Day before the race

23 Feb 2008

So it’s the big day tomorrow! I think I must be a little nervous as I was wide awake this morning at 7am without even using an alarm – a good rehearsal for the real thing!

I tried to follow advice and just rest this week, but Wednesday I ventured out for just a 20 min relaxing jog and some light stretching to stop my legs from seizing up.

So, what do I need preparation wise for tomorrow? My half marathon kit consists of the following:

• The infamous and indispensable Vaseline jar for well documented reasons.
• Deep heat for around the knees  (I’ve had iliotibial band problems in the past)
• Indigestion tablets (running plays havoc with digestion, and there’s nothing worse than heartburn on a long run - I'll take one of these before the start just in case)
• 2 Water rations, 2 cereal bars (I’ll be diving into these after the first hour)
• Stop watch
• MP3 player

 
One thing that may not have occurred to you is that running for 2hours+ regularly in a pair of running shoes has a side effect: your running shoes evolve into source of extreme stinkiness. So, how do you combat that? Well, after every run I spray them with freshener and pour foot powder into them – this pretty much stops the sprouts and cabbages from growing inside.

I have been eating pasta once a day for most of the week, with generous helpings of chili, garlic, and onions (I'm hoping for some extra propulsion when I hit the hills). Friday it was a mates birthday, so the pasta was substituted for a nice hot curry!! Today I’m on a double ration of pasta to make up for it.

Well that’s pretty much it. Both Agent smith and myself are still reeling from the shock of learning about the 8k long hill at the end of the course. If it was just distance then it would be a fairly easy challenge now after all the training. Still, it makes it more interesting! A quick weather check shows that rain is still forecast for tomorrow. It was also forecast for today too, and all morning it’s been great weather, so fingers crossed!!