As I thought about my posts for this week, I had planned to do a post about “Final Race Thoughts” today. As the week progressed, and suddenly it was Thursday, I realized I didn’t have any profound race thoughts to share. In fact, I feel pretty much the same as I did a week ago or a month ago. The race is lingering in the near future, but for the first time I’m not overly anxious or worried.
Final Race Thoughts
I’m not sure if this is a good thing, or if it’s just due to knowing that there is nothing else that is in my control except staying mentally strong on race day. Really, I can’t control how I feel physically during the race, but I can control my reactions to those feelings by how I handle them mentally.
I know I have put in the work, and I have had probably the closest thing I could imagine to a perfect training cycle. I made my own training plan, and I owned it. I made it mine, I adjusted as necessary, and I remembered the purpose of each and every workout. I enjoyed this training, despite some of the really hard workouts (thinking back on those 800s early in training) and some rough weather (some humid runs, some runs in the pouring rain and wind, and some runs with a “real feel” of 12 degrees).
So instead of going on and on about my training and my thoughts about this race (haven’t you heard enough by now) I thought it would be fun to take a look back for a second. Three years ago yesterday (November 20th, 2011) was my very first marathon in Philly. Time hop is fun for days like this.
I also looked back on a post by my friend Alli who was my #1 spectator at my first marathon. We had planned to go there together so she could run the half, but she got hurt a few weeks before the race. She still made the trip from Boston to Philly to drive me around and cheer me on! And lucky for me she had a blog at the time and I didn’t! You can check out her recaps of that race weekend here:
And if you are looking for more info about the Philadelphia Marathon, check out this article with some tips about pacing for the course:
How To Run a Personal Record at the Philadelphia Marathon
So that’s about it! This weekend I’ll be posting my usual meal plan/prep and weekly recap posts, but I have no idea how much I’ll be posting next week due to traveling. I’m sure I will check in at some point about the race, but as always you can follow me on Instagram to see how it went.
Good luck to everyone else racing this weekend, and I’ll see ya on the other side!
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Yay and good luck! And isn’t that the thing – you are confident, you’ve really nailed your plan, you know what to expect – so really there shouldn’t be any magical insights … just the normal mix of emotions pre-race. It is really afterwards that you can reflect and put things into context … and I look forward to reading about how things go for you!
Thanks! Hopefully I will have good things to say once the race is over:) In the past I have found that I usually do better in races when I am not overly nervous, so I hope this goes the same way!
Oh you know I’m checking out that article! My only runner friend in town ran it 2 years ago and gave me some course tips, but, it’s hard to picture it unless you’ve been there before. You have a great attitude and I KNOW you’re going to do amazing! You really did have a perfect training cycle, everything went as planned. I’m nervous enough for both of us right now, believe me!
I’ve had moments where the nerves hit me, but overall Im not thinking too much about it. Not sure if thats a good or bad thing! I thought the article did a pretty good job explaining the course; thats pretty much how I remember it!
You are so ready for this race. I know you will do so well! I will be waiting to hear how it goes so keep me posted on instagram! Best of luck!
Thank you!!
I can’t wait to see how you do, I’m so excited for you and Michele!! You have had amazing training and I’ve loved reading your whole journey of training. You’ve got a fantastic attitude right now! Good luck!!!!
Thank you soo much!!
One: I’m glad the marathon is not in Buffalo.
Two: I hope you get to spend some time enjoying the city.
Three: Of course, good luck! You will be awesome!
I am so glad its not in Buffalo too!! Hopefully we will get to explore Philly a bit tomorrow!
Thanks so much!
Good luck Lisa!!
Thank you!!
Good luck this weekend!
I’m not sure why, but your comments usually got to my spam. I think thats why they don’t show up right away. But you’re not the only one, so I have been checking my spam folder and approving the comments. Sorry about that, not sure why it happens!
You sound cool, calm, and collected. You are going to rock Philly! Can’t wait to hear all about it!
Thanks Sara!!
