Oh hi! I’m hoping you’ve stopped by to find out how I’m doing the week of my race. (Or maybe you’re here to link with Tuesday Topics, which I host with Jenn from Runs With Pugs.) Either way, thanks for indulging me! In my last post, Wendy left a comment saying “This is the calmest I can remember you’ve been before a race.” Yes- I’m excited, but not making myself crazy about this one.
As a reminder, this race is on my actual birthday, my 60th. It’s definitely occurred to me that if something goes wrong, like I fall and get injured early on, I could be setting myself up for the worst birthday ever.
Here’s the thing- this has actually happened. Two years ago, I trained for the Forgotten Florida 50 mile race. It was my first 50 mile attempt, and I threw every ounce of energy I had into training. I absolutely had my heart set on running this race, so much so that I wore a mask for an entire week before the race to insure that I wouldn’t get sick.
It was my “dream race,” and then… eight miles into the race I fell, sprained my ankle, and had to drop out. It was the worst possible outcome, and guess what? I survived.
Hobbling around on a sprained ankle definitely sucked, but two months later it was healed up, life had returned to normal, and I realized I really wasn’t any more or less happy than if I had finished the race.
“Enjoy the process, because nothing else is guaranteed.” I can’t remember where I heard that quote, but my experience at Forgotten Florida really brought it home. Nothing is guaranteed on race day. I know that, so I’m just going to show up to this race and take whatever the day gives me. Of course, if the day doesn’t “give” me 60 miles, I’ll be pissed, but in that case I’ll attempt 60 miles another time.
Meanwhile, my husband has started saying things like “Think about getting extra sleep this week”, “Have you ever tried visualization?” and ‘You should make sure to get enough electrolytes.” Ahem- YOU ARE MANSPLAINING. Oddly, I HAVE heard of the benefits of sleep, mental strategies including, but not limited to, visualization, and electrolytes. I know he’s trying to help, but…SHEESH.
Well, I’m off to get a good night’s sleep! Come back tomorrow for more nitty gritty logistics about the race (are you tired of hearing about it yet??? I hope not…)
Join us next week —> Favorite way to welcome spring?
Link Up With Tuesday Topics
Welcome back to Tuesday Topics, as Jenny, from Runners Fly joins Jenn at Runs With Pugs to co-host this link-up! Please join us every week for a new topic! Write on our weekly prompt or choose your own topic! Make sure to add your post to the link up, link back to your hosts, and comment on the other shared posts!
