Saturday, February 4, 2017

Dough-Not Ignore Fate

This morning as I finished my nine mile run, this little fate-on-wheels was waiting for me just as I exited the trails and headed to my car.




When faced with a doughnut-filled, slice of heaven on wheels, must be fate truck, dough-not ignore it!


Yes.  That is fried chicken.  And yes, it was delicious.

And Just Like That

This weekend I ran eleven miles.  And just like that....the longest run was done!




It feels like I just committed to running this race and now I'm already tapering and preparing for the run.  Finishing my last longest run before the race has me looking back on my training and also looking forward to the race.  I think I'll tell you a little about both.


Training:
I used a Hal Higdon training program this go-round.  I've used several of his programs before, so I figured why fix what isn't broken?  I reviewed several and went with the program that required the least amount of running.  And then I proceeded to spend the first half of my training time actually running less than the recommended amount (don't ask - I apparently have trouble reading and writing).  In looking back, I think that if this were going to be my first race, I would be really nervous right now.  I tend to be the kind of person who really believes in and relies on preparation.  Luckily, this is not my first race and I'm not that concerned about my preparation.  I know I can run 13.1 miles.  I've done it many, many times before.  And that knowledge has me more confident than my not-so-stellar training would normally allow.  It's true.  My training has been anything but inspiring.  I just haven't found "it" this go-round.  I haven't fallen into that easy running habit where running feels natural and your body craves the release of a good run.  Nope, none of that this time.  I feel like every single run has been muscled through by an act of sheer will.  And, I plan on calling on the last reserves of that sheer will to run this race.


The Race:
Like I said, I'm not really worried about the race.  I know I can do it.  I know I will finish.  But, with that said, my goals this time around are so much different than they were in my pre-baby racing days.  For this race my goal is honestly, just to finish.  I just want to run 13.1 miles without stopping.  That's it.  Just finish.  It's a little hard for me admit that my goal is just to finish.  I've been used to having specific and somewhat aggressive goals for each race.  But, things are different now.  I'm a different person and a different racer and that means different goals.  And, I have to be okay with that.  Expecting the same results without the same preparation is just crazy.  This time around I'm focused on simply doing it.  I'm focused on and excited about my first mom-medal!


I'm also excited for a nice, long running rest after the race!