Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Gettin’ Excited for NYC:
The Marathon In 4 Days

First of all, I want to acknowledge and thank you all for your kind words and encouragement on my last post. As you all may have guessed, it wasn’t easy for me coming up with answers to some of the Q&A’s and in the process, expose personal details about myself that not many people outside my family and closest friends even know, but after reading through all the wonderful comments, I felt as if I made the right decision to answer each question as honestly as I can. So thank you all.

Anyway, so how is everyone doing with their running? By the way, did you know I’m running a marathon in 4 days? Nah, me neither, or at least that’s what my colleagues at work would have you believe because when I walked into the hospital on Monday, I was swamped with deadlines and projects and paperwork that were all due today! Talk about a pre-marathon buzz killer! So instead of freaking out about the weather or what I’ll be wearing on race day, I worked nonstop and way past my bedtime for two straight days. It wasn’t pretty, but everything got done, my research protocols are written, all the patients got seen, and I gave a kickass conference that left my fellow workmates speechless and begging for more. It just goes to show that even in race week, when everyone else who’s running the marathon can’t help but talk, think, and breathe the marathon, I can still contain my pre-marathon jitters and do a damn good job in my professional life when asked to.

But now that all the work is done and pertinent deadlines have past, it’s time to get excited for the New York City Marathon again. Woohoo! (Are you excited yet? If not, you should play this song and leave it running as you read through the rest of this post.)

I feel that I’m late to this game. All week, every local marathon runner has been preparing themselves physically and mentally for NYCM. Some have taken to books and magazines for inspiration. Others are talking to family and friends. Still others are keeping busy with marathon minutiae, as if they have psychic powers to predict the future. Luckily for me, I’m not most people. I don’t read books or magazines (I blame it on the lack of time); my family don’t come to races and I’ve done too many of these to pretend that I can control factors that are outside my control to guarantee a great race.

Instead, I must resort to unconventional ways to get my game face ready for race day. Below are the five things I do to get pumped for the big day:

1. Watching Dave and me cracking up over those who should just give up now.
2. Reading and re-reading race reports from years past:
a. 2007 – My First BQ (Part I, II, III, IV)
b. 2008 – My PR Report (Part I, II, III, IV)
3. Watching inspirational NYCM course videos (I, II, III)
4. Seeing how some celeb (Anthony Edwards) have chosen to train for this race (video). This is actually funny, I promise!
5. Attending a FREE Newton Running Clinic hosted by IronBrandon on 10/30 7AM at the Central Park Boathouse (Please visit his fantastic blog for more information).

Question – What do YOU all do to get excited for race day?

20 comments:

Brandon Wood said...

Thank you so much for spreading the word about the clinic!

You getting excited?! I am!!! I am aiming to be at the finish for the pros which means I only have to wait about 5 more minutes for you to show up!

BW

joyRuN said...

I think it's a good thing to not get obsessed with all the marathon details the week beforehand.

So yeay work!! ;)

Anonymous said...

Awesome job handling work. I bet your presentation was the best.

I am so excited for you. I can't wait to read all about it. I'll be thinking of you!!! Have a blast and run with great ease and speed.

Irish Cream said...

I always like to keep busy during the week of a marathon--helps keep me from getting TOO excited and going a little bit crazy!! :) Although, let's be honest . . . if that busyness starts messing with the sleep? Not okay! You are a far better employee than I ever was ;)

Glad you got all your work finished (and in an impressive fashion nonetheless!). Love your methods of getting pumped up--they're actually very similar to mine! :)

GOOOOOO LAM!!!! :)

Jen Feeny said...

Is there anything you can't do Lam? Seriously, you're a superstar!!! I couldn't even tie my own shoe laces I was so crazy out of it race week, but then again I was a newbie so I get cut a little slack right?!?! Congrats on showing everyone who's boss this week!

Sooooooooooooo excited for you!!! Sunday, Sunday, SUNDAY!

Oh and I have a little Halloween surprise for you... wait for it... :)

KILL IT SUNDAY! CAN'T WAIT FOR THE RECAP!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

way to bang out all that work! in a strange way it was prolly nice because it took you mind off the fact that NYC is so soon!

can't wait to read a recap! i'm getting pumped and i'm not even running haha. good luck!

B.o.B. said...

I think reading your race reports would get me excited! In fact, I may have to read one prior to my half on Saturday. Morgan and I certainly wish you could be there with us...

Best of luck!

BTW- thanks for getting the freakin' pointer sisters stuck in my head all day. lol!

Spike said...

work never respects the week before the marathon...stupid work. but you've got it all covered, and you are focus on killing the NYC.

great song.

Jamie said...

I think having a way to distract yourself in the week prior really helps, at least it does for me!

Good luck and have fun!!! I can't wait to read how it all unfolds for you race day.

Running and living said...

I just came across the Newton blog a few days ago. Love it. I actually like to be busy with work during taper, but mostly after. Helps with the post marathon depression. I am so excited for the NY marathon. I am planning on qualifying this year, and running it next. Are you running Boston this year? Good luck on Sunday!!! Sub3, here you come!

Chic Runner said...

I am so excited for you lam! :) You are going to have so much fun!!! And rock the course. Enjoy every moment and check your fb mail. Sorry it took me so long to respond! :/

Pandesaldreamer said...

Good Luck! I'm sure you'll do well and kick ass! The video of Anthony Edwards was funny! Edward Norton is also running the NYC marathon. I guess he's been training with some Kenyan's. Saw him on The View a few days ago about it.

Anonymous said...

Good luck this weekend! Run hard, run smart, and have fun!

Anonymous said...

Good luck! I am so excited for you and can't wait to hear all about it. Do what you know how to do, enjoy the race and trust your training. You've done everything you can and aren't asking your body to do anything you haven't trained it for. But you know that!

J said...

Isn't it great how even when you know you have a race in a few days you can complete everything that needs to get done and do a great job! It adds such a confidence boost - at least for me! Good luck with the marathon!!!

runner26 said...

i've said it before, i'll say it again: good luck on sunday!!! you know where i'll be ;)

Robert said...

Good luck on Sunday! Show that 3 hour mark who's boss.

I don't need to do anything to get excited for race weekend. In fact, I try to do things to get less excited...

Lindsay said...

i don't i mentally prep much before races in comparison. sometimes when i'm starting to feel nervous i'll look back over my training and replay the long runs in my mind, but otherwise i try to keep myself/my mind busy. this time around it wasn't too hard since i seem to never have time for anything anyway.

hope the race went well for you! thought about you throughout the weekend and haven't gotten around to stalking your results yet :)

Midwest said...

I got ready for my last race by watching Spirit of the Marathon and reading Once a Runner. That probably counts as doping.

sRod said...

Boo. I'm late to the party as usual. Gosh, I wish I had a way tog et ready for my Marathons. It usually just ends up being crossing my fingers before I meet the starting line.

 
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