17 - the number of sleeps before Around the Bay, my first 30k race! WHAT?! When did this happen? Did I miss something? I knew this would happen eventually, a year would turn into months, months into weeks, weeks into days, but so fast? Really?!
It hit me today after I finished my short lunch-time run and I was looking at my training plan for the remaining weeks. My saturday runs are going from 10k to 7k, and Sunday are going from 27k to a hillier 20k, then 10k. I'm guess I'm entering taper mode, Yikes!
The excitement of this run is not because I'm expecting a fast time but rather that I was registered to run it in 2008, but couldn't due to injury. I had also registered for another 30k in August but had to change that one to the 15k, which I unknowingly ran with stress fractures. Ooops. Glad I changed the distance!
My goals for this race are the following.
- Finish -- regardless of the time on the clock, it'll be a milestone, a PR and a long-awaited event. Being sidelined this past summer with the stress fractures had me questioning any future races, but here I am... 17 sleeps away! Oh, and a little sneak preview, I fully anticipate tears crossing the line... yes, mine.
- Enjoy -- thank you Ted for taking off the pressure. Your email today helped immensely. One of my favorite race memories is when I happen to capture a moment -- when runners; fast or slow, men or women, give high-fives to kids lining the streets. I admit, I love the crowd-support but haven't allowed myself to really embrace the moment. Usually I'm too busy trying to catch my breath, and keep the feet turning over
- Reflect -- well, this will wait until after the race, at the point which my body will
wantallow me to run again. I have wanted to do the 30k distance as a gauge -- to see if I want to dedicate the time/effort/tears/pain to train for a marathon. My original desire had been to run a marathon at 32, the age my dad ran his only marathon. We're still hoping to get into the lottery for Nike Women's in San Francisco in October, and only registered for the HM; so I'm thinking a spring full next year? (yes, I'll still be 32 at that point) maybe.
That's it! Finish, Enjoy and Reflect.
I think it's times like today, when I'm really thinking a lot about this race, that I'm happy to only in competition with myself. I completely admire racers that have a goal of Boston, etc; but I'm quite confident that I'll never have that pressure; it's not what drives me, so I'm absolutely fine with that. Of course I want better myself, but I'm thankful just being healthy enough to be out there at all! Is this a bad attitude? A cop-out? I know that my finisher's medal will be the same as everyone ahead of me, and those behind me (hopefully I won't be the last, LOL!)
**I've read this post over about 8 times, trying to anticipate what Glaven will misconstrue/take out of context/change the meaning of. any guesses? :)
37 comments:
those sound like great and positive goals mel! after trying so many times to just get to this starting line, you definitely need to enjoy it! the guaranteed pr doesn't hurt either :)
Finish, Enjoy, & Reflect. I love it!!!
I'm excited for you. :-)
Do you REALLY think you're going to get 17 sleeps before this race??!! Nerves will cut that down!
I like the comment of what doesn't drive you-you stick to your own guns of what does! I like that and I share the same thoughts. I am not an elite runner by any means and I plan to touch base on all this on my blog tomorrow, so won't ruin it now!
Nice words Mel!
Wonderful goals! How exciting that it's so close! I can't wait to hear all about it.
Great goals Mel, can't wait to meet you!
Those sound like fabulous goals - the race will come so fast, and I'm sure you will have a wonderful time!
Lovely post. Great goals! Finish, Enjoy and Reflect.
"Finish, Enjoy and Reflect." That sounds like it could apply to so many things in life and life would be a lot better, more enjoyable!
What a great goal for a race. Rock on!
Your come-back after injury is truly inspiring! Congrats on all you have accomplished!
Great goals. But, 30K?! You're tougher than I am. Have fun.
Now I'm excited about your 30k! I'll be counting the days until your run! Very cool! You'll have a blast and you'll have a PR!!! Enjoy it !
Penny
Awesome post!
I'm thinking of trying a full marathon while I'm still 32 as well. We could virtual train together!
And your comment about being healthy enough to be out there is absolutely NOT a cop out! Being in remission, there are many days for me when just getting out of bed is enough to be thankful for! We're all incredibly lucky to be runners, and we should all relax and enjoy it more!!
ps - it seems like a pretty "Glaven-proof" post, but maybe he'll say something about just how Ted went about relieving sme of the pressure? Just my guess...
I'm probably way off cause - much as it hurts to compliment him - he's pretty clever sometimes.
What a great goal!!
