I went to lunch with Scott Flowers a coworker at DVF. He is an runner as well. He ran 1000 miles last year! He has ran the half marathon in Nashville. He pumped me up telling me about "THE FINISH LINE" that is when the "journey" is over. He was telling me that when you see the finish line, your adreline kicks in and he want to run as fast as you can to get to the end. I can't wait for that point. It is funny that all this work and time is focus on that one moment of getting to the finish line. He recommended take the headphones out near the finish line and savor the moment. I'll do that for sure. As a training routine I imagine what it would be like to run the course and imagine what the finish line will be like. I try to do that almost on a daily basis.
I was reading my blog from when I started running. I was at 207 pounds at that time. I actually haven't lost as much weight as I thought I would (because I am eating to keep my energy going. I got down to 193 pounds about a month ago and now I am sitting at 195. Weight loss is not my goal to the training, just a benefit. That is a 12 pound weight loss since the first of November. Using the biggest loser format it is 5.80% weight loss. I am good with that. My jeans are not tight anymore. In fact they are loose. I have to make sure I wear a belt so they stay up. Pretty cool.
I have thought long and hard about do I spend the night near the finish line or do I drive up in the morning. Melinda (my sister) has offered for me to stay at her house that Friday night. They live near Nolensville. It would be closer for sure and I actually would get some sleep. The other day I emailed Mark (at the Red Cross) and he recommended staying at the hotel for the first marathon. That way I won't get drained with stress from having to get up too early and drive in. Dealing with parking, catching the shuttle, finding where I am supposed to go, etc. At the hotel, I would get up, eat energy building breakfast (loaded with carbs) and then walk down to the start line. Mark made a good point. I have invested so much time into this training that it would be smart to spend some money to make sure I get the most out of my time and conserve the energy I'll need for the race. This does make sense to me. I have invested a lot of time. I think I'll keep my reservations - The reservations are with Loews Vanderbilt just a short walk up West End to the start line. The only negative is the money. It is expensive. My thought is that if I am spending that much for a hotel room I want to be able to enjoy it with the family. I still might change my mind, but I think I'll go the safe route and stay at the hotel. We'll see what I decide.
10 years ago
