(As a reminder, my race is not THIS weekend, but next weekend- April 26th).
1. Remember how, in my last 50 mile attempt, I almost froze to death? That won’t be a problem this time! I’ve started tracking the weather in Ocala (obviously) and it looks like the high that day will be around 90. Sigh.
2. I finally booked my hotel for race weekend! I was putting this off because I had a ridiculous notion that it would jinx me somehow. But it was finally time, so my hotel is reserved. If I now step in a hole and break my foot, or come down with a terrible case of norovirus, so be it.
3. I still don’t know what shoes I’m going to wear! I’ve decided that I officially DO NOT LIKE my trail shoes. For my last long run, I wore my road shoes (Altra Experience Flow). I’ve worn these shoes on the trails, but I know part of this race is on the Florida Trail, which is slightly technical. I really should have trail shoes! I’m going shoe shopping today.
4. The taper crazies are real. I ran four miles today and felt awful. Actually it felt like I’ve never run before in my life (how is that even possible???) I have to remind myself that I always think something is drastically wrong with me leading up to a race (before the Dunes 50K I was convinced my foot was broken). All will be well.
5. Last week, 208 runners completed the Arizona Monster, a 300 mile race. I mean… if they could run 300 miles, I can run 50. 50 is short! At least, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
How is your Wednesday going? Tell me what normal people are thinking about today!
Top photo by Patrick Mueller on Unsplash
27 Responses
I also think that you’re ready for your next race, Jenny.
Thank you very much! I appreciate it.
I’m now near the end of this Wednesday, also known as today, so I can conclude how my Wednesday is going. This Wednesday went a little better than the past 2 days and most days of the past week. I have Friday throught to Sunday off this week, and I’ll see what tomorrow will be like.
I guess 50 is short compared to 300. 300!! You got this, Jenny!
I’m excited for your shoe shopping and to see what you end up choosing.
I know, 300- those people were running for DAYS. And nights, oof.
Same, Jenny, same!! I did an 8k today and felt like the pace was killing me… it was 1 minute per kilometre slower than the pace I want to run.
I feel like I will never survive Boston. 😅
All the best for your ultra! You and me will be fine!
Catrina, you are right- we will be fine! you WILL survive Boston, and not just survive- you will conquer that race. I’m very excited for you!
You’ve got this, Jenny!!!!!
I have never heard of the taper crazies before! (Not surprising, as I am Not A Runner.) Is that really a thing? Is there a physiological reason for it?
Thank you Suzanne! And, I think the taper crazies are mostly psychological. I’m sure they are, in my case at least.
50 is short compared to 300 miles, but it’s still a LOT! The Arizona Monster actually ran through the city where I live and when I was finishing up my trail run last Monday, someone thought I was a lost racer going the wrong way on the course! I’m definitely not crazy enough yet to consider 300 miles, but it was cool to see some of the runners going through the area, already 150ish miles in at that point!
Running shoe shopping is so fun, and I can’t wait to see what you pick out for your race!
Oh that is so cool you saw some of that race! I like how you say you’re not crazy enough YET to run 300 miles ; )
That sucks that you don’t like your trail shoes!!! Boo! It does sound like you need to find some new ones that you like – STAT!! And then break them in a bit. This reminds me of my friend that ran the Chicago marathon in 2013 and hated her running shoes but loved her trails shoes (she lived in Kamloops, BC so did a lot of trail running as it’s so accessible there). But we all told her it would be a horrible idea to do a road race in trail shoes. So she ended up wearing her running shoes.
Taper crazies are very odd. I always felt so achy when I was tapering. It must have been all in my mind!
I did get some shoes today! I’m going to try running in them soon, and if they feel comfortable I’ll do every run in them between now and the race. I wish I could have tried them out on a long run, but c’est la vie.
Woot woot woot! It sounds like the taper crazies are in full force, so all is well. You are going to own those 50 miles!
Thank you Birchie! Taper crazies are definitely in full force.
Well, at least we don’t have to worry about hypothermia (wait, or is it hyperthermia? brb) It IS hypothermia, I was right the first time. NOT DELETING.
Go Jenny go!!! Also, figure those shoes out!
Ha- I might get hypERthermia at this race (or is that jsut called heat stroke?) Anyway, thank you Nicole!
OMG, 50 miles. Wait, 300 MILES? People are crazy is all I have to say about it.
Also, Go Jenny Go, you crazy beautiful strong woman! I’ll be thinking of you next weekend!
“Crazy” is definitely a good word to use. Thanks for the support!
I am so excited for you Jenny!!!
I’m writing this on Thursday…how did my Wednesday go? It was great. I had a sleep disturbance on Tuesday night, so I only got 4 hours sleep and that seemed to really energize me for Wednesday. I got a lot of things done, actually. I’m still feeling good today, but I’m expecting a crash tomorrow. But it’s a long weekend in Canada (we get Friday AND Monday off for Easter), so I’ll have a good chance to rest.
Wow, if I get 4 hours of sleep I am NOT energized- glad it worked for you though. Wow, you guys get a four day weekend! I’m envious, but glad our kids have tomorrow off, at least.
You’d change your shoes less than two weeks out?! You’re so brave!
Or, crazy. Possibly crazy.
LOL, I keep getting confused if this post is about running or your cultural RACE whenever I read the title. I’m in a weird headspace, ahhh.
I’m so excited for you and I hope it all goes according to plan! I’ve heard of the taper crazies and I hope it doesn’t mess you up too much. You’ve got this! Just think of how much EASIER 50 miles is than 300 miles, and you’re all set.
I’m so glad you got a hotel room. I’d be nervous that all the hotels would book up. So, phew. Running 300 miles sounds more like a form of torture than an actual race.
My Wednesday was fine. I’m trying to remember it. I tried to get a jump start on prepping stuff for our Easter celebration, since I’m hosting. Coach and I had a phone call with the adoption lawyer. Apparently we were supposed to review like 200 plus pages and we never saw the email. OOps. The lawyer was like, no problem – you’re not the first people that have missed the info. In our defense, DCFS emailed it the night before we left for Italy and that’s when the girls got in trouble. Let’s just say our focus was off. And, now we have to find time to review it this weekend and prep food and fold up high chairs, etc. I’m exhausted thinking about it- but at least I’m not running 50 miles. (I’m wiped after running my 4.5).
Eek, all getting real! So excited for this! But oof on that forecast…. can’t it just be a happy medium?! Haha. I guess that’s a tall order. I hope your new shoes work out and you can have some time to break them in, too!
You’ve got this Jenny.
In my experience nerves going crazy before an event but once it starts it is all calm. I have a feeling you are similar to that.
I happened to land myself in a marathon yesterday when I walked home with my groceries. Luckily not in the major group only single runners. I wondered though, should I have said something? Should I have cheered them on? It felt awkward. I did smile and looked encouraging though. But I wanted to ask the runners in our CBC about their thoughts.