I will be all over your Instagram waiting to hear how it goes! 🙂
You are so ready after a great training cycle! ENJOY every minute, and I hope you have a great post-race meal planned out! haha
Thank you!! Im thinking burgers or pizza:)
So excited for you, even if the thought of running a marathon at this exact minute feels like cruel and unusual punishment (then again, I’ve slept on a couch for the past 3 nights and haven’t really eaten anything in that span of time either). You’ve worked hard, chin up, relax your body, run your race. Good luck!
Well then I am glad that you don’t have to run a marathon this weekend! That does not sound like ideal circumstances at all.
Thank you!!
And I hope you’re feeling better!
You have worked your BUTT off, and I know you will do so so well! 🙂
Thank you!!
Good luck! I think it’s great that you are going in calm and relaxed – trust your training. I love the comment about how there are things you can’t control on race day, but you can control your reaction. That is something I really try to apply in all areas of my life. Good luck!!!
Hopefully I can remember that during the race:) Thank you!!
It sounds like you’re ready to kick some race butt! Have fun on Sunday!
Thank you!
Knock it out of the park! Hopefully you’ll have good weather, even with the crazy weather up in New York.
Yes I hope so too! Thank you!
Good luck, Lisa!! You’re totally rocked this training cycle. You’re going to do great!
Thanks so much!
Good luck! I can’t wait to read your race recap. You can do it!
Thank you!!
I know you’re in the right place physically and it sounds like the mental part is right there, too, so all that’s left to do is PR. Go have an awesome race this weekend! I’ll be thinking about you.
Thank you!!
Good Luck!! I felt the same going into Chicago–no profound moments, just a sense of calm and “this is it”! 🙂
That is good to know, since you ended up having a great race!! Thanks!!
So excited for you, good luck!!!
Thank you!
Have a great race! Sounds like you are more than ready to own Philly! I was a DNS there in 2011 due to injury. Wasn’t the race shirt giant?
I got a size small and its still pretty big!
Thank you!!
Have so much fun, and have an amazing time in Florida!
Thank you!
Good luck! You will do great- have fun!!!
Random question- how early have you been getting up for all your training runs?! You seem to always start them in the dark:)
Rest up tonight and kick butt!
Haha yes most of them do start in the dark. I usually get up around 5am. It just depends how long it takes me to get out the door:) Thanks!
Good luck, you will do great! Just remember you have done everything you could have possibly done during training. Now it is time to enjoy the run! I was there last weekend and saw all of it getting setup. Have fun and enjoy! Can’t wait to hear how it goes.
Thanks so much!!
Goodluck this weekend! You will do awesome at the Philadelphia Marathon.
Thank you!!
Good luck LIsa! You’ve rocked your training and should be feeling calm – you’ve got this! Go out and enjoy it. And I look forward to hearing all about it.
Thank you!!
Good luck this weekend! You worked so hard- I know it’s going to pay off 🙂
Thank you!!
Good luck– you will do great!! Have fun!
Thanks so much!!
You are going to do such an amazing job! I have loved every moment of learning about your training! You are such an inspiration to a first time marathoner like me!
Aw thank you! You are going to do amazing too!
Yey!! Good luck and HAVE FUN this weekend!!
Thank you!!:)
Awesome to hear you’re not too worried over the race – hopefully this means Sunday will be a great day 🙂 I’m sending good weather vibes (whatever that may mean. no freezing rain or snow I suppose?) and speedy thoughts your way. Time to celebrate your training!
I can’t imagine posting something so cheerful after my first marathon. I was definitely not ready to sign up for a 2nd one anytime soon after, lol.
Good luck good luck!!
Thanks for the good wishes! So far the weather looks good but Im just hoping it doest change! I don’t know how I was so cheery after my first full. I think the runners high just took over!
I think you’re in the perfect mindset for right before a race. Like you said, you’ve put in all the work and you did own that training plan! I can’t wait to hear how it goes. Best wishes for tomorrow, Lisa! 🙂
I absolutely love the name of this blog:) I think that I have told you that before because we both commented on Hungry Runner Girl (Janae Jacob’s blog). Anyways, I love wine and running too, and I look forward to reading more of your blog!
Thanks so much!:)
This is a belated good luck- hope the race went well 🙂