If I'm Not Ready Now . . .

I'm not going to be. 16 weeks or more of training. Several months before that of fundraising. The time has almost come to run the race. This last week before the race should be relatively stress free. I should be getting lots of rest, drinking lots of water, going for a few easy runs, and daydreaming about our Italian vacation that commences the day after the marathon.
Unfortunately, I'm a wreck. I'm an Ontario college teacher and we've been on strike since March 7th. We don't seem to be close to a resolution so I have know way of knowing when I'll get my next paycheck. On top of that, Peter and I have been dealing with a family crisis. I don't want to get into any details here, but we've been sad, anxious, and concerned. It's bad timing to leave the country and I'm not in the best mental state to run a major race.
However, I did say earlier that I was a basket case in the days leading up to my last marathon. Perhaps some of my feelings can be attributed to race and trip anxiety.
Yesterday, Peter and I ran our last long run before the race. It was a relatively easy 16K. We couldn't believe that it was snowing. I really thought we were done with snowy runs. The footing was okay, though, and it wasn't too cold. Hard to believe that my next Sunday run will be in shorts and t-shirt (most likely) through the streets of Rome.
This may be my last entry before the race. I'll post our results when we're home but if you'd like to know sooner, you can look up my time on the race site. The link is posted to your right. My big number is 931.

Tapering

The countdown is on. We are getting on the plane in just 9 days. The race is a week from Sunday. This past Sunday, we ran our 23K. In the pouring rain. At least it was warm. I was so chilled after, though, that a hot bath, and a hot shower, didn't quite take away the chill.
I just came back from running a tempo 6K. I think my time was pretty good, even though the inside of my left knee has been bothering me quite a bit. I'm going to try to stretch a lot more. The tapering should help too. From now on it will be relatively short runs.
More speedwork tomorrow in the farm. Last Wednesday, Peter and I decided to get it done in the afternoon while the sun was still shining. My km repeat times weren't bad: 4:13-4:14 on the downward slope; 4:24-4:26 on the upward slope. Tomorrow, I'll try to map out a flat kilometre.
I guess I'm ready to run this race. I'm just worried about the days leading up to it. Last May, when preparing to run my first race, I was a basket case. The plan is to taper, hold back the distance running, and pent up the adrenaline for the big day. I remember getting very anxious and irritable. Ready to blow. Hope I don't experience those feeling while I'm stuck on the plane. And just think, both Peter and I could be in the same state.
Taper, breath, stretch, relax. I'll try to remain calm.

State of Mind

Mind over matter. Critical to the long distance run. Yesterday I learned the hard way that if you can't get your head around it, a 32K run is brutal. I was not in the best frame of mind. The biggest emotional factor was that Peter and I were arguing. Well, not arguing actually, we were not communicating because we were not very happy with each other. A carry over from Saturday morning. This meant that communication about where to run to make up our 32K was problematic. We both wanted someone else to make the call, then we would simply follow.
When will I learn that you absolutely have to know where you are going before you start out? If not, you can't visualize the route and finishing it. The last thing you need when you set out is uncertainty, doubt, and miscommunication.
In addition to being in totally the wrong place, mentally and emotionally, the footing along the canal was treacherous. Thankfully, our route took us off the pathways when we ran in Hull and around the Governor General's but eventually we were back on the path along the canal on the Queen Elizabeth Driveway side. I said goodbye to Peter by the Pretoria Bridge and took his iPod. Peter had hurt his back on Wednesday and it was affecting his run, so he decided to call it quits. This meant I had to do another 13K by myself. The footing from Bank to Bronson was pretty much impassable. This confirmed my decision to rack up some kilometres by running in the farm, where at least I could run without fear of falling every few steps. On the way back to the Bank Street store I ran on the driveway rather than the pathway.
Even though I did many things wrong, I did get my longest run done. Peter and I are doing better, too. It always comes down to communication. Later that evening, I felt better about running and relationships as Peter and I chowed down on his most amazing ribs, polenta, and swiss chard. Peter just put the cutting board on the ottoman and we polished off two huge racks while we watched the Oscars. (Enough to feed at least a family of six.) I even washed them down with a couple of glasses of red wine. Decadent, yes. But it was a very challenging morning - mentally, physically, and emotionally. Just a few more training runs and we're on our way to Rome.