To be honest, I would have been just fine if this week went by slowly. Saturday is Dam to Dam and I will be running my first distance race.
Oy.
Several times since deciding to do this I have thought to myself, "I can't do this. I should probably drop back down to the 5K." Then I'll go out for a run and I'll feel strong and like I could keep going and going and going...
I felt this way until I hurt my hip a couple of weeks ago. I don't know what I did, but from what other runners say, it's a pretty common injury. I took a few days off to let it heal, and that seemed to do the trick. I still missed quite a bit of my training schedule between the injury, the craziness of the end of the semester and a couple of my long runs not going well.
I keep telling myself it will be fine. I can always walk, and I will. I have a feeling I will end up walking quite a bit of the race and really, that is OKAY! My only goal is to finish the race within 3 hours because I want a medal! So... basically I need to get in at about 4 miles per hour. Totally doable, right!!??
I have scoured last years results to see where I will probably be for time so I can reassure myself I won't be dead last. Is it every racers nightmare to be the last person across the line? I know it's mine. I know that won't happen because it's such a walker friendly race, but still... the thought is there. And, it's taunting me.
The night before a group of my girlfriends and I are going out to Bravo to carbo load, I'm really glad I have had their support. They've been very supportive and extremely encouraging. It will be nice to spend dinner with them and have friends around me to pump me up. I'm hoping it's an early night though. We have to be downtown by 5am to catch the bus to Saylorville Dam, so this means my alarm will probably be going off at 4:00 AM. Yikes.
Hopefully when I am back on Monday I will be posting a happy race report!!!
Here's the route for anyone that's interested! (I think it's hilarious that I will be running about a block from my parents house, I've always wanted to run in that neighborhood, so that's cool!)
You go girl! I'll be cheering for ya!
ReplyDeleteHave a great time and definitely do not beat yourself up if you have to walk! I walked during my first half marathon and I am glad I did because then i had some juice in the tank to run to the finish. I hope the weather cooperates and you have a nice cool race morning! Best of luck to you - you will do great!!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck tomorrow! I walked parts of my half-marathon and I don't regret it at all! I felt strong when I finished (although exhausted) and had such a fun time. You'll do awesome!
ReplyDeleteGood luck!!!! And the last place person is still a finisher and a winner. Think of us losers on our couches!! ;)
ReplyDeleteGood luck and you'll have GREAT weather!
ReplyDeleteGOOD LUCK! You can DO it! I too walked some during my half so don't worry at all about it!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! You are going to do great! Don't worry about walking/coming in last! I think that everyone worries about that, no matter what, but it's not going to happen. There will be some people walking the entire thing!
ReplyDeleteDam to Dam is pretty much my favorite race, enjoy it! I'm sure you'll do great. I'm pretty sad I won't be running it this year, but there's always next.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you start to get nervous about training just remember, it's better to be 10% UNDER-trained than 10% OVER-trained. :)
Good luck!!
GOOD LUCK! You'll do great, and I can't wait to see a pic with you sporting your new race bling!!!!
ReplyDeletePS, I'm sure you saw the Color Run is coming to DSM? YAAAAAY!
Wow can't believe it's here already! Feels like yesterday you signed up for it. Good luck! I will be cheering you on from afar :)
ReplyDeleteYou're gonna do great and it's TOTALLY fine to walk! You wont be last, either! You've put in miles and miles of training all for tomorrow!! Word to the wise, just make sure to go to the bathroom before hand. LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing you're running right now, at least if you're not already finished. So I guess, good luck is a little late at this point.... but I can wish you a Congrats for making it through, right?
ReplyDeleteWOW! I am impressed! Good luck girl!
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