Lesson Learned

I've been doing some thinking since my 10K this past weekend.  I definitely learned/confirmed a few things:

1.  I like to be on time arrive early for races.  By the time I got to the starting area on Sunday morning, it was 8:55, and I still didn't have my bib pinned to my shirt or my chip tied to my shoe.  Good thing I knew some people at the start line!  It was so cold that I couldn't fasten the chip with my fingers so I had to recruit some help.  No time for the porta potties.  This Sunday, I will be at the race at least half an hour before the gun!

2.  I like to be comfortably cool while running.  Now that this beautiful fall weather is here, there's no reason to be sweating buckets at kilometer 3....unless you're overdressed.  I pulled out a long sleeve on Sunday morning, but wished I'd been in a t-shirt very quickly.  I'll be stopping at Value Village for a throw away jacket to wear at the start line and not long after for this Sunday.

3.  I like my handheld.  I wasn't sure if I wanted to carry my handheld during my marathon, so this past Sunday, I went without.  Aside from the fact that I knew the volunteers at the water stations, I'd have preferred to keep on running and drink when I need to, not when I have to because the next water stop is another 3K away.  I think I'll carry it for the first half and then maybe pass it off to the BF near the turn around.  I've had it on all of my long training runs and feel comfortable with it.

4.  I like my music, but I like my quiet time too.  On Sunday I kept my iPod off until the first water station.  This helped me keep my cool at the start line and kept me from getting caught up with those sprinting off at a much faster pace than I would be able to hold.  Once I found my groove, I put the music on.  I think I'll run in silence out of the start line on Sunday when I'll be stuck in the crowds, and want to soak it all in.  You only run your first marathon once!  I'll have my iPod charged and ready for when I need it.

5.  I like to be prepared.  Though I was up early on Sunday, I was in a mad dash to get out of the house because I had not got myself organized the night before as I usually would before a race.  Because I'll be out of town for my marathon, I'm going to pack tomorrow so I can review my packing again before leaving.  This will give me 24 hours to realize if I'm forgetting something.  (I'm really nervous I'm going to forget something!)

6.  I like being congratulated after a race.  On Sunday, I got home from my race and told the non-runner BF my time.  His response:  "Isn't that slow?"  As if!  We have since reviewed appropriate and inappropriate things to say to me when I tell him my time.  I think he'll do better this Sunday!

7.  I like Gatorade, but not Red.

8.  I like seeing friendly faces along the course.  At the 10K, I knew many runners, walkers and volunteers, so it was great to see smiling familiar faces throughout the race and feel like I had my own personal cheering stations at the water stops.  Being that my marathon is in Victoria and I'm neither from there nor live there, I don't expect to see many familiar faces along the way.  BUT, the BF still has that comment to make up for so I think it's reasonable to expect him to pop up along the sidelines every 10K or so!

It is 5 more sleeps until the marathon, but I'm leaving on Friday morning - any last minute tips on things to bring/do before the race?