The Apocalypse Marathon

The world is ending tomorrow and with the Korean Macarena (Gangnam Style) playing in a loop, all signs point to our demise. But first, I have a marathon to run. I sincerely hope to get this in before the apocalypse because it never hurts to have an extra piece of bling around your neck while waiting at the pearly gates or for bartering if I am at the other gates.

Tomorrow morning I embark on an attempt to complete a goal that has been on the back burner for several years; back-to-back marathons. It has been on a low, slow simmer until a logistical opportunity presented itself; almost a perfect storm, if you will. Local races on Friday and Saturday followed by a week of vacation to recover.

Friday morning is the End of the World Marathon and Saturday is the After the End of the World Marathon.

The training has been done, the preparations have been made, and the world’s greatest support team – Lady J – is rested.

Weather or Not

Weather wise, Day One looks a little easier with mild temperatures reaching 60 degrees, rising from the upper 30’s at the start. Day Two is a little warmer, has more humidity and temperatures will troll into the mid-60’s. It looks like Saturday will be very windy as well.

Basically nothing to really worry about assuming I start out easy on Day Two and hydrate appropriately to deal with the added humidity.

Plan of Action

Just like in my training runs, I plan on sandbagging Day One. But not to the point where I am not trying. One goal I have for this set of races is to ensure that neither becomes my slowest marathon.

Further, like during my training runs, I plan on walking at every mile for 15 – 30 seconds (unless I am taking in an energy gel) on Day One. Day Two will start with that same strategy, but I may abandon it depending on how I feel. On my last two double long runs, I ran the last 8-10 miles on the second day without any breaks, except for gel consumption.

Basically, I am doing exactly what I did in my training leading up to these two days. I see no reason to stray from what worked.

Looping Me In

The course is described as “four loops on hard packed dirt roads through the woods.” I think there is also a meadow in there somewhere, but no mention of Grandma’s house.

I am not fond of loop courses, but I get to see Lady J at the end of each one and it makes support much easier.

Thankful Thursday

I don’t usually participate in the “Thankful Thursday” meme, but today I am thankful for my wonderful wife, Lady J, who supports me in my marathon running, including idiotic endeavors such as running them back to back.