Tomorrow I'll be running in my first race, The Gasparilla Distance Classic 5+3K. It's 8 kilometers (4.9 miles) along Bayshore Boulevard here in Tampa, Florida. It's a flat, down and back course that I am very familiar with since Brian and I often run along this particular stretch of Bayshore. It's actually a very scenic run I highly recommend for anyone visiting the Tampa area!
It has been so hot here, even in the morning lately that I have been getting a bit nervous about how that might affect my ability to run tomorrow. I just checked Accuweather and it says there will be a possible morning shower tomorrow and the temperature at the starting line should be about 61 degrees - perfect running temperature! It also calls for 20 mph winds at 9 am (starting time) and since Bayshore is right on the water, prime location for wind gusts, I think this may affect a lot of people who were hoping to PR. I have run Bayshore with 20 mph winds before and let's just say it doesn't make it easy. Here's hoping it's a crosswind! Or that we have a tailwind on the return leg!
Today, in preparation for tomorrow's run I have several items to keep in mind:
First, and foremost HYDRATION! I'll be drinking good old water all day today 'til the cows come home (what does that expression even mean?!) If there is one thing I have learned in my short running career, it's that I MUST be hydrated if I expect to be able to run AT ALL. I am incredibly affected by lack of proper hydration, so I'll have my trusty water bottle in hand all day today. Let's just hope I'm never too far from a restroom :-)
FUEL! I have gotten advice from many people NOT to eat a big, crazy pasta dinner the night before the race (unless I want to have to pay a visit to the port-a-johns during my run!). I'm sure that's especially true for me because I don't really eat pasta very often at all anyways, and when I do it's in small amounts. Basically, the advice I have gotten is to eat normally in the days leading up to the race but just a slight bit more than I might ordinarily, as opposed to eating one big meal the night before. I don't know exactly what I'm having for dinner tonight, but it will be a good mix of macros: carbohydrates, protein and fat to fuel my run tomorrow morning. (I do however have tomorrow night's lunch planned for after the race: a burger and fries. It has been so long since I have eaten a hamburger so I'm rewarding myself with the promise of a nice juicy buffalo burger and some crispy fries afterwards. Can. not. wait.)
MOTIVATION! Running really is a mind game. Probably especially for me because I live inside my head so much of the time and frequently doubt myself, in a lot of aspects of life, not just running. I am SO LUCKY that Brian is going to be running with me tomorrow. He could run 5 miles in his sleep so it's really not going to be a challenge for him, but he has offered to help pace me to victory and provide some moral support and motivation during the race if I need it.
That said, the motivation has to come from within too, I can't just rely on Brian to push me along tomorrow. Tina's post this morning could NOT have come at a better time. She posted some motivational quotes for getting inspired about working out. Here are a few of my favorites:
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Check out Tina's site to see the rest of her motivational quotes, and also check it out just because it's awesome!
And last, but not least, BREATHE! Sometimes I need to remind myself to just relax and take a deep breath. It's all going to turn out OK. Whether I run the whole race or have to walk part of it, whether my tendonitis acts up or not, whether I have bunion pain or I don't, whether there is a 20 mph headwind for the entire duration of the race or there isn't...everything is actually going to be OK.
Breakfast this morning was a half a pink grapefruit, some papaya and a breakfast burrito. The picture I took is actually Brian's plate (I could never eat that much, my portion was about 1/2 the size).
The burrito was filled with scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, black beans, red and green bell peppers and onions. And I drizzled a little Mrs. Renfro's Salsa Verde inside too. Delish! Of course I had 2 big glasses of water and two cups of coffee too.
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