This is the third marathon that I’ve trained for, and by far, this is the best training cycle I’ve had. \u00a0I did have some runs where I didn’t feel great but overall, I couldn’t ask for better performance. \u00a0My last 22 miler was unexpectedly great. \u00a0Don’t get me wrong, I was winded and tired after 22 miles and wondered how I would be able to go 4 more miles if that marathon was that day, but I did what I needed to do that day. \u00a0And, usually I feel horrible after 20+ miles. \u00a0I mean usually I feel nauseous, lightheaded, very tired. \u00a0This time I felt tired of course, but not the other side effects I usually have, and that is very encouraging. \u00a0 Maybe I am finally figuring out my hydration\/fueling needs.<\/p>\n
This past Sunday I ran 15 miles up in PA, which is the longest distance I will do before marathon day, and I felt really strong on rolling hills. \u00a0I was able to keep a steady pace, close to my marathon pace. \u00a0With that, I felt pretty good about being ready for Chicago, until I heard this…..<\/p>\n
Extended Forecast for Chicago, IL<\/strong><\/p>\n Of course this forecast is 10 days away, but as of now, Weather Channel is predicting a low of 62F and high of 80F. \u00a0That’s a bit warmer than I’d like to see. \u00a0Usually for this race, Chicago has a 50F start! \u00a0Even this summer, a lot of my long runs were done with temps at 60F or below. \u00a0My slowest ones were when it was 63-65F at the start, so this does concern me, as I am not a great runner in the heat. \u00a0Some runners can tolerate heat better than others, and I am not one of them. \u00a0I guess it is a bit early to be too concerned about it being 10 days away, but I need to be prepared, as I have trained for a race to be in cooler temps. \u00a0 Some adjustments might have to be made, including pace, which could mean not obtaining a PR this race. \u00a0That would be bitter sweet, as I trained so hard, to have it snatched away from warmer weather. \u00a0That is how running goes though. We train knowing that the race could be extremely windy (especially Chicago). \u00a0We train knowing that we could see torrential down pour of rain the entire time. \u00a0We train knowing that a race could be cancelled due to weather even. \u00a0So all we can do is hope for great weather, and if we do not get that, we must do the best we can with the hand we’re dealt.<\/p>\n That is what I keep telling myself! \u00a0There will be other races to PR if it doesn’t happen here. \u00a0I will just do what I can.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This is the third marathon that I’ve trained for, and by far, this is the best training cycle I’ve had. \u00a0I did have some runs where I didn’t feel great but overall, I couldn’t ask for better performance. \u00a0My last 22 miler was unexpectedly great. \u00a0Don’t get me wrong, I was winded and tired after 22 miles and wondered how I would be able to go 4 more miles if<\/p>\n