Weekly Rundown- RACE WEEK!
Hey hey!!! It’s race week! To go along with my “relaxed” buildup to this race, I also had a relaxed taper. Just a few short runs, minimal lower body strength, and guess what- I had no major aches or pains. Unlike previous tapers, where I was convinced my foot was broken or that I had serious shin splints, this one was uneventful! I’m starting to think this is the way to go. Thanks as always to Kim and Deborah for hosting the Weekly Rundown. Let’s get right into it. Monday 4 mile run! This run felt extra good for some mysterious reason. Tuesday A full body strength workout from Sally McRae’s app. Good workout- a little bit of lower body but nothing too heavy. Wednesday I started the day with the Caroline Girvan Deadbug Workout, then after I dropped my daughter at school, continued on to the park for a 4 mile run on the cross country course. Thursday I did a Sally McRae upper body workout, followed by the CG deadbug workout again. Friday Last run before the race! This one, of course, felt horrible. My right hip was really tight and my feet were achy. That’s okay- I knew I couldn’t get through the week without something acting up. I didn’t do the whole Caroline Girvan workout, but did a few sets of deadbugs for good luck (What? That’s not a thing? Hrumph.) Saturday Off- slept in until 7, packed, went to work, and then BLASTED OFF TO INVERNESS, woohoo!!! Sunday RACE DAY! Funny thing- I was reading over my recap from the race I DNF’d in February, and in it I said “I’ll never complain about the heat again!” Oh, REALLY????? So I’m making that a goal for the day- I WILL NOT complain about the heat! That’s goal #1; goal #2 is to finish the race. Recap will be up on Tuesday!!! Are you racing this weekend? If so, good luck!
Friday Coffee Date- Managing Expectations
Hi there! Guess what I would talk about over coffee this week- my race! Tomorrow after work I’ll drive up to Inverness, about four hours away. I’ll spend the night up there and then Sunday, run my 50K. I’m excited! But, it’s interesting to compare this excitement to how I felt before my 50 mile race in February. I was looking forward to it so much, I could barely contain myself for the entire two weeks beforehand. Looking back, I did have certain expectations about that race. I trained for so long- it felt like forever- and did so many long runs, I absolutely expected to finish that race. I also wanted to finish before dark. As a matter of fact, I bought a cheap, inferior headlamp, thinking (hoping) that I probably wouldn’t have to use it. So I did have an expectation of how long it would take, or more accurately, I had a time goal. This time, due to circumstances, I signed up for the race almost on a whim. At the time I signed up, my ankle was still sore and there was no guarantee I would even be able to run it. I threw myself into an abbreviated training program, topped out at one 20 mile long run, and said “Good enough!” Honestly, I’m kind of enjoying this more laid-back attitude. Hey, whatever happens, happens! I’ll run it as fast as I can (or, as slowly.) I’ve already completed a 50K, so I’m not afraid of the distance. I’m just going to get out there and enjoy myself. It’s nice to have lowered expectations. Isn’t that one of the keys to happiness- expect less? I’ve mastered it here. Yesterday during my run I listened to this episode of Trail to 100 podcast. Kathleen Hanley was the guest, and she talked about different ultras she’s run. Her main advice for running a race is: Experience it, and be present with whatever experience you’re having. Looking back on my 50 mile race- yes, it was a huge disappointment, but it was still an experience. I got to see half the course; I got to see what goes on behind the scenes at an aid station; I found out what it feels like to DNF a race. Not all experiences are rainbows and sunshine, but they all make up our lives. I think that’s why it was so easy for me to write that race recap. If I had thought “ugh, I wish that day had never happened,” well- I wouldn’t have had much to say. But there was actually a LOT to say- I had an incredible experience to share, even though it wasn’t the experience I expected to have. Do I have any expectations for this race? Well, I would like to make it to the start line intact, and I would like to get through the race with no injuries. But there are no guarantees! I’ll try my best to make it happen, and take whatever the day gives me. What would you tell me over coffee? Have you ever thought about how your expectations affect your happiness? Top photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
Reading and Eating
