Going The Distance
Yup, it's that time again. Cue the music. It's The Taper.
On Saturday, I will run my longest race (or distance in general) EVER. The Firetrails 50 mile.
You know, I am actually ready. I am sure you have done something for the first time and been kind of nervous about the entire thing because you aren't really sure what you are getting yourself into. I am like that. However, I remember my first marathon and how I felt and how the actual race was not as bad as I thought it would be. I did NOT come in last. I DID finish. I did NOT die, injure myself, starve to death or hit the wall that hard. All the things I worried about...did not happen.
This race is the same. It's just a race, albeit a bit longer than normal. I know I can finish. I don't know if I can finish without walking (probably not). I don't know if I will be super sore by the end (probably). I don't know how long it will take me (hopefully less than 13 hours)!
Do I have a strategy? Of course. Will it work? Who knows!
The strategy is this:
1. Run, unless there is a big hill in the way. Then I will hike as fast as I can.
2. Eat whenever I can. I will eat at each aid station and will carry snacks, just like any other race.
3. Slow and Low is the Tempo. I am going to TRY to remember not to go too fast, which will be hard. However, I don't want to end up pooping out for the last 20 miles! So slow it will be!
4. Talk to people. Company on the trail makes the time go by a lot faster. And it will be nice to have 13 hours feel like 8, right?
So, here's to finishing, not last, and before 13 hours (the cutoff).
Also, I want to say a huge GOOD LUCK to everyone who is running Chicago this weekend! I know you are all in taper mode as well and I hope that it is going well and is not making you too "mad"! A friend of mine who is running Chicago this weekend (kick some butt, Jill!) sent me this and I thought it was funny, becuase I know exactly how this feels!
I bet you know what this feels like too! Here is hoping that Stage 8 comes as fast as possible!
How do you cope with nerves when it comes to doing something for the first time? What is your strategy for getting through a challenging event?
On Saturday, I will run my longest race (or distance in general) EVER. The Firetrails 50 mile.
You know, I am actually ready. I am sure you have done something for the first time and been kind of nervous about the entire thing because you aren't really sure what you are getting yourself into. I am like that. However, I remember my first marathon and how I felt and how the actual race was not as bad as I thought it would be. I did NOT come in last. I DID finish. I did NOT die, injure myself, starve to death or hit the wall that hard. All the things I worried about...did not happen.
This race is the same. It's just a race, albeit a bit longer than normal. I know I can finish. I don't know if I can finish without walking (probably not). I don't know if I will be super sore by the end (probably). I don't know how long it will take me (hopefully less than 13 hours)!
Do I have a strategy? Of course. Will it work? Who knows!
The strategy is this:
1. Run, unless there is a big hill in the way. Then I will hike as fast as I can.
2. Eat whenever I can. I will eat at each aid station and will carry snacks, just like any other race.
3. Slow and Low is the Tempo. I am going to TRY to remember not to go too fast, which will be hard. However, I don't want to end up pooping out for the last 20 miles! So slow it will be!
4. Talk to people. Company on the trail makes the time go by a lot faster. And it will be nice to have 13 hours feel like 8, right?
So, here's to finishing, not last, and before 13 hours (the cutoff).
Also, I want to say a huge GOOD LUCK to everyone who is running Chicago this weekend! I know you are all in taper mode as well and I hope that it is going well and is not making you too "mad"! A friend of mine who is running Chicago this weekend (kick some butt, Jill!) sent me this and I thought it was funny, becuase I know exactly how this feels!
I bet you know what this feels like too! Here is hoping that Stage 8 comes as fast as possible!
How do you cope with nerves when it comes to doing something for the first time? What is your strategy for getting through a challenging event?
