All I’ve been thinking about is this Saturday.
I’M RUNNING MY FIRST MARATHON!!!
A part of me thought maybe I’d do one in my lifetime and another part of me thought there was absolutely no way. But, I’m TWO days away from attempting it.
This is my last training week. It’s crazy that the past 16 weeks have been in preparation for this moment and I can’t believe it’s coming to an end. It’s bittersweet. I’m beyond excited about the race; but, you’ll never get another first, you know? And that kinda makes me sad. But in a happy way. Am I making any sense?
I know this isn’t the end of anything. I’ve got so many crazy, fun, never-would-I-have-imagined-I-would-ever-do things coming up and I can’t wait to share them with you.
So as far as my marathon is concerned, of course I’ve been obsessing about the weather and everything else race related. I haven’t been too braggy about our beautiful Arizona weather because I know some of you are in the midst of Winterpalooza 2014, but I must admit, it’s been sooo pretty here lately. I’ve been happily running outside the past few days in shorts and short sleeved tops without a care in the world until…..THIS.
whyyyyyy??????
Steady your view on Saturday. Yes, the marathon gods have specifically chosen me to torture and torment. RAIN?? IN ARIZONA?? REALLY??
Of all the days……..
I’m trying really hard to not freak out. I mean, I’ve run in the rain before. Plenty of times.
I am not this runner.
I am this runner.
I totally researched my first marathon. There were several reasons why this one particular called out to me. One, the date. It’s in March when Phoenix is amazing, not too cold, not too crazy insane hot. Yeah…………didn’t think about rain..
The second big thing that appealed to me was this:
Helly likey.
Isn’t that a thing of beauty? I know some runners actually like hills (I’m looking at you Salt!); I’ll deal with them if/when I have to (see RnR AZ Elevation Map) but for my first 26.2 I was hoping there wouldn’t be many to tackle. This looks pretty good to me! : )
So of the two big reasons why I chose this race, at least one is a for sure thing.
Damn you fickle weather!!
–Have you ever ran a race in the rain?
–What unpredictable things have you encountered during a race?
That’s so exciting! I’ve only run half marathons and I’m also not sure if I’ll ever do a full. I really like seeing how other people tackle the challenge though! I ran one of my half marathons in a pretty decent rain storm. It wasn’t bad except for it caused some chafing in weird spots. My crew neck shirt left a weird chafe mark on my chest because the rain made it heavy and pulled it down. Good luck and hopefully you will have beautiful weather!
Thank you and I hope you do decide to run a marathon soon!! 🙂
Oh my god that is the most beautiful marathon elevation chart I’ve ever seen. I wish I was running this with you!! Fingers crossed for no rain either, but hey if it does at least it will keep you cool. 🙂 YOU’VE GOT THIS!!!
You’d totally BQ on this course!! ;D
There’s nothing quite like the jitters that come before that first marathon. I remember mine fondly as if it were just last year — every day was a new series of what-ifs and concerns, but all with the same giddy anticipation of a kid before Christmas. It was everything I wanted it to be and so much more. I get very excited (and a little envious) of people preparing for their first because it’s a momentous event that you’ll never forget.
I wouldn’t worry about a little rain. I doubt it’ll downpour on you, so just roll with the punches. And remember to have fun!
Thank you for your words–they do explain how I feel 🙂
Oh man! I hope it’s just a light drizzle and not a downpour! Either way, you are going to rock this! So excited for you!
Thank you friend!!
My racing career is pretty short so far, but no, I haven’t run a race in the rain yet! (Which is surprising because it rains all the time in PA and I think I’ve done nine 5Ks now.) My most challenging weather issue for a race so far was in January when I had to run a 5K in 10° weather. Brrrr!
Good luck in your marathon!!! 🙂
I have no idea what 10 degrees even feels like! lol!!
Thank you!!
So exciting!!! I’ve never ran a race in the rain, thankfully!
Lucky you!! Hope you’re able to keep it that way (although once would be kinda cool except not on your first marathon like me lol!)
You better be eating this week!!!!
That elevation is awesome!
I ran a half a couple years ago here in Dallas that was just miserable – in the upper 30’s/low 40’s and absolutely pouring freezing cold rain. It was horrible. But don’t worry, you live in the desert and the meteorologists can’t predict more than 15 minutes out, let alone several days!
I know it’s your first time, so I hope the course is gentle with you and it doesn’t hurt too much.
Thank you!! I’m worried about exactly what happened to you lol! But I’m still excited and it will make for a cool story regardless of the results 🙂
Good luck with the first marathon! I hope that the rain waits until after you’re done 🙂 I’m doing a 5k with my dad this Saturday and we’ll probably walk most of it because he’s more comfortable with that. The weather report this morning said it might snow on Saturday! I’m hoping it will wait until at least the afternoon.
Wow, and here I am complaining about rain and you’ve got to deal with snow! good luck!!
You’re gonna do great! I’ve never done a long race in the race (only a 5k) but I did do a 22 mile long run in the rain once. Both times I was worried about the rain, but it ended up not being a problem at all. You will do awesome, no matter the weather!
Thank you so much!
What a bummer that the one day it’s supposed to rain is race day!
Rainy races aren’t fun- but on the other hand at least you won’t be blinded like the sun, or very hot 😉
My biggest tips are to wear a trash bag until the just before the race starts, and don’t wear a lot of clothing (or you’ll chafe more). I like visors too because it keeps the rain from pelting me in the eyes.
Stay excited – soon you’ll be able to call yourself a marathoner =)
Thanks for the advice!! I can’t wait to say I’m a marathoner 😀
Good luck on your first marathon! Bring plastic bags to wrap your shoes in if they are calling for heavy rain; discard before the start. Perhaps have friends who are cheering for you hold some dry socks/shoes if you need a change mid way? It started to rain at the end of my Miami Half.. but it was so hot it felt amazing!
Thank you and def taking some extra socks! 🙂
Ok first of all, YOU’RE GOING TO DO AMAZING!!!! Second, I totally know what you mean about “you only get one first” because I just did my first half and while I was so happy to finish it, I also had that bittersweet sad feeling knowing it was over and all the future ones are just going to be regular races to me. Third, that elevation map is amazing! Fourth, maybe the rain will hold off until you’re back home? The day of my half was calling for rain too but it ended up just being cloudy during the race which is a really really good thing when it’s hot out 🙂 And to answer you last questions, I ran the Kris Kringle 5 miler 2 years ago on slippery snow and ice, and then ran it again last year in pouring FREEZING rain (it must have been 33 degrees or something just above freezing!) and I literally didn’t know how to dress for it. I was also almost late to the race and didn’t have time to run my race hoodie back to the car so I just threw that on top of my moisture wicking layers and ran. I actually PRed by 6 minutes and felt way more badass when it was over!
Thank you for the encouraging words 🙂 And whoa for running in the freezing rain–I hope I feel badass on Saturday lol, if anything, it’ll be a PR since it’s my first 🙂