CrossFit Endurance & Ogden Marathon

My amazing friend, Lindsay, made this adorable plaque for me.

"I can do hard things" is my Mom's favorite quote/running inspiration.

She was originally planning on running Ogden Marathon (her FIRST), 

but, unfortunately got plagued with IT Band problems, and on top of that

she's been extremely sick this past week.

She's been such a trooper and has trained so hard. 

I can't wait til she recovers so we can see her cross the finish line of her first marathon!

OGDEN MARATHON is in 2 days, well, more like 36 hours (holy shit!)

and as most of you know I've been doing CrossFit Endurance for my marathon training for the last 6 weeks.

I haven't blogged much about it because I have no idea how it's going to pan out.

But here's what I do know:

 I've never been physically stronger.

I can deadlift 175lbs

I can back squat 155lbs

and front squat 145lbs

My interval training runs have been amazing.

I had no idea I could run paces in the 6 and 7 min ranges (multiple times)

let alone run sub 8 minute miles during training.

I've only run on a treadmill once in the last 6 weeks.

Working out at Elevated CrossFit has made me mentally tougher.

I know how to dig deep when times get tough.

what freaks me out a little bit...

I went from running 35 mile weeks to 10 mile weeks.

I haven't run anything longer than 6 miles in 6 weeks.

BUT...

I'd be freaking out just the same if I had continued training the way I was.

I'd still be nervous.

I'd still worry.

so... it's all good.

I'm gonna do my best to ROCK Ogden.

I've busted my ass at Elevated CrossFit and on my CrossFit Endurance runs.

I'm capable of running a sub 4:00 marathon.

Here's the plan for Saturday

Have a ROCKIN' playlist

yes... I'm a Glee and Smash fan.

Don't be a HATER

I got a massage last night. 

It was heavenly.

I feel all loosey goosey and ready to RUN!

HYDRATION is KEY

I'll be using a handheld water bottle stocked with NUUN.

I've been drinking NUUN with all of my CrossFit workouts and hydrating before, during and after my runs.

I can't decide between LemonLime or TriBerry.

hmm...

Another thing...

I want to start at the end of the pack. 

I hate the chaos of the start line.

I feel like I start out way too fast trying to dodge people.

So I'm gonna hang out at the back of the pack

and start 5 minutes (or longer) later than the gun.

plus, one of my Docs that I work for made a great point. 

You'll pass a lot more people which is a great mental/confidence booster. 

I don't want to get caught up on pace.

I will monitor myself for the 8-9 miles to make sure I don't start too fast.

But then, I'll be switching my screen on my Garmin to option 2 or 3, so that I don't get all OCD with my pace. I'll never forget last year at Utah Valley, when I crossed the half way mark after the 2 hour mark and I just knew I wouldn't hit sub 4. The rest of the race I was SO negative. It got in my head.

so... NO MORE.

Just gonna run with what's comfortable.

I know I'm capable of running sub 4, just gotta let my body do what it's supposed to do!

AND

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING!!

BLUE was the winner!!

Anyone running at Ogden, look for me!! :)

I'm hoping the TeamSparkle skirt will be a good distraction.

Runners will comment, conversations will be had, I'll forget I'm running a marathon. 

Right?! It makes sense?! (in my head)

fyi:

THIS IS LUCKY #7 MARATHON FOR ME.

It's like it's guaranteed to be the best one!

sub 4, sub 4, sub 4

alrighty...

gotta go to bed! 

It's time for me to get some major sleep! 

Ya got any more tips for me?

Are you running Ogden?