OBX Marathon Go Time - Hurts So Good

The journey of a crapload of pain begins with the first step.

Bright and early Sunday morning I’ll set off on my second attempt at the noble pursuit of marathoning.  Weather looks good, gear looks good, execution on training plan looks good, knee looks bad.  Per the vast majority of advice, I have not run since Sunday.  Tuesday and Thursday I hit the gym for some light lifting and 30 minutes on the stationary bike at minimal resistance.  I’ve been icing 2-3x daily, putting a hurting on a monster bottle of Advil, doing my PT stretching every day, and rolling around on the foam roller whenever the spirit moves me.  I know this is going to hurt, but I’m pretty sure I can push through the hurt as long as I’m not doing any long-term damage.  Unfortunately I wouldn’t say I’m looking forward to this one as much as I’m looking forward to it being over.

I’m confident in my preparation, and confident in my fueling strategy.  The will is strong, but the confidence in the knee is shaky.  Not quite sure how this one is going to play out, but there’s only one way to find out.  I still want to come in under 4 hours.  We’ll see if want is enough.

If you haven’t already done so, be sure to enter my Ryders Eyewear / Gu giveaway.  Still taking entries until midnight Sunday (11/14).

Good luck to all that are lacing them up this weekend.

Run swiftly my friends.