Disclaimer: I’m part of the Under Armour campaign through Fitfluential and I got half off on my race entry from North Face.
The North Face Half Marathon is coming up on Sunday. To say that I’m nervous about it is an understatement. I haven’t run long since the Frederick Half. But, it’s ok, there’s a four hour time limit. I can make that, right?
And then life happened.
This week has not played out as planned. I was supposed to get in at least one 6ish mile run and a few shorter. The weather was supposed to continue to be cool and beautiful. Sleep was supposed to be a priority.
None of the above is going on.
I think I ran 5 miles sometime recently. And I managed 3 on Tuesday, I think. I’m planning for 3 or so on the treadmill today.
The weather? Well, it is Virginia. And it is almost June. So, it should come as no surprise that it’s hot. And humid. And expected to be even hotter on Sunday. Woot. Not.
Sleep? Yeah, I got none of that on Tuesday night and not as much as I wanted last night.
So, what is going on?
Jones has a stomach bug. It kept us both up on Tuesday night and made me go to bed later than planned last night. He’s feeling some better, but still has a ways to go. But anyone with kids knows, that when one goes down with a virus, chances are good others are going down too.
Also, Beer Geek has to be somewhere on Sunday, which means I really need to finish in 3 hours or less. Umm…
So, what’s a girl to do?
Do Not Start? Only planning on this if I come down with the stomach bug or if I can’t find anyone who will be home on Sunday and can be backup for the kids if I can’t make it home by the time Beer Geek needs to leave.
Do Not Finish? Not my plan, but if the heat kills me or the bug gets me after I start or any number of crazy things that could happen…
Dead F*&^ing Last? Entirely possible.
But, life lived without taking chances is boring, so I’ll be doing my best to line up at the start line and cross that finish line, even if the in between is not pretty. That’s #What’sBeautiful to me.
(As I was writing, my friend who is picking up my shirt dropped it off to be screen printed with the half marathon distance. And I think I found a babysitter. Guess DNSing is looking a bit less likely, unless my stomach goes south…)
There’s nothing wrong with running in the back of the pack. I hope you get to run this one. I think it will be just what your week needs.
It’s going to be awesome! No rain this week, so the mud will be at a minimum. And while it is hot, the real summer hasn’t clamped down on us yet. There are still breezes, the humidity isn’t off the charts, and the course is very shady. I know I will be slower than usual just because summer has happened so suddenly, and my guess is that will be an issue for many of the runners. I haven’t had a run over 70 degrees yet, and my leg of the relay will start around 1 pm. Good luck and have fun!
I am also preparing myself for dead last on Sunday. I am heading up to CT for a half marathon and I like you have hardly slept and done even less running. It is crazy at work this time of the year and for some reason I signed up for summer classes……They are also calling for extreme heat in CT BOOOO I hate the heat even if I should be used to it as NY is gross in the summer.
Good luck to both of us!
You’ve got this! I ran a half last October (hilly but not an endurance course). I was about 6 mins off my best half time. My last double digit run had been 10 miles in July as I was trying to recover from PF. You’ll be fine! Be sure you are hydrating as well as sleeping as much as you can.
Well, I really hope that no one else (especially you) end up with the dreaded stomach bug!!! Happy running!
Good luck in your half! I hope that tummy bug goes away!
So what if you want to curl up in a little ball and die on the side of the road 2/3 of the way through the race?? You’ll feel awesome when you’ve finished.
That’s why I love to follow you- only a mom has to deal with mom stuff while trying to achieve such amazing goals! You can do it!!
Best thing about trail races is that a much higher % of the pack is in the “In It, To Finish It” category. So avoid those stomach nasties, then go out there and have a blast, whatever the pace and finishing time. And walk the hills. Your quads will thank you later! Most of all? Have fun!
I’m sure you’ll be fine and not achieve any of those. I’ve had them all and must say the DFL is the best 🙂 Good luck and enjoy!