Saturday, February 19, 2011

Austin Marathon Tomorrow

I finally got to Austin after a few detours ... more on that later!  Let's just say for now that I drive all over the Midwest with my job, and I'm USUALLY pretty good with directions.

Tomorrow's the big day.  I'm a little nervous because this is probably the toughest course I've ran ... plus, I turn into a little wuss on tough hills.  But hopefully it will go well!  It's a Sunday race, which throws my schedule off a little.  It gives me an extra day of rest, which I probably need, but don't like.

I'm hoping to meet Dick Beardsley at the expo.  He was runner up in the 1982 Boston Marathon to Alberto Salazar.  If you've never read "Duel In The Sun", by John Brant - I highly recommend it.  It's one of my favorites and documents what some consider the greatest American marathon ever.

Goals for tomorrow:
  • DON'T injure myself for Boston in 8 weeks
  • Blogger meet-up with Jon from 2 Slow 4 Boston
  • RUN the whole time ... (I've walked at some point in every marathon)
  • Finish somewhere in the 3:30's (not that important, but I wanna keep improving my times overall)
  • Enjoy the entire experience
  • DON'T injure myself for Boston in 8 weeks
Thank you for all of the support everyone has given me, and especially all of the kind words!  They will give me a little boost at the end when I need it tomorrow. Well, off to drive the course about 73 times and then rest.  Your prayers and happy thoughts would be much appreciated!
... be great today! (hopefully I will tomorrow!)

27 comments:

  1. Loved duel in the sun! I must say I didn't come away with the most favorable impression of Salazar. But I did like Beardsley. Best of luck tomorrow! I hope you meet all of your goals!

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  2. Have a great race tomorrow! I hope the racing and weather gods smile on you!

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  3. Good luck tomorrow. I know you'll be great.

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  4. You be great. One suggestion....change your mindset from "Don't get injured" to "Stay healthy".

    Thanks for your comment earlier today Jim.

    BTW, your wife it great, we have decided that you guys will move to San Diego this summer. My kid will help your kid in h.s. - it's one of the best in the state.

    You guys are gonna love it.

    Wishing you a great race, Sir.

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  5. Have an awesome race Jim. You will do awesome. You always do and you're a great inspiration. Good luck!

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  6. DADDY! I'm so proud of you and all you've accomplished with running. YOu are my biggest inspiration and I know you're going to KILL IT tomorrow! =) Love you soooo much. I'm headed for the treadmill right now.. Hopefully I can "BE GREAT TODAY" on my first nine mile run ever. Hurry up and get home. I miss running with you. Love you. Good luck (not like you need it)!

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  7. Great goals! I'm sure you will do well! I look forward to hearing about it!

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  8. You are going to do awesome, good luck! I can't wait to hear about it when you're done!

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  9. Good luck tomorrow honey! Sorry I'm not there to cheer you on at the finish line but I certainly will be in spirt. You've got this! My blog was dedicated especially to you today :) Love you Babe!

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  10. Can't wait to hear all about it - have a GREAT race!

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  11. You are gonna do awesome! Already started on the prayers and happy thoughts. Rest today and eat well. See you at the finish line! (I'll be spectating, via computer of course, but I'll still be cheering for you from Michigan!)

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  12. Have an excellent race...and remember to have fun!!

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  13. have a great race! don't do anything crazy - Boston in 8 weeks!!!

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  14. I heard some about the 1982 Boston Marathon from the movie "Spirit of the Marathon", I just watched the last 10 minutes of the race on youtube. Dick Beardsley was a warrior, he gave it everything he had.

    I think your race will go great tomorrow, looks like it will be 64 degrees and cloudy? Sounds almost like perfect running weather. Just imagine the hills are flat and you'll be fine =) EMZ said it best - be great today!

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  15. GL tomorrow! Enjoy the race and the warm temps (my marathon *relay* tomorrow is supposed to be 25F with strong north winds). Can't wait to read about your race on the flip side.

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  16. Whatever you do............don't injure yourself for Boston! Good luck!

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  17. Hey--Blog surfing this evening and came across yours. Marathon tomorrow!! Nice! Best of luck. Will check back to get the report.

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  18. Good luck and you will be awesome!! Go get'r done!

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  19. Good luck! Can't wait to read all about it.

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  20. Thank you so much for all of your support and encouragement. It was a great day ... I'll post about it when I regain feeling in my legs!

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  21. Hope you had a great run!!! Sounds like the weather was favorable too.

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  22. So what happened? And how can you go from your house to Austin without stopping at my place? I mean seriously....you probably drove right by me.

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