"...In the end, people either have excuses or experiences; reasons or results; buts or
brilliance. They either have what they wanted or they have a detailed list of all the rational reasons why not."

~ Anonymous
(taken from Matt Erbele's, It Takes Time to Get Good)

Monday, February 25, 2008

Yesterday's run, pre-marathon jitters

Yesterday it was pissing down rain and I really did not feel like running. My shins have been really sore lately and my coach recommended reducing my mileage because, there was nothing to be gained from running extra miles, and they could potentially hurt me this close to the race. The thought of doing a semi-long run on the treadmill was repulsive to me.

(Picture: Official "Hardcore Status." You can't really tell, but it is raining pretty hard and I am soaked after 6 miles in the rain.)

So I decided to once again try out my rain jacket and hit the Rancho San Antonio trail. Unlike last

time I tried this, it actually rained, hard, for the entire run. There was something liberating about being out there in the pouring rain. I found that the run,rain jacket was great if it was raining hard. It is too hot if it isn't. This time I was able to keep it on for the run.

(Picture: Wild turkeys were every where. I saw about 40 of them. The are quite pretty actually. It was pouring, so this is the only picture that halfway came out. I was worried about my camera getting wet.)

My legs felt like crap and about 1/2 a mile in I was certain that this would be a very short run. Unfortunately, there is no way to run at this park without doing some pretty serious hills. The first 3 miles had about 600 feet of climb, with most of that being between miles 2 and 3. Since I had not done an out and back I was trying to calculate where to turn around to do 5 miles total. I am SERIOUSLY math challenged when I run so I ended up doing 6 miles. I never really felt good, but it did get better than that first 1/2 mile. You can never make a decision about a run in the first mile. I have made a rule for myself that I have to run at least a mile before I decide, "Fuck this. I am going home."

All in all, the rain was not so bad, the trail was beautiful, but the run sucked. This is my last long run before the marathon. I am scared to death that I am not ready, but what will be will be at this point.

(Picture: Just a pretty shot from the trail. I am under tree cover, so this picture isn't as blurred from the rain. This is so much better than the damn treadmill)


5 comments:

Willie said...

You are really hardcore. Don't you hate the week leading up to the marathon. I'm with you, I always want to run more miles but everthing says to take it easy. It's soooooo hard to take it easy when you're nervous to begin with. Good luck with your marathon, I know you'll do great.

Southbaygirl said...

First of all-do not be scared to death!!!! You are not allowed!!! Have you run a marathon before? I can't remember if you have or not.....

You are going to have an amazing time! You're going to be in Napa for god's sake! How cool is that!!!! And the energy you'll get from the crowd-you'll get such a buzz from it! I'm so excited for you!!! It's going to be awesome! I wish I was coming up to cheer you on!!! If I wasn't going to be knee deep in mud and sheep I'd be there!!

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

I'm so jealous you ran in the rain! I love running in the rain-it is incredibly liberating and free!!! Such an amazing feeling!

Rock on baby! You'll do AWESOME!!!!

-P

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

We picked your link up off of Baby Love's blog, we like to run but not quite that far, maybe to the shore and back, chin up, you will do fine !!!

Gus & Louie

Willie said...

Thank you for your kind words. I am really excited for you. I can't wait to hear about your marathon this weekend. Napa is definetly on my list of marathons. Maybe even next year if I can work it. Hang in there and good luck, and might I just say that you're quite a fox yourself (how big is your husband? Please ask him not to hurt me!).

Southbaygirl said...

RUN BITCH RUN!!!!!!!!!