Starting down the trail this morning, I just knew it was going to be a good run. I planned to do 5-6 miles (as a taper run before the Wine & Dine Half Marathon next week), temps were in the high 50's, and it was crisp and clear - a truly great morning for a run!
"A great morning for a run." That thought sent my mind wandering...and ending up back at a place where I've been lingering the last 3 days - the forecast in Orlando for next Saturday night. Now, of course a 10-day forecast doesn't usually closely depict what the weather actually ends up being, but now we're down to 7 days out. It's getting closer, and they're refining the forecast. Looks like it's going to be a typical "fall" evening in Florida - warm (low in the low 70's) and muggy with a chance of rain. Definitely not my idea of ideal race conditions. Yuck.
So as I set a fairly brisk pace on this glorious morning, I started to think about how these less-than-ideal race conditions might affect me next weekend. Self-doubt and "what-ifs" started to pop in. What I finally realized a few miles into my run was that there is nothing I can do about it. My only option is to run the race put before me on Saturday night. Sure I'll properly hydrate and fuel beforehand, and I have 19 weeks of marathon training behind me, but as I cross that starting line, that's it - I'll be there and have to deal with whatever the race conditions are.
As scary as that thought sounds, I was still buoyed by it. After all - I was right. I have done and will do pretty much all I can to get myself ready. And the stuff I can't control? Well - oh well! I can't control it, so I'll just prepare as best I can and then roll with the punches. I plan to have a great time running with old and new friends and knowing I'll do the best I can with the race before me! And then have a great time at the after-party!!!
Today's Taper Run:
- 10 min. warm-up walk
- 5.5 mi; 1:10:07; 12:45min/mi avg pace
Hi I'm a new subscriber! I love your blog, your perseverance and motivation are very inspiring to me. i admit I've been reading your pas race reports for inspiration!
ReplyDelete*past
ReplyDeleteYay! And welcome, Charlotte! Glad you're finding the race reports helpful - I, too, go back and read them occasionally when I need to see where I've been. Happy running!
ReplyDeleteExcellent pace on that run!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sad I'm missing Wine & Dine this year. While I suffered greatly last year I sure wish I could redeem myself this year. Next year I'll be there again though.
I'm sure you are going to have a wonderful race and time!