I have had so many ups and downs during this training cycle that I sometimes feel that this roller coaster isn’t going to stop any time soon. Heat, humidity, rain, sore feet, new running shoes and even lack of desire have really hampered my training for the last month. I have one thing on my side though as I head into Fall racing season. Experience.
If I was a newbie runner right now, I would be really worried about what lies ahead over the next two months out there on the race course. Thankfully I have many races under my belt, and plenty of good and bad runs to glean information from. I’ve had lulls before, times when I just didn’t enjoy the run. Times when my pace was just sort of blah. Times when one day is good, the next is really bad. This bumpy ride has to end soon, and I know it will. Experience tells me this.
This past training week I did manage to get in a 10k training run in between the rain, work schedule and heat. In addition to that run, which wasn’t terrible, I managed several other shorter runs. I don’t feel completely ready for my Half Marathon this Sunday, but I know it will come together.
My 17 year old son and I will be heading to Charlotte this weekend to enjoy some time together. I brief trip away to enjoy some roller coasters in the park, and a race. My first race this Fall season, I am pacing the 1:50:00 finish group at this Sundays Run & Ride Half Marathon at Carowinds. Will I be ready? Of course I will! I’ve received all of the pre race emails, and info on packet pick up. I’ve gotten the low down on when and where us pacers will meet up prior to the race. All that’s really left are a few short pace runs before the weekend, and driving down there on Saturday morning. My son has actually chosen to sleep in on Sunday morning and not run at all. He will be missing out on a fun race, I’m sure, but looking back on my own childhood, I probably would have chosen to sleep in too when I was 17.
So, here’s to a very literal trip to roller coaster land this weekend. I truly feel like my training has given me a very good start at being ready to ride some coasters this weekend. It has been nearly two months since my last race, so I am ready to get back to it! Feet don’t fail me now! Chicago and New York are getting ever so close now and I want to have great marathons. This weekend kicks off what I hope will be an amazing Fall 2015 race season.
Running Wild 
I think you’ll do a great job pacing and it sounds like it’ll be a fun weekend. Pacing the half will be a great training run for you too as you prepare for the marathons. I hope you and your son enjoy the park even if he doesn’t want to run the race.
Yes, race day seems to bring out the best in me most times. Even when training has been lackluster. It must be the adrenaline or something.
Sounds like a fun weekend! And your experieces of running are true and I’m glad you shared them for other newbie runners.
Seriously… not every run is going to be good. In fact, if at least 2 out of 5 runs a week are good, then one is in good shape. 🙂
You seem well prepared for this race and what comes down the road. How exciting to be able to spend the weekend with your daughter like that!
Great blog…I’m sure you will be ready to go Sunday, I admire anyone who can act as a pacer, that is awesome! I’m just getting started in the blogging world and really appreciate all the great web sites that are set up and authored by runners…look forward to follow yours and getting inspiration for my own work…cheers!
Thank you! And thanks for following.
Fun! I’ve never even been to Carowinds before.