Richmond Marathon - Part 1
For the next 4 days, RunRichmond will provide a glimpse of one person’s visualization of a Marathon Experience. You will most certainly experience something different, but hopefully this will provide you some insight into what you can expect -
Arthur Ashe Center? Where is the Arthur Ashe Center? Why can’t packet pick-up be someplace familiar? I don’t even know where this place is, traffic will probably be crazy and there won’t be any parking. What a day to have all this stress. I need to chill-out. I’m running a Marathon tomorrow - it will be fine, just breathe. Let’s see - Arthur Ashe Center, 3001 N Boulevard. N Boulevard? Why does that sound familiar? I know where that street is, but I can’t place it. Oh well, punch it into the GPS. On my way to packet pick-up, maybe I’ll see some fellow Snotties there. Got my water bottle and ID, I’m golden. That’s funny this is the way to the Diamond. Good, I shouldn’t get too lost. Well, this place must be close to the Diamond, oh, you’re kidding, that’s the Arthur Ashe Center. The building right next to the Diamond. How did I not know that?
Not too crowded, glad I came early. Race number - 2545, got my chip, got my packet, got my shirt - time to shop. New shoes, new socks, new shorts, and new flavor of GU. I am totally ready for this Marathon. I will be stylin’ and profilin’ tomorrow. CUT. LET’S TRY THIS AGAIN. Race number - 2545, got my chip, got my packet, got my shirt. Nice shirt this year, so glad that the Marathon shirts are different than the other races. Excellent. Maybe there’s some bargains on some running wear, not for tomorrow - for the recovery runs next week. Hey Don, yes I’m ready for tomorrow. I’ve been drinking gatorade and water and snacking on bagels. Weather? Who cares about the weather? We’re running a Marathon tomorrow. I haven’t looked at the forecast all week - coaches said they would hunt us down and beat us if we looked at the weather.
There are MTT people everywhere. Here is a group of Neon runners. Hey Kristen, Denise, Heather, John and Brad - what’s goin’ on? Yeah, we’re ready no doubt about it. Just gonna start easy and let the race come to me. Oh well, good to see everyone. Time to roll, gonna go get some dinner with the fam and then kick back for the evening. See you around 6:30 downtown. Sleep well, ha ha
Hey, I’m home. Yeah we can go to dinner now. Ethiopian? Not what I was thinkin’, yeah, the Ethiopians are fast but we need something familiar. How ‘bout some pasta. It would be good to go to Nonna’s. We eat there all the time and I know it doesn’t bother my stomach. I know we’ve eaten pasta every night this week but this is the last night, I promise. Tomorrow night is whatever you want (as long as they serve beer)….
That was a good dinner. Little extra salt, a moderate amount of pasta and bread. Not stuffed but full. Time to put the chip on the shoe, number on the shirt and one last check of the gear. I would rather take too much than wish I had something with me. The UPS trucks are big enough to hold my backpack. Fast forward a couple of hours. The movie’s over, I’m heading to bed. I’ve got to get up and get fed and get downtown for the big day - g’night.
x:30AM - alarm is sounding. Darn I forgot to turn that off when I got up an hour ago. Wish I could have slept a bit more last night. Oh well, too late now. Time for my (insert pre-run food items here). Race number is on the beautiful GREEN shirt, d-chip is on my shoe and I am ready. One last stop in the indoor bathroom, grab my bottle of gatorade and head downtown……
Remain Calm. All is Well. You are trained and ready to go!
Trust the Training, Trust the Program, Trust your Coaches - but most of all - TRUST YOURSELF
