This was not the race I wanted, but I think it was the race I needed. Full (probably emotional) recap to come.
Nashville Country Music Marathon: My 2015 Badge
Month: April 2015
Pre-Marathon Packing List
It’s HERE! We have finally reached race weekend, and hit the road tomorrow for the Country Music Marathon and Half Marathon. According to my timesheet at work, I requested the day off WAY back in October so I have been planning for this race for six months now.
To keep my thoughts organized, I have jotted down all the things I want to make sure I have in the car tomorrow as we head out. We are looking at a six hour drive, and are all confirmed with our AirBnB so all I can do now is triple check my list, eat some spaghetti and meatballs for dinner, and try to get a good night’s sleep.
Here is my (hopefully complete) packing list:
Race Gear
- Shoes (2 pair)
- Socks (2 pair)
- Sports bra
- Shorts
- Capris
- Calf sleeves
- Tank top (Team FrontRunner Singlet)
- Short sleeve shirt (Cleveland Marathon shirt or CARA Summer 6 shirt)
- Headband
- iPod + Phone
Rain Gear
- Rain jacket
- Mizuno Hat (and/or OSU Hat)
- Poncho
- Waterproof pouch for phone
Fuel
- Fuel belt
- GUs x 4 – Every 6 miles (Preferences – Mocha & Espresso for caffeine, vanilla for flavor)
- Blocks – Every 30 minutes (spaced out w/GU)
- KIND bar
- Ginger candies
- Water bottle
- Nuun Tablets
Other
- Red gaiter
- Chap Stick
- Body Glide
- REI pack for post-race
Recovery
- Foam roller
- Foot stick
- Flip flops
- Yoga capris
- Bra/Cami
- T-Shirt
- Jacket
- Banana
- Cereal bar
RnR Nashville Training: Week(s) 16-17
How I taper… Maybe too much?
Week 16
Monday: DOR
Tuesday: Spin
Wednesday: The humidest day of hills. It was horrible and great at the same time. Horrible weather, great to get used to the heat and humidity after weeks of snow running.
Thursday: Better weigh in today, and then I went for a walk after (instead of yoga)
Friday: More moving and cleaning of my apartment
Saturday: DOR
Sunday: Skipped my group run, I was not feeling well at all and slept in before work.
Week 17
Monday: 11.5 miles. This was another warm run, and I felt really sluggish at the end, but got it done!
Tuesday: Had to work early today, no spin….
Wednesday: Hills – my last group hill run before the race!
Thursday: My work schedule was wonky, so I was working until 6:00. Once work was over, I just didn’t want to do anything. I aimlessly wandered through Target and waited for it to stop raining. All in all, 2 runs this week, but I think that’s ok!
Friday: Final day of packing and cleaning at my old apartment!
Saturday: It was my last big project at work for the spring. I had a very busy day and was so happy to put the past few months behind me! A lot of successes but also a lot of anxiety!
Sunday: My last group run with my training group! 8 miles done. I’ll miss these guys, but I think we have lots of miles ahead of us. Everyone is so supportive and willing to drag each other along!
We leave on Friday for Nashville! If I have time, I’ll post my race plan (and my packing list)!
RnR Nashville Training: Week(s) 14-15
Training is winding down! As I am writing this, I have officially started to taper… and I am feeling really good about how my past few long runs have gone!
Week 14
Monday: DOR
Tuesday: I skipped my spin class, my body still needed some recovery time. I really missed the class!
Wednesday: Hills. Sadly, I didn’t take any notes on this one, other than… We ran hills!
Thursday: Bad, like really bad, like +4.0 gain at weigh in. Instead of yoga, I decided to go for a long walk.
Friday: DOR – spent the day starting to pack up my apartment for a move
Saturday: DOR – Work
Sunday: 12 miles on our really tough hill course. It was a stomach churning run for me, I did not feel good for most of the morning.
Week 15
Monday: DOR
Tuesday: Made it back to spin! Yay!
Wednesday: I had a late start at work, so I took a 2.5 mile walk today before I had to leave
Thursday: ANOTHER not so great weigh in. I ran my hills and got in another 8 miles of humid torture.
Friday: DOR
Saturday: MOVING DAY! Between 8am and 1pm, we unpacked 2 carloads of boxes, 2 couches, 2 tables, six chairs, my mattress, my clothes and countless other boxes of BOOKS.
Sunday: Second 20 miler done. On the most tired legs. With some sad tummy issues. For this run, I ran the first 10 miles with my group, and my 2nd 10 by myself. It had been awhile since I had run alone, and so it was good to make sure I had that will power in me to keep going instead of relying on my group to pull me through (which they always do). This particular course led me all the way up a huge hill, which is probably good training for what to expect during the run itself. After my cool down and stretching, I grabbed all the usual things I have after a run (chocolate milk, water, gatorade and a bagel) but I felt nauseous the entire afternoon until about 3:00. Then I had a few cocktails. And then I was asleep before 9pm.
Tapering, and it feels so good!
Running makes me ____________! 