“Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.”
Be Change Runners:
YOU HAVE DONE IT!!! You have said goodbye to can’t and you have welcomed CAN into your world! You have done the hard work and now it is time to physically relax and mentally prepare! Read through A Farewell to CAN’T one more time… let the words really sink in. As you tackle your race on Sunday, let these words run through your head.
A Farewell to CAN'T
This goodbye does not make me sad. I will not miss you. I have discovered what it feels like to do the unthinkable. The hard. The long. The challenging. You have no business here anymore. From now on, difficult will seem doable. I will see the impossible as simply not-yet-conquered.
Farewell, Can't. You will haunt me never again.
Hello, Can. Welcome to my world.
What a journey this has been
**Attached you will find 3 documents with all you need to know about race day. These documents have been updated, so if you were given a copy at the expo, be sure to use these instead! I have updated and added to them.
BE CHANGE MEETING PLACE:
We will have a Be Change meeting place near the starting line. Look for the Be Change flag at the 76 Gas Station Mini Mart.
I am so excited to meet you all!!
Fundraising: Final week! Finish strong!!
Race Tips:
Half marathon and relay runners use the same format, just adjust the miles.
First 10 Miles:
Start out slow. When you start your marathon, you'll feel strong and confident, but you must keep telling yourself to hold back. Running your first half slower than the second half (called a negative split) is the key to running a smart and enjoyable marathon. Take it slow. Your body will thank you during the second half of your marathon.
Run your own marathon. Don't be worried if you see a lot of people passing you. Remember the tortoise and the hare? They may be starting out way too fast, so you'll catch them later -- at your own pace.
Don't get too emotional. It's tempting to start high-fiving spectators and jumping up and down when you pass family members and friends. You'll have the energy to do that during the first 10 miles, but try to stay as calm as possible. You'll need to conserve your mental energy for the rest of the marathon.
Miles 11-20:
Break up the marathon. Start breaking up the race into smaller segments. It will make the distance feel more manageable. At mile 17, for example, think, "One six mile race, then it's just about a 5K to go."
Stay mentally tough. Your mental toughness will really start to be tested during these miles. Don't give into periods of self-doubt and discomfort. Remember all the training that you have done and have faith in it. Think about how hard you have worked and how rewarding it will be to complete your marathon.
Beat boredom. Here's when you really get to use all those boredom-battling tricks you tried out during your long runs. Do whatever it takes to keep your mind occupied: Sing songs, play mental games, count people, talk to other runners.
Miles 21-26.2:
Think outside the body. Chances are you'll be feeling a little bit of pain and discomfort during these miles. You will certainly feel tired. Let your mind take over from your body and try to focus on the outside -- the spectators, the signs, the other runners, the scenery.
Set small milestones. Continue to break up the course, mile by mile. Start counting down the miles and the minutes.
Talk to yourself. At this point in the race, you need to dig down deep for extra strength. Use your running mantras. Remind yourself what you've sacrificed to get to this point. Remember how you've worked through fatigue during your training runs and how you can do it again.
LET’S DO THIS!!! You can either throw in the towel or you can use it to wipe the sweat off your face! Remember...the fastest way out is FINISH!
TRAINING THIS WEEK
MARATHON
Training plan for WEEK 18|November 27th – MARATHON DAY!!
Sunday: REST DAY
Monday: 4 mile run
Tuesday: 3 mile run
Wednesday: OFF
Thursday: OFF
Friday: OFF
Saturday: OFF
SUNDAY: MARATHON DAY!!
Half Marathon & Relay
Training plan for WEEK 18|November 27th – RACE DAY!!
Sunday: REST DAY
Monday: 7 mile run
Tuesday: 20 minute walk
Wednesday: 20 minute walk
Thursday: OFF
Friday: OFF
Saturday: OFF
SUNDAY: RACE DAY!!!!
If you can't, you must. If you must, you can!
We are so, so proud of you for everything that you have accomplished! Thank you for joining us on this journey to bring change to the children of Oak Park.
Much Hope,
Sherene, Jason and Travis |