Oof! My son has arrived home in his usual swirl of chaos. This time the chaos was especially… swirly… because his car broke down two hours from home and had to be towed to the nearest Kia dealer. My husband went to pick him up, and now we’re dealing with repairs while the car is on the other side of the state… but we’ll get it figured out. The main thing is, he’s home! And he seems to have assigned me a summer reading list. But first, I’m in the middle of this book: At first I didn’t lone it; it felt disjointed and I didn’t feel any connection to the main character (I wonder if that’s because it’s a female main character, written by a male author?) But it got better and better, and now I’m involved in the plot. I’d better finish it fast, because I have two books waiting for me: The Anthony Horowitz is the latest “Hawthorne” mystery. Since it’s a library book, I’ll read that first and then get into the Orson Scott Card. Over the school year, my son read the entire “Shadow” series and is urging me to do the same. I really wasn’t planning on making this ANOTHER summer of Orson Scott Card, but he told me to just read the first book. Okay, I will. But I’m not reading the whole series! (famous last words…) He also has a nonfiction book lined up for me, and then he’s starting another sci-fi series. Well, good thing I won’t be running much next week after my race- I can spend all my free time reading. Eating! Yes, I cooked. I didn’t cook anything new, but I made some old favorites. Inspired by Elisabeth, I made this recipe for Mango Curry. I’m sure it bears very little resemblance to Elisabeth’s recipe, and as a matter of fact my own dish bears little resemblance to the recipe I “followed.” Basically I used it as a rough guide- added tofu, used broccoli instead of cabbage, only used one mango and cut down on the sugar. Other than that it was exactly the same (ha ha.) On Sunday I made baked ziti: This is the same recipe I’ve been making for almost 20 years. The recipe came from the food section of our newspaper. That shows you how long ago it was (we got a newspaper delivered???) It uses vegan cheese, and a creamy sauce made with tofu. So good! And, I made brownies! My daughter requested “Oreo brownies,” but my son thought that sounded disgusting. No problemo! After 15 years, I’m used to accommodating two kids with completely different tastes: I used this recipe from Nora Cooks, and just added Oreos (to half.) it worked out great! What are you reading? Oreo brownies- yay, or nay? Top photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash
Race… Goals???
My race is coming up this Sunday!!! Final preparations are underway! Let’s look at an excerpt from this email I got from the race organizers: Hello Runner, Sweat, Swat, n’ Swear 50K, 25K, 10M is two weeks away! We hope you have been practicing your “sentence enhancers”! Also, biting flies are real and typically bug spray doesn’t repel them. Some runners believe tying a dryer sheet to their hat or pack helps. Another option is cat nip mist. (Seriously – you can find it in the pet aisle at Walmart). Spray the mist on your hat, clothes, etc to repel them. Ahem! Well as it happens, I did get a chance to practice my “sentence enhancers” on my extremely hot and difficult long run last week. I also got on Amazon immediately and ordered this: The latest email we got said this: The water stations are approximately 5 miles apart and approximately 10 miles between staffed aid stations, so plan your nutrition accordingly. All participants are expected to carry a handheld, waist pack, or hydration pack/vest. It will be HOT (prediction: “real feel” 98 degrees) and access to hydration is vital for success (and your health). Well… a “real feel” of 98 is better than 106, which was the “real feel” at the end of my run last week. I’m prepared for the weather. So what are my goals for the race? Perhaps “goal” is the wrong word. Hopes and wishes would probably be more accurate. Last year I ran the Dunes 50K and finished in 7:30, so of course I would like to do better than that. There are no sand dunes in this race; but on the other hand it will be hotter. Who knows? I think a PR is possible, but as I’ve learned the hard way, nothing is guaranteed. At the end of the day, I want to finish this race and have a great experience. Not every moment will be great, obviously, but I want to look back on it and say it was an amazing adventure. Oh, and one more thing- I want to finish this race with both ankles intact. Obviously. Do you have any adventures coming up this summer? How do you feel about biting flies? – Ha, trick question. Although maybe they’ll make me run faster!