Three Days Till CIM!

Well, this is it. Three days before the big day. I'm definitely starting to get a little nervous, then I push aside the feeling for a while, then it comes back again. I know it's normal to feel nervous about race day - after all the time, energy and commitment I've put into this training cycle. I think it would feel weird to cruise along without my heart beating a little faster. This race means a lot to me and I'm excited to see what I can do on Sunday.




I've been getting a good amount of sleep - the beginning of the week was hard and I was worried a lot about Josh (you can read about it HERE), but he is recovering so well and I think the hard part is truly behind us. Tuesday night's sleep was so solid (9.5 hours!), Wednesday was just under 8 hours and I'm determined to get a great night of sleep tonight as we are traveling tomorrow to Sacramento. It's going to be an earlier morning than usual and I don't want to feel that I'm lacking on sleep. I have found that when I get solid sleep and fit in a nap (if possible) before a big race or workout, I feel so much more confident and happy. On the other hand, it's really hard to let everything go in the evening and jump into bed... right? Moms reading this - you know what I mean. When the kids are in bed, it's my time to get so much done and yet I know I have to let it go after a certain time.

Thanksgiving food coma snuggle with one lovebug


The weather looks like it's going to awesome on Sunday. I was worried about rain 10 days out, but that has since gone away and looks like low 40's to high 50's, which is perfect weather! 

Here's what my training has looked like lately leading up to the race (48 miles last week and will be 23 miles this week before 26.2 on Sunday!):

Monday November 20th - REST DAY

Tuesday November 21st - Josh's big surgery. 6 miles from the hospital with my phone strapped to me, ringer on high in case Jerold should call. I had to make myself slow down... so glad I had my watch, cause I would think about him and then pace would go up.

Wednesday November 22nd - 10 total miles = 1 mile warm up, 8 mile progression from 7:11 - 6:39, 1 mile cool down

Thursday November 23rd - Happy Thanksgiving! 6 easy miles. I decided not to run our local turkey trot which I love. I knew I wouldn't be able to resist racing it and I wanted to follow the plan with easy miles today. We had such a wonderful day full of family, food and fun. So much to be thankful for.





Friday November 24th - 8 easy miles with 8 x :20 second pick ups. Oops, I was only supposed to do 6 pick ups... I read it wrong.

Saturday November 25th - 6 easy miles

Sunday November 26th - 12 miles at 7:40. I was happy to get this done. I pulled back on the pace and wanted to do a happy dance when I finished.

Monday November 27th - REST

Tuesday November 28th - 7 miles. 4 miles easy and then three miles at 7:03 pace. Last speed workout!

Wednesday November 29th - 5 easy miles

Thursday November 30th - 4 easy miles


Coach has sent the plan to me, I know what I have to do, what I want to do. I know that I willl pour everything I have into Sunday morning. I feel so lucky that I get to run in our state's capitol. That I'm healthly, strong and fearless. It really is a privilege to run and I'm embracing that fully. 





What I'm doing to prepare this week:

1. Sleep
2. Easy running and then stretching every day. I stopped strength work 10 days prior to race and stopped core work 4 days out (yesterday).
3. Hydration (water and Nuun, since Nuun will be on the course)
4. Starting today, I'm slowly adding in a bit more carbs - an extra piece of bread, a big bun on our homemade turkey burgers tonight, sweet potatoes, bananas.
5. Asking for more help and trying to put my feet up when I can. It's not easy with three kids, but Jerold made dinner tonight (yay!), he's been helping more with lunches and clean up this week. I'll have him drive the kids to school tomorrow...
6. Remember the many miles I have put in when I start to get nervous. I know I'm prepared to stand on the starting line.

Alright, off to check and make sure I have everything for the trip and then jump into bed. 

Oh, I almost forgot - Total miles for November = 249.46


Do awesome things.

xo,
Natalie




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