October 20, 2012

Marathon eve

Well, it's the eve of my second marathon, and I'm just as terrified as I was on the eve of my first. I don't know why it's so scary--everything has been going smoothly, and I'm pretty much guaranteed to have a better race than I did in Cleveland.

This morning, Rik and I went for a short two-mile run to just see how our legs were feeling in preparation for tomorrow. We ran around my parents' neighborhood a couple of times at a 10:03/mi pace, and my legs felt great. My whole body felt good, actually, with the exception of my congested sinuses.

Then we went to Eastern Market in Detroit to browse around before going to the Expo. Eastern Market is a huge farmer's market. I love to look around at unusual and interesting foods! The only thing I ended up buying there was some tea--Michigan Cherry & Almond black tea.

After that, we went to lunch at the first place we could find before going in to the Expo. It was a little sports bar. We actually met up with Matt Johnson, who does a podcast called Runner Academy, and his girlfriend. He recently interviewed Rik and Ada on his podcast, so it was fun to be able to meet up with him for lunch.

I had a very hard time deciding what to order. There wasn't a single healthy option on the menu! I was honestly considering skipping lunch altogether, because nothing was sounding good, but then I asked what kind of soup they had, and it was a stuffed pepper soup. Beef and tomato-y broth with bits of green pepper and rice. That sounded really good, and it couldn't have been too unhealthy, so that's what I got. The soup was fantastic, so it ended up being a good choice.

After lunch, we headed over to the Expo. The Expo was ridiculous--total chaos. They had it set up so that it was like a maze with only one possible path that you had to go back and fourth through in order to get to the back where the packet pick-up is. I always like to pick up my packet first, and then browse, because if I buy something, I can at least stick it in my bag.

It took us about 10 minutes just to wind through the crowd to the packet pick-up. On the way, however, I bumped into Shannon, a reader that I met while running a race in the spring. She is running her first half-marathon tomorrow, and I chatted with her for a minute.

I finally picked up my packet. Remember how I had a little too much wine on the day that I decided to register for this race? Well, apparently, I said my name was "Runs for Cookies", because that is what was printed on my bib!
A little embarrassing, but also kind of funny :)

On the way back through the maze, I heard someone say, "Is that the cookie girl?" or something like that. When I looked, she said she reads my blog sometimes, so I said hi, but didn't get her name or anything. (So if you're reading this, please don't be shy!)

I like the shirts we got...
And the back...

When I did the 5K in Detroit a couple of years ago, the shirts were TINY. I had a medium, and had to squeeze into it. I was worried that would be the case this year, but thankfully, they were sized well. We browsed around the Expo for a little while, and then Rik and I got a couple of pictures. This was in front of a map of the course.
Normally, I don't buy shirts at Expos, but I found a hoodie that I really liked, so I ended up buying it. If you look closely, you can see the Detroit skyline, including the bridge with runners on it.

After the Expo, we went back to my parents' house to have a pasta dinner. I still hadn't cut into the cookie cake, and the kids were asking me to, so I finally cut it into wedges and gave the kids each a piece, along with the neighbor kids. I didn't eat any today, but I'm going to eat a big piece of it tomorrow after the marathon. I'll choose the piece with the most frosting, of course ;)

I have to say, I'm really happy with the way I've handled my food choices so far this weekend. I was worried I was going to go end up going way overboard, especially with the sweets yesterday, and all the baked goods at the farmer's market today. But I've counted everything I've eaten, so I've been doing well.

Tomorrow I'm going to be eating a lot, but that's because I'll be burning a lot during the marathon. After the marathon, we're going to get pizza, so I'll have pizza and wine and cookie cake tomorrow night. Almost makes all that running worth it! ;)

I'm determined to be in bed by 8:30, and it's now 8:13 as I type this, so I am going to try and get some sleep. I have to wake up at 3:00 in the morning to leave at 4:30!

53 comments:

  1. By the time you read this you will be done ... I wish you loads of luck and success! You can do it, Katie!

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  2. Good luck! Tomorrow is my second half (longest I've done). I ran my first in May, after finding your blog in January and being inspired to try for a half myself. While you run tomorrow, remember how many people you've inspired to run farther and faster :)

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  3. Good luck at the marathon! I'm sure you'll do great! I had to laugh at your bib and thought it was funny it was sponsored by an alcoholic beverage so it was only appropriate you entered it a little tipsy! ;)

    Enjoy your well earned cookie!

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  4. Good luck tomorrow! You are such an inspiration!

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  5. Good luck tomorrow!!!!!!

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  6. I'll be excited to read your post-marathon blog! Good luck tomorrow.

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  7. good luck! will be cheering for you from afar! :)

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  8. Good luck!! Can't wait to read about it!!! YOu will do fantastic!! =)

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  9. Good luck and have fun ! Can't wait to read about it tomorrow!

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  10. Sheri MontgomeryOctober 20, 2012

    Good luck, Katie. I'm so proud of you and inspired by you as well. :)

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  11. Good Luck Katie, can't wait to hear all about it :)

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  12. Good luck tomorrow! Always inspired by you, you have worked your butt off for this, I know you will do great!

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  13. You're gonna do great!!!

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  14. Have a great run!! Can't wait to read the recap.

