Finishing Touches Before Race Day

Friday night after work, I went to our local sports store with the intention of finally spending the gift certificate I've been hoarding since Christmas.  After much consideration, I decided that attempting to carry 4-5 GUs in my sports bra/shorts during the marathon was probably not my greatest idea.  I decided to pick up a SPIbelt.  I also picked up some of my fave GUs:  Espresso Love and Triberry.  As well as splurging on my absolutely FAVE Blueberry Pomegranate Roctane.  At $2.49 a piece, you know I gotta love these puppies because I'm CHEAP.

After putzing around all afternoon, I finally got myself drug out the door to do my final long run before the race--an easy 8 miler.  I decided to load up the SPIbelt with the 4 GUs I plan to carry on race day to make sure I could get it fitted properly today vs. next Sunday and figure out how the heck to wear it.

Initially I started out with the pouch on my backside.  After .1 miles I determined that was NOT going to work.  Junk in the trunk?  Um...ya, you could say that.  I adjusted the belt so the pouch was towards the back of my left hip and it seemed to sit just fine.  I also wore it low so the belt was on my waist band of my shorts in the front and just below in the back.  I'm going to make sure to body glide that area of my body very well so I don't have issues on race day.

But on to the run.  I decided to wear the Garmin, but not look at it for the run, with the exception of my mile times (I admit, sometimes I'm an obsessive Garmin watcher, typically on long runs and speed workouts).  I started the run at a very *VERY* easy pace, estimating in the range of 9:30-9:45.  Turns out the taper is doing marvelous things for my legs.  After the first two miles I consciously slowed down the pace, but the miles still flew by.

1. 9:02 2. 9:06 3. 9:25 4. 9:22 5. 9:30 6. 9:29 7. 9:33 8. 9:30

I did 8 miles in 1:15:01 for a pace of 9:22.

I did a lot of thinking about my grandma on this run.  My grandma was my bestest friend when I was little and she played a major role in raising me as a little tyke while my mom was working full time and my dad was going to school full time 2 hours away.  I've already decided to dedicate the final mile of my marathon to her (and to be honest I typically dedicate the final mile of my most major races to her).  She's a fab lady.  Seriously, I feel bad that you guys didn't get the fortune of meeting her. :)

Anyway, usually every spring I run a local race that supports breast cancer on this weekend.  My grandma passed away from cancer and this race typically falls on her birthday.  Unfortunately, because of the marathon next weekend, I opted not to run this race.  Instead this was my 8 mile run for my grandma.  Also, I noticed the other day that the pansies that were outside my apartment last fall had cropped up again and multiplied immensely.  Since they were my grandma's favorite flowers I decided to snap some photos and share them with you guys.  I'm tempted to safety pin one to my shoe for race day. :)

I just love that it looks like they have little faces. :)

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