Well, I will be leaving for Chicago tomorrow to run the marathon on Sunday. I was planning on my aunt going with me but I got an email saying that they could not guarantee I would have two beds in my room. I called the hotel and they said that I would have only one double bed!! What?? When I booked it I booked the option of two double beds and now suddenly I don't get that? I do not understand how this is ok. I asked the hotel about a roll away bed and they said my room was so small that a roll away wouldn't fit in there!!! I thought I was going to Chicago, not New York! This is a 4-star Hilton hotel (Palmer House).
So now I canceled my aunt's flight (I had used my Southwest points to purchase it so I was able to just get all the points back. Thank you Southwest!!) and I am going alone. I realized that I have never gone to a marathon alone. I have done other length races on my own but never a marathon. There has always been someone that went with me either to cheer me on or to run with me. I am a bit bummed.
I am also bummed that the weather is not supposed to be good for the race. I received this from the race yesterday:
Plan to adjust your pace for the weather. With the potential for rain in the forecast, we encourage you to watch for wet and slick spots on the roads. Exercise additional caution during the race to account for slick surfaces and limited visibility.
Dress appropriately and consider wearing a waterproof or water-resistant outer layer. Avoid heavy cotton fabrics that absorb and retain moisture; opt for technical fabrics that shed moisture and wick water away from the body.
Bring an extra change of dry clothing for immediately after the event, including dry shoes and socks.
I checked the forecast and so far it looks like AM Thunderstorms from Weather.com.
Here is the latest from weather.com:
SUN
OCT 7 Scattered Thunderstorms
65°/61°
50% chance of rain
NE 12 mph
86% UV INDEX
Rain showers in the morning with scattered thunderstorms arriving in the afternoon. High near 65F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
I have to say I am getting less and less excited about this race!! Well, it is what it is! The weather is always that variable that you just can't change about the marathon!! You are always at its mercy!!
I am still unable to decide which shoes I want to wear for the race. Now that rain is probably going to happen I might want to change my plan. I have narrowed it down to 3 shoes but I am at that strange place where I have no sweet spot with any shoe!! I practically have a shoe store in my closet yet somehow I can't find one that is bringing bliss!
I am trying to decide between my newest shoe, the New Balance Fresh Foam which just about feels like there is nothing on your foot, my Hoka Clifton 4's and my Brooks Levitate. The Hokas have a few hundred miles on them but have gotten me through a marathon already. The Brooks I have never worn for a marathon but did some of my long runs in them. The New Balance have about 10 miles on them!!
I also have to decide which outfit will cause the least amount of chafing in the rain!! I hate rain!! Any of you who know me know how much I hate rain and cold. I love the heat. I know that heat is not good for marathons but for me rain is awful!! I would rather adjust my pace for the heat than the rain any day!
Hopefully we will all get a pleasant surprise and it won't rain during the race. Because I missed most of my runs in the past 3 weeks, the weather, and going alone, this is definitely no longer a race I am looking forward to! This is the first time I feel like I can't wait to just get it over with! If it doesn't rain then I am sure that once I get going I will have fun. Since I am not trained as I should be I might as well have fun!!!
Well, I started this post this morning and since then I did one more short run to compare my Hokas to the other two. They felt pretty good but I am not sure I want them soaked!! I think I am going to go with the New Balance because in a blind taste test (that I did myself) they feel the lightest. I might as well be super light!! I cut all my hair off too so that will probably help! You know, that counted for a lot!!
I got these tape patch things in my Runnerbox recently that I think I might try for the heck of it. I gave them to my husband thinking it was like kinesiotape but then he put them back with my stuff and I looked a little closer. It is a patch type thing you put on that is supposed to give you better mental clarity, focus and decrease mental fatigue with athletic endeavors!! Hmm...really?
Well anyway, what the heck?? I might as well stay focused in the rain! Here is a picture of the packet. I figure I will stick one to me before the race and see what happens. Let's hope I don't act crazy!!
Ok, I guess that is it for today. I am off to pack! I hope you all have a great rest of the week!
Oh, I almost forgot, I am getting some nice ideas for my 50th birthday and running. If anyone has anymore they can email me or post in the comments. Thank you to everyone who has so far!!