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?
You sound so ready!!! You're going to rock it Kyria!!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I don't cope with nerves very well. I try to just think about other things and take deep breaths, but the thoughts just creep back in;) I know you are going to do great, you are so ready!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for you to be taking this on! Cannot wait to hear all about it.
ReplyDeleteWow! I'm so excited for you... 50 miles... I can hardly imagine it. But I can actually say I'd now consider it, where a year ago I never would have. Can't wait to hear about it!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for you. This is going to be one heck of a race!
ReplyDeleteI can't even fathom being on my feet for 13 hours or running 50 miles. You are a beast! GOOD LUCK!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited for your upcoming 50! And jealous too :) You're ready to rock it!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! Sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I love your strategy. It seems like the same approach i'm taking for the ironman. The main goal is to not die.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck! It's incredible the distances you run - very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteI am so very behind on blog reading, but I'm glad I came over here today! Have a fantastic race! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI already know that you rocked the 50 miler! :) But I think you went into it with a great attitude/approach. When I am faced with something daunting, I try to break it up into smaller tasks or segments. So for the CFA, I broke it up into weeks and then it was more manageable to tackle the studying. For the marathon, I dedicated each mile to a person so it sort of broke it up and gave me something to focus on.
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