649 - Shit Just Got Real

649 is my new lucky number.

About 12 days ago my marathon number arrived in the post.  The day it arrived I knew it was  coming because I saw a friend post on facebook that she had hers.

Holy Crap Batman.

I've hidden it in the drawer where I stash all my race numbers.  I've checked out the course, again, that green line never seems to get any shorter.  It actually seems to go on forever.

In 23 more sleeps I'll be lining up with a few thousand other crazy people and setting off to run the 42.2km that is the 2012 Melbourne Marathon.  We finish with a half lap of the MCG.  That is pretty excting.  I'll be wearing my brightest running top to make sure Steven and the kids can spot me easily :)

The day my number arrived I headed out for an afternoon run, a quick 14km, as you do.  While I was running it hit me that I am actually going to do this.  I had to fight to hold the sobs at bay.  I thought of my little family watching me cross that finish line and it made me feel awesome.

My legs have been holding up well.  I've suffered some tightness of my ITB in my right leg, Is suspect it's a hangover from my problem right foot but with some good bend and stretch exercises, a couple of swimming sessions a week and proper dynamic stretches to warm up I am generally feeling better with each run and recovering faster.

This weekend just gone was my 30km weekend.  These long runs are marked in my diary with all my training but I kind of feel like the Saturday runs are a bit like work days.  There has been a real element of 'i don't wanna do it' but I have been getting my arse out of bed and getting out there and I have been happy with the results.

My training gets a bit mixed up and unorthodox from here on until the end.  This Sunday is the Adelaide City-Bay.  I have a time goal for this run and I'm pretty confident I'll do it because I have been hitting every 12km in under the time I am aiming for but 12km is not an ideal distance for me this Sunday. 

I'll have to throw in a longer run on Thursday this week, probably 20km, and push my longest run out until Wednesday next week.  A massive 35km, it's the longest distance I will cover before the actual marathon.

Friday next week I head to Sydney with my girls to take on Tough Mudder.  I am pumped for it.  We all are.  I suspect we will be messy on the Sunday night.  It's a messy event, it deserves a messy celebration.

Then home on the Monday and I wind up my training with shorter runs, starting around 20km and dialling it back quickly to 14km the week before.

It's coming at me oh so fast.

I think I'm ready, no, better than that, I know I am ready.

Bring It On.

Did you watch that Tough Mudder intro video?  Did it get your heart racing and make your eyes light up like me?  Want to come and do one with me next year? or Do you think I'm crazy? Make sure you check out the Moustache Man too, He is awesome.

Tatum xx