said was AND you’re doing tempo runs! That is part of the plan, no? AND you’re going to quit doubting yourself and believe that you CAN run 8:57 miles and not die–or even faster! AND you’re going to stop thinking that you’re not made to run super fast because you CAN do it.
AND you’re going to find a cute outfit to wear well in advance of this race so you don’t have a freak out the night before.
Yes! Tempos are part of the plan but I don’t talk about that because then it will jinx me. Duh! But dude, I need to start looking for a damn outfit NOW. The night before Celebration was the worst. We’ll see about that other stuff. heh.
Ouch! I have to say, your plan looks perfect to me.
I think it looks like a goatee
“That’s no woman. That’s a MAN, man.”
Oh, your poor chin!
I’m really intrigued by your alcohol consumption before a race. In theory, I know it’s not good, but you’ve proven the theory wrong!
Loving the bruise. I feel like if you don’t have a good running injury… you’re not a real runner. Check that off your list too.