Just Another Training Day?
The other day I realized that I have a half marathon coming up in just three and a half weeks. I should probably be a bit nervous about this, but for some reason I’m not. It just doesn’t feel like a “real” race. I put the half on my marathon training schedule in the place of a regular 13-mile training run. There happened to be a half marathon in Montgomery that weekend, just an hour away from me, so I thought, “why not?”
Why not race instead of just training? Why not have volunteers along my run route, handing me water and Gatorade and Gu when I need it? Why not receive a tee-shirt and medal for completing my miles? Why not finish my run in the outfield of the Montgomery Biscuits stadium, with an announcer calling my name and people cheering?
But on the other hand, why pay fifty dollars for a run I could do for free, get up at 4:30 in the morning to get to the start on time, and use a port-a-potty for my pre-run business instead of my own clean bathroom with running water? Hmmm.
Well, those negatives aside, it’s simple: I love to race! I love to run in a crowd of other people (having only ever run alone in training, it always feels like a novelty to have people to chase), I love trying to set a new personal record, and hey, I love medals. Not gonna lie; medals are awesome.
Even though this race is really just a training run in disguise, I do have some goals: 1) finish with a smile on my face, 2) beat my time on my only other half marathon, which was 2:29, and 3) get a decent race photo for once in my life — I usually have a glassy-eyed, slack-jawed expression and look like I’m shuffling off to my own execution. This time, I’ll try to look at least semi-alert.
So what about you guys — do you put smaller races on your training schedule? And what kind of goals do you like to have going into an event, big or small?
September 9th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
My best day of running, ever, was a half marathon I’d put on my marathon training schedule.
It was SO AWESOME. Everything about it – the distance wasn’t the goal, and that made everything else just a bonus.
I’m jealous- I wish I had a fall mary just a few weeks away!
September 9th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
I loooove races as training days. I swear it’s easier to do better, because there’s so much less pressure.. you don’t build it up in your head and make it a Thing. Plus not having to carry your own water, having people cheer for you, portapotties, etc.
Enjoy the hell out of your training race!
September 9th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
I love racing, too. I think the only thing to keep in mind when you’re using races to train is that you shouldn’t focus on the goal. My husband ran a half marathon six weeks before his marathon and never fully recovered.
Races are fun and exciting, and totally worth the $50, IMO. Enjoy!
September 10th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Thanks for the encouragement, all! I am going to just go out there and have fun. There is so much less stress about this race so I think it’s going to be a pleasure.
September 10th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
I love racing too. It is really the only thing that keeps me motivated to keep working out. I need the fear of failure, apparantly.
Just have fun on this one!
September 15th, 2010 at 6:15 am
I think, especially when you’re getting into the longer training runs (because, yes, I consider 13 miles a LONG distance), a race is a great way to break things up and keep it interesting, especially since you really enjoy racing. It’s not just the race itself, but also the festivities after the fact, and when people ask what you did that weekend, you can say “a half marathon!” instead of “I ran 13 miles.”
Have fun! And keep the great attitude!
January 4th, 2011 at 5:49 am
I have to admit that i sometimes get bored to read the whole thing but i think you have a unique blog. Grats !