OK, today's run was pretty sweet: I did 9 miles worth, with a 7 mile tempo run in the middle of it. 1 mile warm up, tempo run, 1 mile cool down. Good weather (Midwest crowd: I actually started off with two short sleeve shirts on, but took one off before I did the tempo portion of the run, it was just TOO warm!), challenging route, just a good run. Today, I really wanted to concentrate on my pace and I was almost successful with that. I ran from the headquaters parking lot, went through 3d SFG, took Chicken Road to McRidge and hit the hills. I concentrated all the way to the turn off point on McRidge then totally lost concentration. Here's why.
I started thinking about:
For the past three marathons - - the Marine Corps Marathon, Boston Marathon and my Boston qualifying marathon I have worn the same clothes. Same shirt (my red one, I run much faster in red), my long blue Nike shorts with the black stripe (the ones in the blog picture from the Army Ten Miler, please note, I was not wearing the red shirt because I was running for the FT Bragg Army Ten Miler team) and a pair of Thorlo short sockettes. I have had very good luck with that outfit. My dilemma is two part:
1. I have just bought three pairs of Addidas shorts, very comfortable, the appropriate length and they have a cool pocket in the back so I can put my gu packs in there. The blue shorts don't have that big of a pocket. Hmmmmmmmmmm. Should I wear my FASTEST SHORTS EVER, or the newer, flashier model?
2. I plan on writing my name on the front of my shirt so that folks can cheer me on during the race. The theory is that someone will read my shirt and say "Go Fritz!" or something like that. I also plan on writing something on there for the fine ladies of Wellesly college, because they cheer so hard for all the runners. Now, the dilemma is: Should I deface my FASTEST SHIRT EVER just so folks can cheer me on, or should I preserve my red shirt and run the risk of wearing another, less fast and lucky one during Boston?
3. I am good on the socks.
These are the things that distracted me when I made the turn on McRidge. I did manage to recover from my wandering mind and got back on track after a few miles. Despite the obvious distraction of my marathon wardrobe, I managed to turn a good tempo: 6:45 over the 7 miles, with another good negative split. If it wouldn't have been for the distraction, no telling what I would have turned.
If you have any input on my dilemma, please let me know. Quite the quandry.
On the donation front, CSM John made a hefty donation to the cause a while ago, and he got mad that I haven't mentioned him in my blog yet, so here it is. He even offered to forward my request to his church choir, which was very cool. Thanks a lot!
3 comments:
Tough problem to have...
Wear the newer, improved model of the shorts. You can never have enough room for gu...not enough means you don't get any at one of the prescribed miles.
The shirt is tougher deal. I am impartial to lucky shirts. I still have one from college that I wear every now and again...just yesterday to walk the dogs. However, I think you should preserve it. Go for the personalized running shirt. Go blow a few bucks, get one at the sports store and have THEM deface it!
luv,
j
PS. they say it will be 73 degrees here today...
My advice would be go with comfort and function. The new stuff. I usually leave the luck to the same pair of socks or earings. It too late to get used to earings, so go with socks, sweatband or visor. Aunt Faye
1) New shorts would be key since you can carry the Gu....you will want to have this for when you need it I would think.
2) I would wear the lucky shirt and pin your name on it to let folks know who you are...the cheers will be helpful when you need a lift and the mental lift of wearing the shirt is essential, too!
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