Dreams of Big Sur

I run with Orion
and Orion runs with me
Clear, bright orbs off in a great distance
a black expanse
speckled with white

The sky seems very cold now
the wind beats down
as we circle eachother

*****

In four days, I will be running the Big Sur International Marathon. I've wanted to run this marathon for a few years now, the BSIM having made my list since reading about it in multiple books and running periodicals. So far I've covered 425 miles in training (the only marathon training where I covered more miles was the first marathon I ran). I've trained through the coldest days of the winter. I had a great tune up race at the Eastern States, and I've had some good quality cross training that was a heck of a lot of fun.

I had lots of days this cycle where I came home, ate, ran, changed diapers, spent time with my daughter, played with the dog. I've also had days where I came home, found I wasn't feeling the workout and took a day off. I'm not punishing myself over the rest days anymore, and I'm OK with the additional days off. I feel stronger for them.

*****

On my right as we run through the night
as I pass the head of the bay
as I turn,
I dream of seeing the sibling to this body of water

Orion can see it from his height
no doubt
He has seen countless others
run along the curveture
crest hurricane point
heard the taiko drums

I run with Orion
and Orion runs with me
I dream of Big Sur
and Orion dreams with me

*****

My wife and I took this past weekend to go spend some time with our friends up north. It meant a lot of time to rest, and spend time with my family. That was great. I could have dragged myself out for some miles, but at this point I feel like the work is done. I can cover the miles. I also don't have a time goal for this marathon -- the climbing is more than I do in a week, normally. I'm planning to just go and spend time running, really enjoying the course.

At this point in the taper, I usually end up throwing more rest days in. I'm not sure why -- maybe I'm training too hard, maybe I'm fighting off burn out. Either way, this seems to be a pattern that I've fallen into before, and I've been able to cover the distance in the past.

I'm planning to bring a camera with me to the marathon -- as much to distract me so I don't get bogged down by my pace. I should be able to run a comfortable pace and still be well under the time limit, so I want to really enjoy the experience and the scenery.

*****

I run with Orion
and Orion runs with me

in the Spring
my mind stirs
off into the distance
I dream of Big Sur

*****

I'm going to be gone for four days, total. That is the longest I've been gone from my little family. That's tough, because I'm pretty content to spend all of my time with my wife and child. I don't really love travel, either. I'm nervous about the travel, I'm freaked about the marathon (the distance, the hills, the self doubt, etc.) I'm not really sure how it is going to be. I'm freaked out about the unknowns going into this.

The experience of running Big Sur, though. Seeing the incredible views and finally seeing the ocean on the opposite side of my country. As with every marathon, I'm a jumble of excitement, dread, joy, and fear. The true experience of a race like this is how one manages to overcome those feelings, climb the mountain of self-doubt and achieve whatever they are capable of on the course.

What will I do on the race day? I'm not really sure. As I said above I'm planning just go and enjoy the run, the views. There will be a race report upon my return. Watch this space.

*****

I run with Orion
and Orion runs with me
I dream of Big Sur
and Orion dreams with me