Picking up the pace

In the midst of graduation excitement, I suppose it could be easy for me to forget that I am running my first marathon in a mere six days.  Yep, six days!  Thanks to some superior IT band pain following a 5-miler last week, I am taking my tapering super serious.  With no school and no clinic, I am stretching, foam rolling, icing, and laying on the couch like it's my job.

I've also had loads of time to contemplate with a little more thought, my marathon goals.

1. I want to finish.  Don't DNF or get picked up by the sag wagon, and I'm a finisher!

2. I want to cross the finish line running.  Even if I've been walking for miles and feel like I'm certainly in hell, I want a little push at the end even if it's only for two steps across the line.

3. I want to finish under 5 hours.  I know, I know, setting a time goal for your first marathon is like a running Bible sin.  I need a higher goal in order to push myself though.  If I don't make this one, well, I'll have a good reason to sign up for #2.

And goal three takes me into my ongoing dilemma.  Should I run my own race or join a pace group?  I know from my long runs that my pace can come and go in waves, which makes going it alone sound like a good plan.  However, I also know that I finish my long runs with 'gas in the tank', and that I rest or slow down too early.  This would be a great opportunity for a pace group to keep me moving and on track.

I'm leaning toward joining the 5 hours pace group, but I'm a little torn.  I think it would help me not go out too fast, and I would have shared support of that group throughout the race.  I also wouldn't have to constantly worry about my pace.  On the other hand, I've always been a solo runner, and that's what I'm accustomed to.  I also know, that if I can't keep pace at any point, I am going to feel defeated.  But can I really avoid a challenge for fear of failure?

Regardless of what I end up choosing though, hopefully I can say 6 days from now that I am a first time MARATHON FINISHER!

In the meantime, I'll keep carbing it up in preparation.  I've heard Red Velvet Gobs are essentially perfect racing fuel.

The Final Walk

I can't think of a better day or opportunity to put an end to my blogging hiatus.

It's a really big day in the world of ZestyNerd, with an emphasis on the 'big' and 'nerd'.  It's graduation day!  Me and 53 other people that I've spent entirely too much time with and palpated from head to toe are now Doctors of Physical Therapy.  Fair warning for anyone considering an education in PT- you touch your classmates a lot.

Me and the hubs- my rock, my shoulder, my chauffeur, my sanity.  He should receive an honorary degree just for putting up with all the anxiety, stress, tears, and more that he's endured the last 3 years!

My Mam and Pap.  Guilty- I did still have the cap on after dinner.  Whether I wanted to be congratulated by 10 women that I don't know in the restaurant bathroom or whether I was afraid of the inevitable hat head is your decision.

Just a handful of the amazing women I've gotten to meet through grad school.

And a few more!

Congrats fellow grads- we made it!