Long time reader, first time contributor...
I'm in the home stretch of my first attempt at a marathon. THE marathon. NYC. I'm so happy, scared, excited, energized, amazed, nervous that it is almost here (19 days 15 hours but who's counting).
My training has been long, as a first-timer I chose a 20 week training plan (The Beginner Marathon Program on Cool Running), and not without hiccups (I clumsily ran into the corner of a wooden box and injured my leg while goofing around. That took me out for over a week. Then I had to come back slowly. My first scheduled 20 mile run out of 2 was supposed to happen when I was in Hawaii and I only managed 10 because I was too busy being on vacation) but I feel like I am ready. After my 16 mile and 18 mile long runs I finally felt like this wasn't a crazy dream anymore but after my run on Saturday (slow as it was - Hey, I never said I was fast. I'm shooting for under 5 hours, under by seconds is fine.) I can really visualize myself doing it.
Of course, the minor annoyances continue. My shoes have more than 300 miles on them right now. Should I buy a new pair when the race is only 19 days away? And this morning my Nano died (thank goodness I had uploaded Saturday's run or I would probably have thrown myself off my balcony when the ipod died). Music is not essential but Nike+ has become my running lifeline, it's how I got to this point. So, it makes me nervous to think about going on without my running buddy recording my every step. At the very least I should buy that new Nano to save my running partner, TheMonkey, from my yammering. On our run this morning, without music to listen to, I didn't stop talking for a second.
So, what do you think? Going into the final days of my training, I have some expensive things to think about. Is it worth it to get that new ipod so I can go back to tracking my runs and striking up my power song when I need a little boost (Pump It by Black Eyed Peas)? Or should I get those new shoes tonight and start rotating them in , instead of waiting until after the big day and retiring the shoes I wore throughout training with a big sigh and thank you? Or suck it up, dig into my savings and do both?
For some side reading, see how I got here in my running posts on my personal blog. Bit of trivia: The bride in the first running post: Running Girl.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
I would recommend sticking with the shoes you have, especially if no issues on your last long run. Last thing you want to do is get new shoes and blister somewhere, etc.
Good luck!
I bought new shoes a week before the Chicago Marathon and I was ok. This was only because the shoes I'd been running in were completely flat, and I had not planned ahead. By the way, I was totally fine at the race, which was yesterday. No foot trouble due to week old shoes. The foot trouble was due to 26. 2 miles!
I actually switched shoes right before my 20-mile and was SO GLAD I did... I also got a new ipod just a few weeks before the marathon, and again, really glad I did. not saying you will regret NOT doing these things but I can't imagine you would regret DOING them...
SO EXCITED for you!!!
You have plenty of time to break in your new shoes. Going with the ones you have now puts you at risk of having your shoes die on you during your marathon. This may manifest itself in the form of achy joints or an ITB injury. You will benefit greatly from the renewed support and cushioning of a new shoe. Get it today!
I think I will get new shoes, I've been back and forth but I think I'd rather have new shoes than that feeling that I SHOULD have gotten new shoes half way through the race.
New shoes for sure! You have plenty of time to see if they'll cause blisters, and if you stick to a similar pair to the ones you have, they shouldn't feel different (except in a good way). I also HIGHLY recommend using Body Glide on your feet if blisters are an issue -- it's saved my life more than once.
Post a Comment