The night before the marathon...

I always try to get some thoughts down to help me process my training and think about my goals. I feel mostly excitement for this race! My pain level is almost zero and I feel ready to run my race. I keep thinking about the 30k and how well it went and I am going for the same experience! Even wearing the same clothes I wore! My friend and coach Jen brought me back some magnets that she hung onto during Boston! I have a rock from a good friend that says Strength that I will also carry in my back pocket. No matter what happens I know I have done everything I could up until this point. I missed very few workouts, only due to sickness or injury. I have had a solid 2 years of training and especially this last year. The last 4 months of tempo runs with Jen have brought out some more speed and she has also taught be mental tricks that I will grab onto during the race! Keeping the spreadsheet with Cherl has kept me motivated and she will be running the race as well. I feel like it is both of our turn to qualify!!

Here are my goals:

1. Everything comes together and I qualify with a sub 3:40 marathon. I am really going for a 3:38 to give me a little bit of cushion for the rolling entries to Boston. I absolutely feel capable of that time. I expect to see a 1:49 half marathon. At the 20 mile mark, Jen will join me and at the very least I plan on keeping that pace. In a perfect world I would even speed up a little. I will be starting the race at 8:20 pace and intend to keep it the whole way. I know I can do this!!!

2. If I have to slow down at some point for whatever reason, I plan to still PR. That would be anything less than 3:48:52. That PR is 7 years old! I am ready to crush it!!!

3. If something unexpected happens, I plan on finishing strong and smiling, no matter the time.

In all reality, it is Boston or Bust. I have trained for this and I know I can do it. I feel stronger than I ever have felt. I know it is in me. I know it will be hard but I can do it!

I will report back!