- The final taper run is in the books. (3 mi - 8:40 pace - and I was just getting warmed up!) The bags are packed and loaded into the car. (Notice I said bag(s) because you know I wasn't about to chance my precious running gear in my checked suitcase; carry on only!) Picked up breakfast for the coworkers to thank them for yesterday's awesome send off, now I just gotta make it thru the next couple of hours before I'm headed to OIA to board my plane for Chi-town... then it's no more work for 10 days!!!
- BUT... with no work also means a possible blog hiatus from the Redhead. *GASP*
Now don't worry my beloved readers, I have set up a few to post while I'm away and I will make sure, NO MATTER WHAT, to get a finisher post up Sunday to let ya'll know how I did, but see the thing is... (are you ready for this...) my family... doesn't have internet. (Michelle has an iPhone but that's as close as I'm going to get) *GASP* *FAINT*
I know right!?!? Seriously W.T.F?!?!
So yeah, I'll do what I can but I may or may not be M.I.A. til I return on Sunday the 18th, if you lack comments from me, I apologize in advance. Ya'll know I always think about you and lord knows I'll probably never catch up on my reader after a week of inactivity so hang tight. As for my own blog posting, as I said, I have a few things set up and of course B.o.B. will have a spectator recap of the race when she returns to Florida as well as a guest post over here to tide you over, but my race recap... may have to wait. :( - With all that being said now I just gotta stay focused on the finish line. Not that hard, considering that it's all I can think of. I spent most of the day yesterday nerding out about the marathon with Tom from Runner's Lounge via email, between all your comments regarding the weather and his further bits of advice (He's run Chicago a zillion times) I think I've officially gone from a 10 on the stress meter to a much more manageable 3-4. Thanks to everyone for your advice on all my random bits yesterday; I did some last minute shopping and my stank shoes are packed with fabric sheets in a plastic bag, I picked up some cheap gloves from Target, I have re-evaluated my race day run attire accordingly and B.o.B will be joining me for a portion of the run. *I heart her*
Listening to: U2 - It's a beautiful Day
"Don't let it slip away..."
T-MINUS 2 DAYS TIL CHICAGO!!! Peace out O-town b*tches!!! Chi-town prepare for the redheaded fury that is Redhead Running!!!
*insert battle cry here*
Happy Birthday to Tall Guy Surfing!!!
38 comments:
Go get 'em tiger!
Kick ass on the final run this morning! I'm so excited for you! Go forth and R-U-N!
...then eat lots of carrot cake and drink some BEER! Beer is good, beer is good .... is good! :-)
YAY!!! I am SO excited for you! GOOD LUCK - and have fun. You are going to do awesome!
Have fun with B.o.B. - I'm jealous you have blogging/running friends. Chicago is awesome - have a BLAST!!!
Can't wait to hear how you do!!
go get 'em!
You're running a marathon? You should write about that. :)
Good luck!
p.s. - Tom is THE BEST for marathon advice. THE BEST.
Great job on your last run! You are gonna rock it! So excited for you!
Sounds like you are all ready. Enjoy the experience, there is nothing like the feel of a first marathon. Sit back, take it in, and run your little red heart out!
Can't wait for your race recap, but B.o.B.'s will have to do in the mean time.
Be safe! :)
So exciting! You're ready for this thing! Have fun in Chicago and back in Michigan. Have some apple cider & donuts when you're there!
OH...My! So you're running this thing, for reals?! Chi-town better be ready for this readhead.
Congrats! You Rock! Have fun in your race and don't forget to thank a volunteer or two along the way!
I'm SO SO SO beyond excited for you. You've worked had and it's going to pay off big time. You only get one "FIRST" marathon so enjoy every minute... even when it hurts!
Good luck, have SO much fun and I will be rooting for you all the way.
I'll miss you!
good luck girl! we're all here cheering you on!!!! woohoo!!
Goosebumps!!!!
AMAZINg that TOm could help reduce your stress level.. PLEASE PLEASE try to get some sleep the night before. I know it will be impossible with your excitement, but TRULY it is the best thing you can do the night before your run..
Consider it the last training step...SLEEPING!!
Hugs and good luck!
safe travels and good luck!!
yeah def pack the carry on... chicago is the one time we had "mis placed" luggage! lol go figure. my friends... not mine. luckily we both had our race clothes in our carry ons but she was out all the rest of her clothes. i couldn't loan her much as she's like a foot taller than me haha.
run hard!!
