The Night before the Oakland Marathon

My third marathon will be in the morning!  Hopefully, I will complete it (not get injured).

I thought my training went well until I hurt my ankle about two weeks ago and then I got sick less than two weeks ago.  The flu I got was horrible.  It caused me to work two days of work and I did not run for 6 days.  By the time I started feeling better, my ankle was okay!  So that’s one positive.

I took it easy this week running since I was still trying to get over the flu, I have stayed congested and I have had a little sore throat to date.  I feel okay though except for carrying tissue with me.  I ran four times this week, but only 3-4 miles per time.  The last two runs I tried to keep a really good pace and felt good.  So we will see how it goes.

There is a large hill (miles 5-10) and it is suppose to be hot (for me anyway).  I like running in the 50s and I think about miles 20-26.2 it will be in the mid to high 60s.  So not getting sick would have still made it tough to get a sub 4.  With the ankle and still recovering from the flu, I suspect I will end up b/n 4 and 4:30 (large range).

I plan to start off and try to keep a pace to get in under 4, but Ii don’t feel great, I will just  back off and try to “enjoy” the marathon.  So my main goal is really going to be to run as much as possible.  I only want to stop if (i) I have to use the bathroom or (ii) I need water refill.  Other than that, I just want to run the 26.2 miles (even if I have to run slower than I would like).

It is amazing that soon I will have completed my third marathon (unless an injury prevents me).  That is quite amazing when in June of 2008 it was so difficult to run even 1 mile.

I started running because my dad died of cancer in late 2007.  He smoked.  I did not smoke, but I was out of shape (232 pounds).  I worked a lot (but never on my body).  I never made time to work out.  Though 7 or so years before I used to run (shorter distances and slow, but I stayed in shape).  I decided that I was getting older and I need to focus on my health (not only on running/working out but on what I eat).  I changed my diet and got in shape.  I write this so that I can remember why running is important to me.  It is part of being healthy.

I’m now going to be 40 years old soon and have a 3 month old daughter.  Being healthy is important so that I can stay active with my daughter as she grows.  I lost my dad (who was only 60) way too early because he did not take care of his health (by smoking).  So running is not just a hobby, I have to remember.  It is something I love to do, but it is about living a healthy life.  And, to complete another marathon . . . regardless of the time . . . is something to be proud of.  So I’m just going to try my best to enjoy the marathon and do the best I can.

Since this will be my first marathon as a father, here are some pictures of Brooklyn:

She is having fun in her favorite chair

Her first trip to the ocean:

 

Her feet touch the beach for the first time

In her other chair

Oh that’s not Brooklyn, Jenny what are you doing?