I tend to get stressed the week(s) before a race. Regardless of how prepared, or not prepared I am. I always start second guessing myself feeling like I should have done more, squeezed in a few more training runs etc. This race has been no different, however the last week and a half things have really pulled together and I feel pretty good about the race on Saturday.
I'm supper excited to be running this race with my Dad. He has helped me out so much with my running endeavors and I can't wait for him to see me run in person and share in the experience with me.
My last two training runs have been fast, under 10 minute miles, my normal pace is between 11 and 11:30 a mile. The fast pace has actually felt better than running slower. I find it really interesting that my fastest pace...9:34 a mile has been while pushing Sky in the stroller. Seems like my fastest pace would be running on my own, but guess not.
I have had to shorten both runs though due to foot and shin pain in my right leg. I don't think it is anything my pre-race massage won't fix on Friday, and even if it isn't fixed, it's not so bad that I can't gut out a 5K and finish the race.
The course is being billed as flat and fast, and when I looked at the map it does indeed look flat, which means a faster pace. The last fast and flat 5K I ran I literally felt like I was going to die, so my plan is to focus on sticking to a pace that works for Dad and I. When I have allowed myself to get caught up in staying up with the fast pace being set it has been a bad thing. Dad and I need to run our race and not worry about what others are doing around us. We will be fast than some and slower than others and that is fine with me. My number one goal is always just to finish the race, I don't care a lot about time.
Dad and I have spent a lot of time talking about this race, checking in with each other as to when the last run this week should be, how much he is running, how breaking in his shoes is going, how I just want to enjoy the run with him. I can't wait to cross the finish line with my Dad and collect our shirts!
Then we get to enjoy the rest of the day at the Wenatchee food and wine festival. So looking forward to the whole weekend!
Last training run was yesterday (due to the shin and foot pain...don't want to aggravate it further), today I will do a light core workout, Friday is my pre-race massage. From here on out it's all about zero alcohol and paying attention to what I eat especially Friday night/Saturday morning. My bag is packed, all my running gear is ready and I can't wait!
Will be thinking of my sister and her husband as they take on a beast of a half marathon...over 3,000 feet of elevation gain! Glad it's them and not me!
3 comments:
Thanks for the shout out. I will for sure be thinking of the two of you!
Please email any pictures!!
Everything about preparation for this run has been a complete different experience for me. I have always loved running up till I reached 54 years of age. I know that is not too old to be a runner. However, at that point I switched to interval cardio training on equipment. This was due to the fact I got into the muscle game of bodybuilding. With the muscle mass and density I have developed impinged muscles seem to pull so hard that tendons micro tear and bones move. The inflammation from these micro tears has wreaked havoc up through the intestines into the thoracic cavity. I have spent much more time and effort releasing these impingements than running. Despite that this re-acquainting with running has been fantastic. It really is a special endeavor. More so since the purpose of this run is to run a race with my daughter. Jen, if you can run 10-minute miles then go for it. I will be there beside you all the way. I had my pre-race massage Thursday, and it was brutal in the true fashion of deep tissue sports massage. As we run I am sure you will have the same picture in your mind, as I will. That is the picture of your sister sprinting with her daughter to the end of their 5k. Their daughter daughter race to the finish will be perfect motivation for our father daughter 5k. I CAN’T WAIT!
DAD
Everything about preparation for this run has been a complete different experience for me. I have always loved running up till I reached 54 years of age. I know that is not too old to be a runner. However, at that point I switched to interval cardio training on equipment. This was due to the fact I got into the muscle game of bodybuilding. With the muscle mass and density I have developed impinged muscles seem to pull so hard that tendons micro tear and bones move. The inflammation from these micro tears has wreaked havoc up through the intestines into the thoracic cavity. I have spent much more time and effort releasing these impingements than running. Despite that this re-acquainting with running has been fantastic. It really is a special endeavor. More so since the purpose of this run is to run a race with my daughter. Jen, if you can run 10-minute miles then go for it. I will be there beside you all the way. I had my pre-race massage Thursday, and it was brutal in the true fashion of deep tissue sports massage. As we run I am sure you will have the same picture in your mind, as I will. That is the picture of your sister sprinting with her daughter to the end of their 5k. Their daughter daughter race to the finish will be perfect motivation for our father daughter 5k. I CAN’T WAIT!
DAD
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