It wasn't pretty...but it got done.

Mother Nature socked us with temps that sent the alert level from green (Good) (really?  in what universe is that GOOD to start a marathon?) at the start (69deg) to black (Maximum) (88deg) by the time I hit mile 22.

Here is one thing I will say for now...training in the hot Texas weather does NOT mean you are prepared for a full marathon in the same conditions.  It helps to assist you in surviving, but it does not equate to a good race by any means.

More later...I am beat from 4 days of Chicago and traveling all day today.

Well here we go...
No blogging until mid-week next week!!
I am on Twitter and Facebook though, so some will have access to information :o)

Taper worm...before



Taper worm...after

Oh sure the taper worm is happy...JunieB is not!

You wait and wait and wait for the taper...and then it comes, and all you want is for it to go away...

3 miles last night, 4 today....3 tomorrow and thats it.

You know the worst part?  Its been so freaking awesome weather wise here and now you tell me NOT to run far? 

Le sigh.

Time to adjust them.

It looks to be warm and sunny in Chicago on Sunday.

Fanfreakin'tastic.

It Is October after all...

When the alarm woke me up this morning at 4:45am (which is scary anyway :o)), I immediately just felt uneasy.  I don't know if I had had a bad dream in the night, or what, but I almost just scraped the run.  I laid there for a few minutes and knew that I should run this morning (cooler temps again; closer to what we might have in Chicago) as I wanted to see if running in my usual 'warmer' weather attire was going to be bearable at the beginning (it was)...so I just re-routed my 5 mile run and cut it to 4.  This route was completely lit except maybe for 100m on the way back and I just felt a bit more at ease when I decided that. 

I don't know how to explain it, I just felt an uneasyness in my stomach about my usual route, which part of it is extremely dark and desolate, not many cars at all ... can be kinda scary sometimes when the shadows hit just right and all of a sudden instead of seeing one of you, there appears to be 2.  I dont know how that happens but it does and I always quickly look over my shoulder...

So I went out, did the 4 miles at GMP, and felt better once I got back inside the safety of my warm house.

I have definitely decided that the minimalist running attire is what will be used on Sunday, unless the weather forecast changes drastically, which I dont expect it to.  I have a throw away KW jacket to wear at the start, which I am sure will last maybe a mile into the marathon.  I of course will bring alternate as well, because heck with Mother Nature it could change on Friday or Saturday!  Wearing what I wore this morning and have all summer was perfect this morning and it was 58 and a slight breeze...a bit chilly if you're standing around, but running?  Yeah.  Still warm.  :O)

The proverbial hay is in the barn!

Well its done.  The last 'long' run before race day.

10 miles at (or below) goal marathon pace.  Was told to do 7 at that pace but with 66deg and low humidity, I just had to go for it.  And even then it was more conversational than I usually do because of the heat I just didnt chat that much.  Ran with Amber, Erin and Kelly...and honestly I usually just cant hang with Erin and Kelly and at one point I heard Kelly say "I was pushing hard to catch up" (they were actually behind us for the first 3 or so miles.

A few times I had to slow it down because I was running way too fast (below 9:30; gmp is 9:55).  My average pace came in at 9:54 for the 10 miles.  Awesome.

Went to eat, meet and greet with some of the KreW after which is always fun.  Been getting some things done around here and have a little party this evening for 2 friends that just recently got engaged.  ah love...

Come race day in Chicago, yes 9:55 or better is the goal, however, 10:18 per mile is something I dont want to go over.  That would put me over 4:30 and well...I just dont want to go over 4:30.  That would be a huge PR for me and would more accurately reflect the shape I'm in for the distance, but race day is race day.  Anything can happen and I know that.

Right now the weather looks to be warmer than I would like (51 for the low), so I am in the process of rethinking my race day attire.  Thats just too warm for a full shirt as far as I am concerned.  I will pack the original and also the 'spare' which will be what I wore this morning.  I've never run a race without a full shirt, so I'm a little apprehensive about the pictures (yes I'm vain like that)...but I would rather run in what I am comfortable in temp wise than to be miserable in the race when it becomes too warm.  Lets just say I will be doing abs EVERY day this week, possibly twice a day ;) just in case.

I've got the right foods to fuel this week without adding unnecessary bloat and puff and to keep me from eating anything I dont prepare myself...Dont want to chance eating something that will get me sick as it did the week before Houston 2009 where I was puking etc for 3 days leading up to the race, lost 6 lbs, was beyond dehydrated and had to drop all because I got a stomach thing from something I ate.

I have to say I'm as ready as I can be.  If its not my day on 10-10-10 then so be it, but it wont be because I didnt do everything right.

I've got 4 more days of light running and then we're off!  I am supposed to do 3x1 mile at gmp on Monday with a minute rest in between (5m total), but after today I think I will just do 5 and call it a day.  I suspect at least 3 of those will be close to gmp as the weather is supposed to be even cooler than it was this morning anyway.

We leave bright and early on Friday morning!  The only drawback with going with so many people I know is the pull and tug of do this, do that...I have to stay on plan and do what works for me and  no one else.

Well y'all have a great day and we'll see ya later on!

Where's Waldo Junie?

Last Sunday at the Texans vs Cowboys game...tailgating beforehand...

Hint:  Look quick and look early :O)  Can you pick me out?

oops...here we are again...in the middle of this story...on another story surrounding controversy over new tailgate rules...

And also for your viewing pleasure...yet another Eat This!  Not That!