Cautious Optimism

The night before any marathon can be wrought with anxiety.  But when the forecast is for clear skies and record breaking temperatures in the mid to high 80’s, the level of stress can reach monumental proportions.

The best approach is to adopt an extremely conservative approach relative to expectation and pace.  I recommend NOT wearing a watch as it will be more of a distraction and hindrance than an advantage.  Tomorrow is all about running within your limits and constantly making adjustments along the way.  I suspect spectators along the entire course will increase their level of support by offering more ice and water.

The goal should be to finish in ‘relative comfort’.  That will require spending more time at the water stops, incorporating frequent walk breaks and taking advantage of water hoses along the course.  Applying ice to the back of the neck helps to lower the core body temperature.  Applying sunscreen to all exposed skin will prevent excruciating pain in the latter miles of the marathon.

The sense of accomplishment will be considerable and every runner will have bragging rights forever.  Time is completely irrelevant tomorrow.  Yet the inevitable question will be, what was your time?  The best answer to that questions is…It was the time of my life!