WTOC-TV: Savannah, Beaufort, SC, News, Weather & Sports Fit Club: Countdown to Rock 'n' Roll

There's a little more than a week to go until race day at the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon.

An estimated 23,000 runners are expected to put their feet to the pavement during the competition that will feature full and half marathons, with live music performances at each mile along the 26.2-mile route.

Heading into race week, doube is starting to set in for some runners at J.F. Gregory Park in Richmond Hill - Did I train hard enough? Should I have done one more long run?

"Time has flown by," said Heather Vandaveer. "I need more time for training."

Runners are getting their final miles in before they join the thousands of people participating in the inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in Savannah.

"We are just getting a little training run in," said Jan Halliburton. "I am running the half and Heather is running the full."

"I will do 4 to 5 miles toward the end of the week, then next week 3 to 4 miles," said Robert Slyder.

As they look ahead to race day, they reflect back on the months of preparation that got them to this point.

"I am really giving it final push," said Linda Purcell. "The heat this summer set me back and just moving. I am giving it my all. I am looking forward to it. It's gonna be fun."

Training for the marathon has not only inspired people to get moving, it has also created a great social environment as runners train together for a common goal.

"We teach together and we train together after school," said Vandaveer.

So what are runners most looking forward to on race day?

"I am excited to see the bands and music," said Vandaveer. "You hear so much about it."

"When the run is done, I want to be able to make it across the finish line," said Slyder.

After covering hundreds of miles, dialing in on their projected pace and breaking in their race outfits, it's not making it across the finish line that stresses most runners.

"I think the biggest stress right now [is] parking," said Vandaveer.. "We talk about it every time we run. Where are we parking?"

The key to surviving race week, and the race itself; however, is as simple as trusting your training.

Overdoing it it is more of a concern in the last week than underdoing it. Now is the time to rest your body, and your mind. The real work is done.

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