Race Prep

Jen and Brian pick up race packets at
the Newport Yachting Center.

My running hat reads, "This seemed like a good idea three months ago."  Truer words and all that.  It's here.  

Today, we went into Newport to pick up our race packets.  We got our pretty pink bibs, our nice blue t-shirts (I needed a short sleeve technical shirt), and all the goodies that come in the bag. My son, Noah, documented the event with a quick picture. I also picked up some of the watermelon GU Blocks which I have convinced myself will help ward off the dreaded migraine.  

Easy-peasy right?  My running partner was also there picking up her stuff.  She wanted to know what I was wearing, what time I was going to get there, and other information pertinent to running a successful race.  I didn't have any of the answers.  

Now that I have thought about it:

• My plan is to wear what I usually wear, with my long-sleeve running jacket on top.  It is forecast to be cold and windy tomorrow.  
• Since Brian is also running tomorrow, albeit way ahead of me, I figure it's a safe bet that I will just get to the race when he wants to get there.  It will probably be way early because that is just the way he is wired;  I tend to show up just in time to hit the Porta-Potty before the start of the race.  
• I have packed what I consider post race essentials (a Vitamin water and a banana--also part of the anti-migraine campaign) into the bag Brian will check at the race start/finish.  He also reminded me to throw in some sweats so I won't freeze in the wind and rain. He will have plenty of time after he finishes to get his post-race food and drink, pick up the bag, and be waiting at the finish line.  
• Everything is laid out:  My bib number is pinned to my "13.1 because I'm only half crazy" tank shirt.  My running clothes are prepped next to my shoes.  My running water bottle is filled, the pocket is filled with GU Blocks.  My watch, source of the all-important interval beep,  is sitting with my water bottle.  My hat and sunglasses are waiting to be picked up as I head out the door.  The sun should be up by the time we get to the start line.
• The timer is set on the coffee pot (Thanks, Brian!). My muffin and peanut butter are ready to be assembled.  (Really, they are just sitting in their normal spots, but I know they are there).

I think I got everything.  If not, I'll figure it out the hard way.   Good Night!

Uninspired

I haven't been running as much as I was this summer.  I haven't been running as much as I should be running.  I haven't been running as much as I WANT to be running.  

My running mojo left.  It became too hard. Not the running itself.  The run was easy.  It was empowering.  It felt great.  

The run prep was a pain.  It took something easy and made it work.  The possibility of a post-run migraine took a great stress-reliever and made my run the most stressful part of my day.  Not want I wanted out of my running.

I am signed up to run the Newport Half Marathon.  It is next Sunday.  I have to sign up for races to keep me going.  If I didn't have this run looming ahead, I would have quit running completely weeks ago; knowing I was going to be trudging around the streets of Newport kept me running.  I kept up with at least the pretense of training.  I got in enough long runs that I know I can finish the race.  But my running was uninspired.

Today I was inspired.

•   I read a post this morning by my sister-in-law and felt I needed to keep the rhythmic drumming in my day.  
• I have a friend ( a fellow Newport Princess) that is undergoing major, life-altering surgery RIGHT NOW in her quest to live a healthier life.  How can I not go for a run?
• Jessica (another Princess) runs regularly.  Her life is just as hectic, if not more so, than mine.
• I see the changes I have made in my life slowly slipping backwards as I let my running slip away.  I do not want to go backwards.

This morning, I put on my running clothes.  I was going to run.  First I had to drive the kids to school:  in the rain.  Oops.  I forgot to look outside.  But it didn't matter.  Today I was inspired.  Today I was going to run.  I also have very little room for excuses.  I went to the corner of the room and plugged in the treadmill.

It was not a "fun run".  Treadmills are not fun.  So monotonous. On the plus side, my footfalls made a nice hollow sound, very much like a drum.  

I tried to visualize my regular route, but I must have missed an interval or two because when I was almost home in my head, I still had a mile to go.  No problem.  I just did a quick rewind in my head and finished my run.   

The rain had let up a bit during my run.  It was down to a light drizzle, so I took Carley out for our regular post-run walk.  

Today's run:  2.6 miles.  32:18 minutes.  12:25 min/mile pace.

Next stop, Newport.

Not Quite A Long Run

It's fine. I ran today...just not as far as I had planned to run. Yesterday's long run (11 miles) was postponed due to rainy weather and my running partner being sidelined with a foot injury.  

Still, I thought I should get out there today.  After I dropped the kids off at school, I headed out intending to do yesterday's long run.  

Unfortunately, I spent too much time in my head.  I had all kinds of excuses:

• I was wearing a long sleeve shirt and I was hot. (It was 53 degrees.)
• There was a high pressure system moving in (this afternoon) and I didn't want to maybe, possibly get a migraine.
• It was boring running that long by myself.
• This was really supposed to be my short Monday run.

And then it was very easy to turn left instead of right.  I bypassed Mackerel Cove.  I skipped the loop around Ft. Getty.  I just turned left and headed up the hill to the end part of my run.  At least I didn't head straight home.   

But it's fine.  I ran today.

Today's Run:  6.5 miles.  1:17:54   11.54min/mile pace

What are you doing for exercise today?  How do you talk yourself out of shortening your runs?