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  15. This is awesome...have a great run! Looking forward to the recap. :)

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  16. I'm in Corral J for the 1/2. Good luck!!

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  17. I'm in Corral J for the 1/2. Good luck!!

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  18. I'm in Corral J for the 1/2. Good luck!!

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  19. I'm in Corral J for the 1/2. Good luck!!

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  20. I'm in Corral J for the 1/2. Good luck!!

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  21. Good luck tomorrow!!! I hope it goes GREAT, and I can't wait to hear all about it!!

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  22. Katie, I love how you're handling the food! It know being a binge eater, it's hard not to see it as "I get to eat all this food!" and to make excuses to eat more and more. I've been mostly binge free for awhile, and reading that gives me more hope!

    I'll be thinking of you tomorrow, and hoping I'll be a marathon runner one day!

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    Replies
    1. @Daphne...I have been on the binge too...I just admire Katie...If I had been cutting the cookie...I think I would have taken a bite.;)

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  23. Good luck tomorrow Katie!! (And Rik!) I hope it goes well and you're happy with the run. You're handling your food choices like a total WW pro! You should be seriously proud of that. You're an inspiration for sure!

    Bridgette

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  24. Good Luck to both you and Rik!!!

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  25. Good Luck Katie!!! Have a great race tomorrow and we're cheering for you!!

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  26. Good luck Katie! I'm sure you'll do amazing!

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  27. For some reason your bib made me laugh REALLY hard!

    That race shirt is really cool! That hoodie is super cool too!

    Good luck tomorrow!

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  28. My husband watches me read your blog just about every night in bed...so he also knows about your big day tomorrow. We will say a prayer for you that it all goes wonderfully, and enjoy yourself during and after :)

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  29. I'm sure it'll be awesome, have a ball - & enjoy that pizza afterwards! :D

    Like the others, looking forward to reading about it.

    Also, Runs For Cookies on your bib = awesome!

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  30. Good luck!!! I'm sure you will have a great race.
    Love your blog, hope you know how inspirational you are. Today I ran 4 miles w/out a walk break (a record for me) & it was a good run! Cannot even imagine a marathon. Today I actually ran with a friend who is the one who told me about your blog. And I think it's great this bib says Runs for Cookies. When I talk about your blog that's what I call you!:-)
    Brandi G

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  31. All the best katie! I know U will rock it.
    The name on the T-shirt is cute ;).
    And...I so want a bite of that cookie.

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  32. I LOVE that your race bib says, "Runs for Cookies" -how fabulous is that?
    Thanks for allowing us to follow your journey!

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  33. Good for you! I always enjoy reading your blogs and know how challenging it can be to know how much you REALLY need to fuel the intense effort of training and running a marathon. Rock on!

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  34. What I find most hilarious (and awesome) about your bib saying "Runs for Cookies" is that it was because you had a little too much wine when you registered! Maybe it's the whole fact that you name your cats after Friends characters but it seems like something that would be on an episode of Friends, like Ross & Rachel getting married and the mustaches with permanent marker. I think it's great.

    Best of luck on your marathon! I can't wait to read how it went!

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  35. My Diva shirt was too small. I'm so annoyed that I can't wear it proudly, and it's really cute!

    Now you have a new recipe you can recreate at home. I think I actually pinned it on Pinterest!

    Have a great race and enjoy your post-race festivities!!!

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  36. Good luck today! Will be thinking of you!

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  37. Good luck!! I had plans to come downtown and cheer on the runners but my plans changed. It looks like a beautiful day for a run :)

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  38. Good luck and run swift!!

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  39. BEST OF LUCK!! I'm rooting for you!!!

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  40. CONGRATS!!! YOU DID IT!! Great job :)

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  41. That's so awesome that you planned so well and stuck to the plan. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed by planning that I'm too exhausted to stick to the plan...

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  42. I think the name on your shirt is very appropriate; I always refer to you as the "runsforcookies girl". When you read this it will be all over. I'm so proud of you and so thankful I discovered your blog. When I first started reading it back in Jan 2012, my farthest running distance was 5 miles. Now I have run 2 halfs and will run my first(and only) full in 3 wks. You have inspired me than you will ever know and helped me because I've been on similar training plan.So thanks from a loser/runner! I know you will do great!!! Deb from TN

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  43. I love the "Runs for Cookies" on the bottom! I'm sure the spectators got a kick out of it. I am mad about the shirts! This is my third year running something at Detroit and the shirts are always small, so I finally got smart and ordered a size up. And of course this year they are sized "normally" and now mine is too big! Gaaaah.

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  44. I was a nerd and I have to say I did track you while you were running this morning!! Congrats on your time Katie!!

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  45. Hope you did great on your marathon ! You are an inspiration to me, I have 45 pounds to lose and began to run this summer... already lost 11 pounds by now and I can jogg 4.5K ! Would like to suscribe for a 10K in my town next summer :) Congrats !

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  46. LoveAnAnimalOctober 21, 2012

    Hope you had a great marathon!

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  47. What an inspiration you are! You always have my jaw hitting the floor. If it's not with your runs, it's your strength and determination with your healthy eating. I was thinking about you today, and felt the nervous excitement you feel on the day of a race. We weren't all there in person, but we sure were in spirit - cheering you on all the way! You rock, Katie!!!

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