As many of you know, I am a BIG Iowa Hawkeye football fan.
The Hawks are great when they play at home. The crowd really helps them out. I
have run and finished the Chicago marathon 3 times. Since I am from Chicago, it’s
like playing a home game for me. I know the area, love the scenery, and enjoy the fact
that I see my family and friends. The crowd gets me through. Even the restaurants are even familiar to me,
which rocks!
A marathon is intimidating, as it tests your physiology and
mind. It’s the supreme test of planning, execution and will power. I like to
say you have to “earn the finish line”.
This Fall I will be playing my first “away” game. It is the
Marine Corps Marathon, and I am so excited and nervous. I am nervous because the
course is different, the process will be different and I don’t know yet what to
expect. I have started my studies of the course, timing, etc. I have discovered
what they call “beat the bridge”. It means you have to reach the 20 mile mark
at a certain point or you get picked up by a bus or have to run in traffic. I
know- no joking with me on getting picked up by a bus or running in traffic J
This brings me back to a very important point. You can only
work with what you can control. I will know focus all of my efforts on myself
and conditioning. I will be ready. I will train differently. I will beat the
bridge. I like to visualize things, so it’s important to see the bridge. If you
are interested, it’s pictured below.
Hey bridge, see you in October- it’s going to be a defining
moment!
Image source:
