T-7 Days until Marathon

I can not believe that next week at this time I will be waking up for the marathon!  Its finally here and I am amazed that 22 weeks of training is ending, not without bumps, of course.

Hurricane Sandy kinda threw off the routine.  I ended up missing a medium run and then taking several days off in a row.  After the hurricane and six days of not running, I finally got back out and I was slow.  I wasn't trying that hard but still 10:20 minute/mile average.  I had two shorter runs at this slow pace last week.  Then magically I go for my long run and 9:05 minute/mile average.  Go figure!  This week my pace has been staying low.   I tweaked the schedule a bit to fit in all the runs so mileage wise I'm not behind.  I definitely realized that I don't want to leave myself with too many days of rest before the big day.  I must stay loose.  I'm kind of worried about my ankles since that achilles tendonitis still flares up.

I'm thinking that perhaps I want to get some music on my phone.  I normally do not run with music.  I like being in tune with my surrounding, mull over my thoughts, plus I just feel safer.  BUT,  I have never ran a marathon, maybe I should plan a little motivation for myself say past mile 20.

There's been a few Facebook friends who have completed marathons this season, mostly first timers like me.  One of them said that the last mile felt great because you know you are actually going to finish.  I loved that comment and now I am eagerly awaiting that feeling around mile 25.

Wondering what the whole experience will be like.  Since NY Marathon was cancelled, Philadelphia Marathon added 3,000 spots for runners from the cancelled marathon.  I feel for the people that trained for that marathon.  That has to be extremely disappointing.  I actually did have that happen to me when the triathlon was cancelled last August for Hurricane Irene.  Here it comes, my own selfish view, I am wondering if its going to be too crowded.  I didn't sign up for NY Marathon mainly because its too expensive but also I kind of wanted a smaller marathon.  Philadelphia Marathon seems to be getting bigger and bigger.  First it sold out at 27,000 participants crazy early and now they are adding 3,000 more spots.  Plus I gotta check out how the start actually starts.  How will I feel when all the half marathoners turn off to finish their race and I still have a second leg?!?  Perhaps, a smidgeon of worry is setting in too.