I am expecting myself to average 60sec faster per mile and 4.2 more miles than I have yet to run in long run practice. How is my body going to know what to do??? I pondered these questions as I tied my shoes and combed my hair, preparing to go out for my last sharpening workout of 3×800 at 5k pace. As I left my apartment and felt the crisp fall air on my face, the questions lingered. I completed the workout, cooled down, stretched, the questions still remained.

Finally, midway through the work day, the answer hit me. I HAVE NO IDEA. I’m not sure how the training formula works how it works. I only know one thing. I trust it.
A friend mentioned to me today, “A skyscraper stands on its own despite no single piece being 60 stories tall.” The same is true of my training.  All the little things that I have done are what will allow me to get through the race, hopefully crossing with a big PR.

The last two days I have trusted Tom and experimented (I know the word is frightening at this stage) with a carb deplete/load. Tuesday and Wednesday I limited my carb intake to 10% of my diet, then today, I resume a normal diet of 60-70% carbs. The next two days I will manipulate my intake to be 80-90% carb loaded while taking in an additional 10-15% of my caloric intake to prepare my body for the race.
I am NO scientist, but I have followed what Tom has instructed and to this point, he is spot on. He told me that this AM after my run, I would be feeling pretty crappy due to the carb depletion. As I finished my last 800 today, I thought, “Ummm… my legs don’t feel so fresh.” LIGHTBULB- enter Tom’s comment.

This evening I will have one last “lucky” massage on the stems and I take off tomorrow with my Impala Racing teammate.  Saturday will be what I like to call a day of “lazyness with intensity”, as I attend a technical meeting, preview the hills on the course and try to stay off my legs as much as possible.

Sunday, I will rise at 5am, eat my favorite pre-race meal of bananas and honey on toast, and make sure I use the bathroom SEVERAL times :).
The last thing that I will do before I leave the hotel room for the start is I will apply four temporary tattoo letters to the inside of my left wrist that spell “G-R-A-N”.  On October 4th, I am running in honor of my Grandmother, who passed away on August 24th, 2009. She represented everything that I strive to be and I will think of her every step.  Until then…