Well, I had my last real pre-race run yesterday, four easy miles. Just a 2-mile leg-stretcher on Saturday between me and the marathon.
I started in the heat of a July 4th weekend in Boston, with a run that included the Heartbreak Hills section of the marathon course, did 85 workouts over 17 weeks with just one unscheduled rest day, covered 527 miles and knocked almost 8 minutes off the time of my first Half Marathon in March. I ran while on vacation at the beach, I finished a run before 5 a.m. at my parents' house one morning so we could still leave in time to be at Busch Gardens when it opened, I ran when it was 80 degrees with 80 percent humidity and the sun was up by 6 a.m., and I ran when it was 40 degrees and still dark at 7 a.m.
I've also lost around 20 lbs. and changed jobs from the soul-crushing stress of a place where I'd really been struggling for the last 2 or 3 of the 5 years I spent there, to somewhere that (while it's only been 3 weeks) seems like a great fit where I'll be happy to spend a long time.
I want to express again how much I appreciate everyone on this thread. I really enjoy the solitude of running - it really feels like the only alone time I have in my life. But I also like having friends to share the experience with, people with great insight and humor who will deliver a pat on the back or a kick in the pants, depending on what's needed. So thanks again.
Not sure of the direct link for raceday tracking; the website (
http://www.marinemarathon.com/) says click "results" and you'll be able to get 5k splits during the race, but the link isn't live yet. If you're interested (and near your computer Sunday a.m.), I am #9857. For the record, I am planning on running the first 5k as my slowest of the entire race - the course's biggest hills, plus my desire not to go out too fast have me targeting a 24:54 (right around 8:00 pace) for that section.
Decided not to get the massage. Didn't want to stretch my wife's patience any farther, and am also firmly in "don't do anything any different this week than any other week" mode.