Really wish I had more time for posting here. So much to tell, and no time to sit and write it down. In a nutshell, things are OK. Not perfect, but still very much OK.
I’ve had a mixed go of it in my long runs. The good news is that my best long runs have been my races – awesome job at the Tune Up 18 mile race and the SI Half Marathon. My other long runs have been OK, but less than spectacular, and then my last long run, this past Sunday, was cut down to 13 miles, from a planned 21, due to the cold and windy weather, but also because of my not so fresh legs.
My legs are a bit of a concern. In the last few weeks, I’ve had issue with a shin split on the right side. Been manageable, but it is ‘there’ and I have to pay attention to it. I do not fear it giving me a hard time in the marathon, since uphills always loosen it up, especially at the start of a run, and, the New York City Marathon has one long hill to start the race! But also, I’ve had problems with my groin. I’ve had nagging groin issue for probably almost a year now, but it had not been a problem at all when running. However, last week, I somehow tweaked the right side playing softball, and it has been much worse in the last week. I’ve been resting quite a bit, working it out in the gym, icing, stretching, etc, and I seem to have it under control. Did a hard 4.6 mile run last night with no ill effects. Not so much worried about it, but a little concerned about what it will do when I’m 20 miles into the race and ready to push hard in the last miles to get myself under 4:30.
All in all, I’m in really high spirits, and very excited about marathon week. Hoping to join in on some Tweetups, or DailyMile meetups, etc, and meet some of the great people in person that I’ve met online in the last year. I’m also really going to try to savor the week and race, as I do not intend to run this marathon for at least 5 years. This will be my 7th in New York City, and I will start running fall marathons in other states next year, so I can add to my state collection – which stands right now at 4 – and maybe hit 50 states sometime around when I turn 65!
Anyway, good luck to everyone out there preparing for the big race, and I’ll try to be better about posting updates here. Looking forward to the Nike Human Race on Saturday in Prospect Park, despite the rainy forecast.
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It appears that I am unfortunately not the only one suffering at the confluence of taper, minor injury, and minor illness. I skipped 5 days after a disastrous painful run (shins, quads, ankles) last Friday that cut a 7 down to 2, figuring that I’d rather lose a little conditioning than get a DNF due to injury. Yesterday’s run, while not perfect, and indeed not exactly encouraging, at least felt better.
BUT – that’s the value of a taper! You have the time to let the nagging stuff (from all the hard training you put in) take care of itself, so the marathon will feel great!
Hey Scott,
I hope your groin and shin splint issues are a bit NON-ISSUE on race day! I think you will be good to go. ***FINGERS CROSSED**
In the meantime, enjoy and savor marathon week as it is a very exciting time in the city. Even for somebody like me who will be a spectator, which is really exciting IMHO!
Perhaps, a DailyMile meet up one night for a drink to toast good luck? :O)
I have your bib # written down on my list. I wish you all the best of luck to meet your goal of under 4.30. I am so very confident in you. You have the best attitude!!!!
Good luck next Sunday! let’s hope for some decent weather!