Tim Ritchie fired off some final questions to the Level Legion: Boston Marathon Edition participants. Hay’s in the barn now. Nothing left to do but get rest, hydrate, and answer 8 questions…
Brian Harvey
1. Best thing about the taper?
It means the race is almost here!
2. Hardest thing about the taper?
Having to be more careful about what I eat.
3. Marathon Monday morning routine?
I plan to get up around 6am. I’ll start eating a bit which (in total) will include a plain bagel with peanut butter, crackers, pretzels, banana, a Clif bar, Gatorate, water, and coffee. I’ll then catch the bus out to Hopkinton with my BAA teammates where it will be nice to see familiar faces. Once in Hopkinton, I plan to stay warm and off my feet as much as possible and just stay relaxed.
4. Pre-race meal (dinner)
Roasted sweet and red potatoes, zucchini, onions, and mushrooms. A few pieces of grilled chicken. Toasted baguette with olive oil, cheese, and avocado. And some pasta (for some more carbs!).
5. What will you tell yourself this week to mentally prepare you?
So far this week I have been focusing on taking care of all the little things such as rest, logistics, and specific race plans/strategies. At the race day approaches, I’ll think back to strong workouts I’ve had over the last 3 months.
6. What will you tell yourself throughout the race to make it to the finish?
For the first part of the race, I will be focusing on getting through those early miles using as little energy as possible. Later in the race, I plan to break up the course based on landmarks and focus on getting through one mile at a time. If the race is going well, I hope to be catching and passing people in the last 5 miles which also will help drive me (it is a race after all!). I’ll also be looking forward to seeing friends which will be scattered throughout the course. I fully expect this race to hurt more than anything I’ve done before.
7. Final thought as the day approaches (anything here, a simple statement)
Race intelligently.
8. What is your bib number??
199
