Real Talk: I'm freaking out about...

I was going to tweet about tomorrow's race, but once I hit the character limit I thought, "you have a blog. Why not use it?" So, hello and welcome to my blog post:

I'M FREAKING OUT ABOUT CAP CITY 

Let me begin by saying, I'm not freaking out about running 13.1 miles. I can do that. I know it'll take me anywhere between 2:00-2:20 on a decent day. I have two friends pacing the 2:20 group, so if all else fails I can stick with them and enjoy the 10:40 pace.

I'm freaking out for a few reasons.

1. Cap City is my kryptonite. I've only run it twice, but both times I've crashed and burned somewhere between mile 9 and 10. I excuse 2014 because that was my first half, but 2015 was all mental. Yes, I was sick, but I wasn't dying. I used the sickness as a crutch and walked way too soon.

2. If I walk during this race, it's over. I know some people do really well with run/walk or walking the water stops, but I am not one of those people. My best halves have been running the entire time. From 1:58 to 2:08, my PRs started happening because I wouldn't let myself stop. I've run a 2:01 once with lots of walk stops, but then i just felt like crap after because I probably could have sub-2'd even if I ran a slower pace.

3. Last week I ran a surprise 10k PR. By A LOT and with two "slower" miles. I honestly didn't think I could run so close to my 5k pace in a 10k. I think most of it had to do with Megan and wanting to stick with her even when it got hard. I repeated my mantras "faster you run, faster it's done" and "just 9 more minutes" and after we crossed the line my legs hurt, but I wasn't tired. I still had energy. But how much?

4. I'm so afraid of running with pacers at Cap City. I've tried twice and the first time I went out ahead of the group and the second time I ran with the group, but they were going about :30/mi too fast and I burnt out. The Missoula Half pacers did something similar and I kept them in my sights, caught up, then eventually passed and finished a few minute before them. Ideally, I'd do something like that. Take it "slow" at first, then speed up. You know, how you're supposed to run a race.

5. I don't really have a 5. I guess the junk that's left inside is:

What if I CAN run faster than 1:55?
I think I probably can.
Will it be tomorrow?
I've only trained for 6 weeks! But I have a solid base of strength and HIIT now.
I'm not in peak shape, but I've got to be in better shape than when I lived in Ohio.
Altitude training may carry me!
Or not.
I should run this conservatively and then set my sights on the Missoula Half in July. By then I'll have a bunch of trail miles under my belt.
But what if that race is really hot? I do better in chilly temps!
OH LORD, what will I wear tomorrow?!

And so on...

I haven't felt like this before a race in a while. Probably because I've been running for fun since my knee started bugging me 7 months ago. I didn't intend to race this, so maybe that's why I'm freaking out. I know I can sub-2 if the stars align. Heck, even if they don't I should be able to do it. But will I?

If you read this, thanks. If you didn't, that's ok, too. Who wants to hear someone else whine unless you're in the same boat? ;)

Sorry for typos, time to grab pizza...

xoxo


via GIPHY

POSTPONED??!! Training Week 14

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Welcome to another Weekly Review linkup with Hoho Runs and MissSippiPiddlin. My training cycle used to focus on the Paradise Coast Half Marathon on February 14, but... MY GOAL RACE WAS POSTPONED.

Noooooo!

Since I'm not from Florida, the race is over for me. They gave us three options (none of which included a refund). 1. Come back in April, 2. transfer to another Elite Event (in Florida), and 3. Run a virtual race and submit your GPS map to get your shirt and medal. 

I'm pretty bummed. First off, this is my second canceled out-of-state half. At least I got to run part of the other one! Second, even if I melted during this race, I probably would have done relatively well. My training has been super consistent. I looked for another race the same weekend, but the only one is on the other side of the state and $110. 

I got the email on Friday while out with friends. They weren't runner friends so they didn't really get it. Luckily my mom and friend Tricia have helped me get over it a bit. What I've realized? I like having a goal and right now I feel directionless. What do I train for this week? I have a run on February 21, but it's as support. I suppose this week I'll enjoy my vacation, cross Day 100 of my run streak, then reevaluate where I am. And I'll also stalk the Naples course while we're down there to see where the problem is!

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My best photo of the week.

Week of Feb 1-7

Monday: 1 mile, 8:34
Tuesday: 1 mile, 7:47
Wednesday: 2 miles, 8:21 pace
Thursday: 5 miles, 8:52 pace

Friday: 1.1 mile, 8:41
Saturday: 6 miles, 10:39 pace
Sunday: 3 miles, 8:36 pace

Weekly total: 19.2 miles
This cycle: 333.7 miles
Streak day: 99 (!)

This week's taper was pretty good. I ran my Monday 5 last Sunday, so I had more 1 mile streak days than normal. My old Saucony Omnis were toast, so I switched over to a new pair and Superfeet insoles. My mid-week 5 miler on Thursday was pretty great and I went to Franklin Park to soak in the nice weather on Wednesday and Sunday. I ran with Alex on Wednesday and felt pretty tired/terrible, but on Sunday he brought the dog so I was able to run alone. I was upset about the race, so I ran with the goal of enjoying myself and had a strong progression run (8:44, 8:38, 8:25).

Some of my favorite things (nuun and popcorn)

Besides running, I spent a lot of time dining out. Tacos, Polynesian, pizza, and lots of drinks. I also saw a free showing of The Choice, finished a great book, started a pretty epic puzzle, and watched some Switched at Birth (exciting!).

I have to credit Mar's #14daysofself for getting me off my phone/computer and motivating me to surround myself with my favorite people, things, and activities. It's been a lovely reminder.

We leave for Tampa and Naples in two days. I'm still sad about the race, but I'm very excited for sunshine and relaxation!

Have you ever had a race postponed or canceled?
Would you run the 13.1 on the day of the race? (If I find a long bike path I may do this. Of course, if I happened to PR it wouldn't count!)

I hate this.

Meet Papyrus. I'm sure you've seen him around. Everywhere. I went to Chicago last month. He was there. I traveled to Portland last week. He followed me. And now? He's in Columbus. He'd been here before, but his presence didn't piss me off quite so much before.

Bottom line: People, this is the Comic Sans of the 00's. If you're trying to go for old world, earthy, or rustic, please find another font.