1. Paranoia, 2. The Need for Scheduling & 3. Family
I thought that I might explain some of the needs that I experience.
I am fascinated by the process of preparing for this marathon. That means telling all of my friends that frequent here about my desire. That means registering for the marathon. That means getting reservations for the event. That means training.
I have read so many accounts of other bloggers telling of their first experience. I have seen what they have done and accomplished in their lives. I am jealous of their ability to set goals and accomplish them.
I feel that I am about to prove to myself what I am capable of doing on a personal basis. Beleive me... My family, my friends, my co-workers, and even people I talk with occasionally through my work and my personal life know about this event and what it means to me!
2. The Need for Scheduling -
It doesn't help that I am the kind of individual that needs to have things scheduled. I like to get up and go to bed at the same time. I eat, run and work under a schedule. I am not very spontaneous. I use this 'ability' to increase my own experience.
Where I work, I am the dispatcher. I say that because I create the schedules that most of the facilities are cleaned under. I am good at it. It results in satisfied customers.
1. Paranoia -
Now for the paranoia. I have been checking both the Chicago Marathon Hotel website and Orbitz for information on hotels.
When I first started looking, I noticed that prices were lower than they are now. The website for the marathon shows several of the 'sponsoring' hotels as having waiting lists for rooms. Between yesterday morning and yesterday afternoon, the overall package price of what I was looking at increased by $30.00.
I wanted to have a hotel close to the finish line.
3. Family -
I wanted to get the same hotel as my brother, Clint, who has confirmed that he would be there. We have accomplished all of that.
So... This guy decided to 'Be Prepared' and go for it!
Umm... Err... I never was a boy scout, either.
Summation -
Maybe, if I ever run another marathon, I will not need to make plans like these so early, but right now I find comfort in knowing that I am ready for the trip (if not yet for the marathon).
BTW -
I ran 30.36 miles this week. That included a long run of 14.5 miles. Tomorrow is a rest day. Under sunny skies in the beautiful state of Colorado, I will attempt a jeep ride tomorrow. If the snow is still too deep, then I am ready for a casual Saturday morning drive!
I am fascinated by the process of preparing for this marathon. That means telling all of my friends that frequent here about my desire. That means registering for the marathon. That means getting reservations for the event. That means training.
I have read so many accounts of other bloggers telling of their first experience. I have seen what they have done and accomplished in their lives. I am jealous of their ability to set goals and accomplish them.
I feel that I am about to prove to myself what I am capable of doing on a personal basis. Beleive me... My family, my friends, my co-workers, and even people I talk with occasionally through my work and my personal life know about this event and what it means to me!
2. The Need for Scheduling -
It doesn't help that I am the kind of individual that needs to have things scheduled. I like to get up and go to bed at the same time. I eat, run and work under a schedule. I am not very spontaneous. I use this 'ability' to increase my own experience.
Where I work, I am the dispatcher. I say that because I create the schedules that most of the facilities are cleaned under. I am good at it. It results in satisfied customers.
1. Paranoia -
Now for the paranoia. I have been checking both the Chicago Marathon Hotel website and Orbitz for information on hotels.
When I first started looking, I noticed that prices were lower than they are now. The website for the marathon shows several of the 'sponsoring' hotels as having waiting lists for rooms. Between yesterday morning and yesterday afternoon, the overall package price of what I was looking at increased by $30.00.
I wanted to have a hotel close to the finish line.
3. Family -
I wanted to get the same hotel as my brother, Clint, who has confirmed that he would be there. We have accomplished all of that.
So... This guy decided to 'Be Prepared' and go for it!
Umm... Err... I never was a boy scout, either.
Summation -
Maybe, if I ever run another marathon, I will not need to make plans like these so early, but right now I find comfort in knowing that I am ready for the trip (if not yet for the marathon).
BTW -
I ran 30.36 miles this week. That included a long run of 14.5 miles. Tomorrow is a rest day. Under sunny skies in the beautiful state of Colorado, I will attempt a jeep ride tomorrow. If the snow is still too deep, then I am ready for a casual Saturday morning drive!
posted by CewTwo at 2:16 PM
10 Comments:
This is completely natural, Charlie. I signed up for my marathon in September and had to wait 5 months for it. It's a long journey, but it's one that you won't regret.
Putting this stuff in place now allows you to focus on your training. You've got plenty of time and you're running plenty of miles. You're going to be fine!
I love that you're all set! The training will take care of itself -without a doubt.
I'm glad that we will see you there!
Cew Two, you're going to follow a trajectory as predictable as a Mercury Launch. You are prepared, but no one will ever convince you of that. (Your only question is--sub 6 or sub sub 5 or sub 4 (hard!). But meanwhile, you'll lament you need more time, you're not ready, you should pull out. I ignore these things in 1st time marathoners b/c when the starter's gun goes off, they do fine.
Reserve your room! Chicago is a big-time marathon and there are no bargains. You have to pay your way. Double up in the room if you can, with anyone (your brother?).
Wow, Charlie -- maybe you can plan my trip, too! By the way, I quit my job today. I'll blog tomorrow! :)
:)
:)
Charlie, I think it's cool that you are so prepared. When I read you had hotel reservations already, I was like, man I need to get my act together. See, you're helping motivate the not-so-organized people like me!!
I have found registering early for a race helps me stick to a training schedule, so I do at least adhere to that method as it's worked for me in the past.
Always seems a little backwards to me.. but first you get registered for the race.. so you know you are in... then make lodging and travel reservations.
THEN you continue on with training.. And you are really ready.. well, when the gun goes off and you are running a marathon!
You are on your way.. friends cheering.
Planning ahead definitely pays off, esp. big races. Sometimes I figure out where I'm staying and how to get there even before I decide to do a race.
As for the training, really, you are coming in with a solid running base, much more than a lot of first-time marathoners. Have you decided which training program to follow?
Charlie - don't apologise! You've totally done the right thing. Now.. the plan.. As you know I've done Hal Higdon twice (and would do it again). He even has Chicago specific programs on his site. The down side of his program, I guess, would be that he doesn't include speedwork. But then he says that that is not a priority in marathon training and I think that, certainly for your first marathon, it will be more likely to hinder (ie injure) you than help. So I kind of agree with him. Your mileage base is fantastic and has been for a long time - you are ready to get into it properly. I haven't booked my flight yet - want to see some progress on this @$$%& knee but as soon as I can run 5 without pain I will be booking my trip, I promise you!
You weren't a boy scout?!
You have a great base for the marathon. And the extra time will only let you build on this. Enjoy your training!
I think it's great that you plan ahead - I also like to plan, plan, plan, as I like my surprises to be at a minimum. So, I guess I'm not the "fly by the seat of your pants" type of person either.
I started planning for a cruise 4 months in advance and later realized many folks book a year in advance! those people are the ones with the best prices and rooms - and I think big marathons work similar, per Peter's comment.
So, there's much to be said about planning early!
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