Making plans

Well the time has come to make the final preparations for Chicago. I’ve trained hard and long. One week from Sunday I will toe the line (with 45,000 others) and run my race.

Things begin to gather in a basket on my floor as I begin to consider what I will need for race day. There is the obvious: shoes, socks, run skirt/tights, short/long sleeved shirt, hat, jogbra, and timing chip. It’s the less obvious stuff that I am worried about. Somewhere on my computer is my packing list…

For me, the “things” are only half of it. I do believe that having a race plan is essential. I’m a bit out of practice, not having run a marathon since last June, but I’ll give it a go.

My training for this race has been far different from any other that I’ve done before. I’ve been in training since January, with a hiatus when the family was hit with tragedy. Coach has had me running long for quite some time, doing 20-ish mile runs many times over. The speedwork has been hard but I have risen to the challenge. I’ve done the work, now it is time to reap the rewards.

The Plan need not be elaborate. I plan to arrive in Chicago rested and ready to reunite with Tom’s family. I’ll get my race packet, take in a few sights, and meet up with my fellow runners on race morning.

I plan to go with the flow in the early miles (not too fast but not so slow that I can’t pull out if with ease). This will allow me to warm up. Then it will be time to put this training into action. Coach will have given me the planned strategy. I will follow it for a successful qualification for Boston.

Along the way, I’ll see my boys – DD, BoBo & YaYa will be out cheering for me along the course and at the finish line. In the end, I will be tired but energized by finally having hit my goal. I will have time to celebrate with the family prior to hitting the airport for a smooth ride home.