Ahhhh I bet you are just shaking with excitement! I'm glad your stress levels went down to a 3-4. That photo of the finish line just made me heart beat a bit quicker! I'll be cheering from you from the west coast :)
Good luck. You're ready. Stay calm out of the starting gate and run easy ... for the next 26.2 miles. Cheers!
You are going to do GREAT!! And, you will be inspiring me through my 12 miler-- take two. I'll be thinking of you the whole time! GO REDHEAD!!!
Yay!!! I'm psyched for you; can't wait to hear all about it. You have made me decide I need a battle cry!
You will do AMAZING...enjoy your marathon and time in Chicago. I cannot wait to hear all about it!
You will be internet friendly, again, when I am running mine.
Be well, be strong and be present in this moment. You deserve greatness!
oh, and have a HUGE piece of carrot cake. I am jealous. There is a great bar in Bucktown that has 100+ bottled beers called the Map Room. If you have time, check it out. It has a great energy and environment.
Also, I always enjoy the James Hotel bar which is right off of the Magnificent Mile. It is somewhat trendy, but I have always had great service/wine.
Or, in the Intercontinental Hotel, there is Eno--which is a chocolate, cheese and wine bar. I am happy there!
Anyways, have a fantastic experience and enjoy Chicago, too. You have earned it!
have an AMAZING time and soak up every minute out there... the first marathon is SUCH an awesome experience and i hope your is just that :) i am SO excited for you!!!! have fun, do lots of celebtrating and i cant wait to hear alllll about it!
Good luck and kick some ass on Sunday!
Good luck! Enjoy every mile!
so i usually post funny [debatable] or witty [again, debatable] comments, but i'm here today to do two things; to wish you well and give you some beta/encouragement.
okay, so, well wishes first. rock this race. go out and have a blast on the course. these marathons are NOT about the race themselves, but about a celebration for all the hard work that has led up to this point. a marathon, as a metaphor for life, is all about the journey, not about the goal.
and the beta. i am here to tell you now, unless you run 26+ miles as training runs and do routine ultra distances, running the full 26.2 is going to hurt. somewhere around 18-20 the fatigue and pain will begin to set in. the mental self doubt and will to quit will begin to take hold. do NOT fear this. know that it WILL come and know that it WILL pass. keep moving, dig deep and tell yourself how much you want this finish. self talk if necessary, but don't let your mind fool you into thinking that you can't pull it off. your legs, although they'll be tired and sore, CAN and WILL do what you ask of them. that pain will be temporary and as long as you keep moving that doubt will pass, too.
we all know how hard you've trained and how much you want this finish. remember those things on the course when the going gets tough and kick this race's ass.
remember, "the harder you work, the luckier you get" and that has your name written all over it.
Good Luck :0) I'm jealous - I love Chicago!
I'm sad you are going to be away from the internets - I will miss you. BUT you're going to have a blast with your fam!
Honestly, I am so so so so excited for you! I started reading your blog approx. 16 weeks ago when you first started training and I KNOW you're going to do great!!! I cannot wait for the race recap and will be thinking of you while I do my half on Sunday!
Good luck, girlfriend!! XO
Yay, good luck, good luck. I am going to echo all of Jeff's comments above - serioulsy - there will be a time when it feels hard. Have a mantra ready to repeat to yourself. I just did my first marathon this year, and if you have any interest in reading about it, it's in my blog (probably in February). You will never forget that day!!
Best of luck this weekend!!!
(and yes.... no Internet.... double gasp!!) :)
Okay, so I'm totally breaking the "no blogs" rule right now . . . but I just wanted to make sure I got to tell you to ROCK IT OUT THERE, GIRL! I know you will run an AMAZING race, and I cannot wait to read about/hear about it in person during a run sometime soon :) Best of luck out there (although puh-lease! It's not like you need it!). Let's take the Windy City by storm (although hopefully not, like, a real storm--because that would be very, very bad)! :)
AHHHHH!! I can't wait until Sunday!!!! Goooood luck to you! I will be thinking about you for sure!!
Amanda
Reading this got me so excited for you. Good luck!!
I'm sending yo some of my energy this weekend. Use it wisely and save most of it for the last 5 miles. Can't wait to see how you did. You got this!!!
Good Luck! Safe Travels and have fun with the fam!! I can't wait to read all about the race!!
So exciting! Good luck, good luck, good luck!
YAY! Go get them! I'm set to record the Chicago Marathon on TV, I'll be looking for you! And cheering you on from another o-town.
you rock! you'll be great in Chicago. I'll see you there.
Good luck good luck good luck!
I am so excited for you!! Just thinking about it gives me butterflies. Good luck and remember to have fun!!!
Go do it! And can't wait to hear about it. Good luck and enjoy
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