Good for you, it sounds like it's going to be a great race.
Finish hard....but more important... Finish!
I can't wait to see the report.
E
i think glaven's going to twist around something about "reflect" and "the bay", but I don't see how he can make that funny.
That race is going to be here before you know it. I'm already sweating my half iron in november. you HAVE to remain healthy enough to complete it, otherwise it's just not fun. so hang in there.
I think reflecting is a wonderful part of your goal! I'm excited for you. Enjoy your taper!
I think you have the right attitude for it! Not everyone has to be a Boston qualifier, it's better just to enjoy - especially with the chance of injury when pushing too hard.
It's definitely a journey and if you can't enjoy it, then it's not a journey worth taking I think!
what Glaven will misconstrue/take out of context/change the meaning of
The wait is over, Sistre!
You know, if could be even fewer than 17 sleeps if you get a little of that ol' nookie-nookie, EEE-eee EEE-eee (<--bedspring sound effect), YEAH BABY!! in there, if you know what I mean! (I mean sex, fyi. I know how innocent you Canadians are. You do sex in beds, up there, don't you?)
Some people claim sex will hurt your running performance, but these people must be doing it with their feet if it's hurting their running, so don't listen to them, because what do they know?
Although, hmmm, sex with feet ... sounds interesting ...
So, um, try it that way and let us know how it goes, okay sistre? Put your heart and - WAIT FOR IT1!!! - sole into it!!!1!
HAR!1!
Disclaimer: No Contexts were harmed in the writing of this comment.
O, and here's the out-of-context part:
Good luck with your remaining training, Sistre! (And the race, of course!)
YAY, how exciting! That's what I always say about a race...I want to be 'that guy' - the guy that says good job to others that are struggling, or to grab their arm and pull them along, to high five th kids and smile at strangers. I want to be that guy at the end that people come and thank for getting them moving or just being kind.
Truthfully, I'm usually gasping for air and nod is all I can ever muster. I keep tryin.
There's nothing wrong with chillaxing and enjoying ;D I like to do it 9.95 times out of 10 during races LOL. Sounds like some awesome goals to me!
I am glad to hear that your pressure came off after you read my email. I love the quote: "Finish, Enjoy and Reflect". Perfecto !!! You are entitle to what you are feeling about this big race coming up. Your anxiety level will be high the moment it will start. Believe me, it will go away in about a minute or two. You will melt right in and HAVE A BLAST !!!!
I can't believe how soon it is! You're going to do awesome and I can't wait to hear all about your first 30K experience. What a milestone!
I really admire your attitude! It's not a cop-out AT ALL.
It is SO close! Wait a second...your race is the same day as my race...oh, my! My race is so close, too!
I have similar goals-- the painful memory of some of my longer runs makes me think, "wow, finishing this thing is SUCH an awesome achievement, if I can just do that, I'm going to be soooo proud of myself." It's a cool place to be. And no, hopefully neither of us will be last. :)
All really great goals heading into the race. 30K is a big deal, and I can't wait to read all about it.
17 sleeps! That's awesome Mel! I'm super excited for you, and it sounds like you have some terrific goals.
The wonderful thing about running is that it really doesn't matter how you stack up to other people (unless you are super competitive and trying to win). What matters is your own personal goal that you are trying to achieve and there is no goal that is better than another goal. So be it a BQ, or just running the farthest you've ever run, or setting a new PR...it doesn't matter. It is all important and it is what we all need to keep running!
Have a great weekend Mel!
Awesome! Terrific goals, too
wooo awesome goals!! you will have a GREAT race!
Embrace the taper :) You will rock your goals.
I also love how the training or ending of a good plan sneaks up in you. Very nice!!
Great list of goals.
You're 30k is getting close! You're so ready!
Those are great goals for the race. You definitely have the right attitude!
The 30K is your reward for the training. Don't think about it as your "test". It's your celebration. Someone told me that before my first marathon and a light bulb went off.
You have a great attitude, and excellent goals. Can't wait to hear all about it!
wow, 30K....best of luck...and it sounds like you have the right attitude, running is all personal, don't worry about your time or how you stack up to others...
I love this post Melanie!!
You are so sure and calm, well a little anxiety is good but you will do just fine once the race starts!!!
Go for it and have a blast!!!
14 days and counting!!
Definitly inspirational! I totally agree with giving kids high five sin races. I did in my last half, there was a lil kid holdin his hand out and I called him my superfan :)
ENJOY
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