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On Saturday I will lace up my shoes and head to a starting line that I’ve been at twice before. In 2012 I set my current half marathon PR on this course, and in 2013 I ran an absolutely ideal race, only to watch it fall apart in the last mile due to nasty calf cramps. I love this course, and I can’t wait to see it again.
I came into this training cycle in the strongest place that I’ve ever been in, which I was thrilled about. I was convinced that this year would be my year to finally PR at the half marathon. I spent the summer focused on it, and I was WELL on my way to PRing.
After hitting the 8.5 mile mark, I started to recognize that I had shin splints. I took a month off, which was really the last thing that I wanted to do. A week and a half ago, I went on my first run (1.62 miles) in a month. I loved it, but had these weird cramps for awhile afterwards. This rattled me.
I’ve been on two more runs since that time, both topping at 2 miles. I didn’t want to go much more, as I’m tapering and trying to make sure I don’t aggravate my injury. Obviously this is not anything close to an ideal month leading into a race. My schedule hasn’t been close to ideal either.
My confession: I’m scared. I’m scared of what race day will bring. Maybe everything will come together really well, and I will do well. But, I’m scared that this injury will flare up and I either won’t be able to finish, or that I’ll struggle through intense pain the last few miles.
My confession: I’m frustrated. I put everything into training well this summer, and I came into this training cycle SO strong. There’s really nothing else I could do differently, and that’s frustrating to me.
My confession: I’m sad. This race was supposed to be for my grandma, as I raised money for the leukemia and lymphoma society. I so badly wanted a strong race while running with her, and while I’m hopeful that I’ll still get it on race day, I’m also trying to accept the reality of what has been the last 5 weeks.
My confession: I’m hopeful. I’m hoping I’ll have a fun race, that I’ll enjoy it, and that I’ll finish. That’s what’s really important to me.
For now, I’m enjoying doing all my race week traditions: icing, rolling, slow walking, one shake out run, all my fun pre-race meals, watching spirit of the marathon, and panicking about the weather!
I believe in you. Things never seem to go as planned, but that’s the beauty of training. It not only prepares you for race day, but for much bigger things in life. Curve balls are all too frequent, and proper training gives us the tools to needed to duck out of the way! I’ll be running the half on Saturday too and can’t wait to hear how it goes for you. I’ve ran for my grandma before too, and trust me,, that alone will give you all the strength you need 🙂
Thanks so much Bri! I’ve never really had a training cycle that went the way that I wanted it to go. This weather that’s coming is certainly a curve ball too! I hope that picturing my grandma throughout the race will give me a little more motivation. Thanks for your encouragement today… and throughout each of my half marathons! Good luck on Saturday too! Say hi if you see me out there!
I love you, silly. I’m glad I’m not the only one with the race probs; thank you for supporting mine as you deal with your own! Love love love!
We all have race probs- especially this weekend! haha. Love you!
I completely understand your fears and frustration, Caroline. You have worked so hard for so long to get where you are and attain the goals you have set forth for yourself. Just know that no matter what on race day, you have done all that you can that is within your control. You can’t control how your body will respond or what kind of race you will have. Just go out, have fun, and do what you know you can do. If the PR is not meant to be, you will get there eventually. I’m hoping that you will wake up, feel great, and have the race of your life. Cheering for you girl!
Very true! I’ve been trying to do the best I can with the few things that I CAN control in this situation, so hopefully that works out well. Thanks for the cheers and well wishes 🙂
Good luck. I am so sorry things have not gone as you hoped. I really hop it all works out at Monumental.
Hey Abby- Thank you! So often training doesn’t go as we hoped, right? I’m hoping that I’ll still enjoy it and have a good time. No point in racing if I’m not having fun!