You may notice that you’ve never seen a race countdown clock on my site. I don’t post each week how many days are left and when people ask the date of the race I say something like “Oh the beginning of November”.
I don’t countdown. If you have a countdown on your site, I’m probably avoiding you. If you are posting it on Instagram, I’m probably avoiding you.
It makes me crazy. It starts the race day nerves before I’ve even had a chance to finish putting in the work.It takes me out of the moment of enjoying the run or focusing on just completing today’s speed session to thinking about everything that will happen that weekend. This is why I run a lot and race a little. Racing makes me nervous.
No, I’m not going out there to win.
Yes, I always have expectations of myself to do better than previous races.
No, this is not always the result even if my training was spot on. Yes, that makes me want to cry.
NO DRIVING THE COURSE
Clearly I can do math in my head, so I know the race is approaching and I know that after 18 miles on Sunday taper truly begins…I just don’t THINK about it. I also refuse to drive the race course.
Driving 26.2 miles almost always takes an hour in the city with stops and traffic and such. My brain suddenly starts to think WTH if it takes an hour to drive I can’t run this! So no driving the race course.
I will look at maps or checkout elevation charts, but honestly I don’t do a ton of that either. The truth is I figure there is a start line and a finish line telling me all I need to know on race day.
See I’m far too weird to race too often.
Checkout the purpose of Accountability Monday’s>>
Want to participate? Fill out this form and I’ll be featuring people each week (see Your Goals below)!
Goal check in: Busted some bootie last week getting geared up for HBBC after returning from Hawaii and getting out as many posts about the Ironman experience as I could!
Goal for Week: My to do list looks like a mountain, so the goal is to remember that not everything must be completed at the same time. Daily prioritization, then relax.
Oct 14
AM: 9 mile run in Kona + 20 min walk
PM: Fly home
Oct 15
AM: Still flying – yeah long trip
PM: 35 min walk
Oct 16
AM: 9 miles { 2 easy, 1 MP, 2 HMP, 1 10K, 1 HMP, 1 MP, 1 easy} + 15 min walk
PM: 30 min walk + stretch
Oct 17
AM: 60 min Bike trainer
PM: 30 min walk + Core
Oct 18
AM: 6 mile progression run Easy to 10K Pace + 20 min walk
PM: 2.5 mile easy run + 15 min walk + Stretch
Oct 19
AM: 60 min bike trainer + Upper Body + 15 min walk
Oct 20
AM: 18 miles with 14 at GMP +15 min walk + short swim (wasn’t measuring, just enjoying)
PM: Stretch + Core
I have a fantastic post about all of my favorite marathon gear coming up, so today instead I would rather talk about some gear for Breast Cancer Awareness month!!! This line is called “Fight Like a Girl” and is made by the charity partners who produce the Runner Training For Life shirts. They are a small company with big hearts, so I hope you’ll check it out if you are looking for some gear.
Beyond this checkout the great posts from ChicRunner, who is dedicated to this cause after the loss of her mom:
Running Accessories for the Cure
Running Clothes for the Cure
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Gratitude Journal
Oct 21
I am grateful that I have some of the most non-judgmental and supportive readers EVER!