Sunday, September 16, 2007
I have been hesitant to blog. My negative thoughts are somehow overpowering my positive ones. The blogs I read yesterday were so positive that I decided I was a failure at this whole thing. I was glad to read Mandy's today. Yesterday I did at least 22 miles and I think, if my math is right, it was 22.2, however, I was miserable most of the time after doing Fox Bay. My mental determination is the ONLY thing that got me through. I got a late start which put me out of sorts and then I fussed and argued with me most of the way. I did Fox Bay first and then decided to do 5 intersection to boat launch trips back to back so I could avoid the whole spillway part of the run. So, I had no running partner, no ipod, and by the time I did the 5th boat launch trip, I was the lone ranger...no MM people anywhere in sight. My own fault...all of the above. After 2 boat launch to intersection trips, I decided I could only do one more...then the math told me that was not acceptable for someone running a marathon in 3 wks. So, I decided I would do the whole 5 trips but halfway through the 3rd trip, I said, "screw it" (sorry) I just don't have the energy today. I need to save my energy for the real marathon. And so it went back and forth, back and forth, the whole way. Miserable, I was. I ran quite a bit up until about mile 15 and then mostly walked the remainder. My hamstrings and calves were killing me. I was so disappointed that I could not muster up the energy to run more. All I could think of was the weather is as good as Chicago will be, I carb loaded the last 2 days (maybe last 5 days, ha-ha), got enough sleep, wearing brand new shoes, what the heck is wrong with my energy level? If I can't do 22 miles any better than this, then I am a loser when it comes to doing a marathon. It took me 6 hrs. 8 min. I wanted to be able to do the CM in the official finish time of 6.5 hrs but a miracle will have to occur for that to happen. I am afraid they will have removed the finish line before I can get there. I am afraid if I start early and my chip doesn't cross the starting line then I won't be considered a legitimate finisher and won't get a medal. I am a basket case right now...all of my insecurities are raising their many ugly heads. There are a couple of positives about yesterday's wog...a) I out-negotiated the little devil on my shoulder that kept telling me to give up. I did the mileage. b) thanks to the Endurox and cold shower, I feel great today...very little soreness. I even played a tennis match this afternoon. Back to my negatives...I am very worried about the 26.2 miles. I sure am putting a lot of hope into that cheering crowd. Please get me through it.
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9 comments:
Cheryl - you can do this - here's why:
1. It's easier with 45,000 other runners and 1.5 million people cheering you.
2. No hills!
3. You won't stop at water stops (that is worth 30 minutes - easy!).
4. Weather will be even better.
5. You will not let yourself fail.
6. You cross the finish line and you will get a medal - you don't need to start early!
I believe in you!
I believe in you, too.
You won't be alone in Chicago! Put my cell phone number (601)750-0684 in yours and if you find yourself alone and doubtful in Chicago call me. We'll figure out a way to get each other through it. I wish I had stuck with you on the boat landing route as I ended up by myself the rest of the route until I turned around with Kelvin for the last couple miles.
You can do this. You will do this. Chicago will look alot different than the boat landing route and it will make it SO much easier. I know this from my 20 miler in Denver. As bad as I felt with my back that day, it was still "fun" walking through Denver. It was a great experience -- and I was by myself.
Chicago will be wonderful!
You can do it. You leave me in the dust, just think about that! And by the way, all you have to do is finish, remember. It doesn't matter about your time. Don't beat yourself up over time. You will get a medal and have completed a marathon. That is all that matters.
Alot of people on here are not going to finish in less than 6.5 hours, but they are still marathoners. Nobody said that you have to do it in 6.5 hours to be a marathoner. And, by the way, the clock continues running until 8 hours. But, there will still be some of us who take longer than 8 hours. They are still marathoners.
Its great to have a goal in finishing in a certain time, but don't stress over it too much!
At least you know that you will finish. Some people cannot do it at all because of injuries. You are are still doing it! Don't beat yourself up over time!!!!!!!!!!
Tough Love. :)
Cheryl, I was absolutely miserable yesterday towards the end. We actually finished a mile short b/c Kim and I were hurting so badly. It's awesome, awesome, awesome that you had the guts and determination to do it on your own and without any music, too! :-) You are going to do awesome in the marathon. You have a strong determination. Those few times that Kristy had not been there, you were still able to accomplish the Saturday runs on your own. You go, girl! You have the marathon in the bag!
Cheryl, you will be fine. The way I look at it... we have done all we can do... continue on these next couple of weeks as you have been. Worrying about it all will not change anything. You will do the best you can do.. as we all will. It will be fine, whatever our time is.
Amen, to everyone's comments. You have done an excellent job in your training. Just keep flicking that little devil off your shoulder and we will have one hell of a party in Chicago!
Sheila
You CAN do this! If I had known, I would have stayed and done the landing-water stop combo. Much easier than running on spillway, arrowhead, whatever that area is called. Good news: no hills in Chicago.
You are a marathoner!!
HEY GIRL..... I believe in YOU!... 'cause... I even believe in me..... and you are doing even better! You can do this... OK... You are not aimmin' for the Kenyans (are you).. well then enough said.... Get out there and run your race.... woooooo hoooo!
You were WAYYYY betternme this week.... but I am not giving up... We ... I said WE... have come too far!
Oh girlfriend, I feel the same way you do! But we've come so far and worked so hard that our stubbornness will get us across that finish line if nothing else. Hang in there Cheryl. We've almost made it!
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