I have to tell you my stomach is in knots! The Labor Day 15k is next week and Coach Phelan wants me to Race It! What the heck does that mean, "Go for 1st place!" It's funny, but I tell that to my runners all the time about an upcoming race, "Run it for fun, use it as a training run, or Race It." I'm trying not to a put a time on myself, but I can't help it with all the training I've been doing. I am hoping for a better time than my last 15K (I averaged an 8:41 pace per mile). I started my training in May for my quest to become qualified for the Boston Marathon. I've been training hard and have been able to follow the schedule since July 1st. :) For the last 8 weeks, I've run 17-18 miles every Saturday or Sunday (as my long run), 9-mile tempo runs every week, and I even got to 14 hill repeats on Flagpole Hill - now that's 14 repeats "The Phelan Way." Plus all the other runs. Hmm, still not much bike action - oh well! Also, I've managed to keep up with my training schedule - minus my training buddy :( Man, I miss him! He's a lot faster than me, but it helped having someone to start with and knowing someone would be at the finish...waiting. I have my Runwell group and then I have my VIP running Group. The Vip group have really helped, knowingly or unknowingly, they have stepped up and offered to meet me at different times on my runs - Thank you!
A Big, Big, "THANK YOU!" to Teddi - She's been meeting me in the early a.m hours at Flagpole Hill! I'm afraid of the dark and Yes, the "Boogie Man!" Sweet-sweet Teddi! Like the old saying goes, "If there is a will - then there is a way!" I apparently have more will than I thought! Well, I have to on this deal. Because of my big mouth, I've told everyone this is my goal. All my Runwell Runners are getting WAY faster (so I need to up my game) and how can I expect my runners to push pass their limits, unless I'm willing to do the same!
So, I got a good solid several weeks of hard-core training. And Now, "a race", to see where I'm at! I know - I tell this to my runners all the time, "don't worry, just run it - run it smart - start slow/finish strong - run it hard!" Blah, Blah, Blah. But honestly, I'm freaking out! :) I even thought, "Maybe I should pay someone to pace me. Is that legal? Goodness! It's just a local race not the Olympic Trials." But I can't help having expectations. I want to see some good results! Now, all I can do is my part to prepare for the race: rest, fuel myself like a runner, run easy the week of the race, get a lot of sleep, and come race day..."I will run 'till I puke". With the way I'm feeling right now, it might happen before I even start running. I let you know how it goes!
2 comments:
I have every confidence that you will do better than you think. It's funny, training with someone, or a group has really helped more than I thought it would. There is a huge impact of having people start with you but also there at the end of a long run cheering you becuase you finished. I would have given up running if it hadn't been for my Runwell buds.
I am reading Born to Run and the author talks about the humanity part of runners and how he believes that sets the Tarahumari runners apart. I really see that when you run with a group, not only do they help you become a better runner but a better person. You feel with those other people. You hurt for Bryan knowing he isn't running as he wants to be, you go back to pick up slow runners to help them finish, because at some point someone did that for you. It's that realizing you are part of something bigger.
Not to quote Coach Nikki, but I would suggest you do what you always tell us.....run YOUR race, YOUR pace. I would say I'll be there to cheer you at the finish, but I'll be behind you LOL!
How sweet! Thank you Running Reader!
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