Why am I so nervous?! (Read 839 times)

I have been stressin' over the run I am about to do. My longest run ever by 15 minutes. So far I have run 2:45 for a grand total of just over 14.5 miles. Today I could possibly hit 16 miles in 3 hours. And I'm freaked-out by this. I don't know why. I've been training carefully for over a year, but this will be my last long run before my 25k race in under 2 weeks and probably my longest run for '07. I'm still nervous. I think having been sick the last few days has me feeling like this is beyond my abilities, but today I woke feeling great with only a little bit of sneezing--pretty standard for this time of year. I keep thinking "what kind of nut goes out and runs for 3 hours non-stop?" I could be sitting and watching mindless daytime TV or shopping while my kid is in school. WTF is wrong with me?! Instead I'm planning to go out and run...and not even because anyone is chasing me. And I don't even really NEED to run 16 or so miles...the race is only 15.5. Am I totally flippin' neurotic, or is this a sign that I'm a "normal" runner type...? k

The really funny thing is that 5 miles used to scare me...then 10. Now these distances are considered "easy" runs for me. It's all relative, I guess. Right now I just have that whole fear of the unknown thing. Plus my last long run (14.5 miles) was pretty miserable--but that was mostly the result of shoes without enough stability, so by the last 4 miles or so I was hurtin' (PF symptoms that seem to have gone mostly bye-bye with more stable shoes). k

Yup. And I was looking back at my log from when I first joined RA almost a year ago and chuckling at my times. I have easily cut 2 minutes off of my average pace since then. If only I could see that kind of progress in the next year, but I think cutting one minute off in that time would be a more reasonable and attainable goal. k

Saturday was my longest run ever!! 18!! And I was very nervous... I have only been seriously running since January and am amazed at how far i've come. Saturday was tough, though. Ran the first 12 or so non-stop at about 9:30/10 min/mile pace. Then stopped at a Shell station to pick up some water/gatorade (planned stop). Started back up again, and ran the next 3 at about 10:30/11 min/mi. Sun came out and I could start to feel it in my legs. At about 15 mi, had to stop at a busy intersection before going up a faily steep hill. Needless to say, my legs decided it was time to walk. So I walked up the hill and didn't feel a bit guilty, knowing that I would probably walk a little in the Marathon. Crested the hill and started "running" the home stretch. 3 hrs was a long time to be running, but I was happy when I was done. Found out that my mp3 player can last that long and that I can stomach gu pretty well, used 3 on the run (still tastes awful). Knowing that the marathon is another 8+ miles is still daunting, but as I look back I never thought I could have ran 8 miles let alone 18, so I know if I will be able to do 26.2. Just might have to dig a little deeper to 'ger-r-done'.

Ok, so I didn't make a full 16...at least not in one try, LOL! Went almost a half mile out and then realized that my NB Bonita running skirt is NOT compatible with my Camelbak (who was it that had that issue with it riding up and getting stuck under their Camelbak? I had the exact same issue), so back home to change to my older NB skirt, which doesn't have that problem (good thing I tested my newer skirt out before my big race, huh?! Too bad, 'cause my newer skirt is more flattering, but on race day all that matters is clothing that functions). Then I went back out and ran about 14.75 miles before I had to stop to get more to drink (only put about 24oz in my Camelbak--next time I will fill it closer to full). Of course, after stopping to drink my last mile was stiff and painful. Actually, the last 4 miles or so weren't real pleasant, as I was having chub-rub issues. Damn, I wish I didn't have the pudgy inner-thigh thing going on. I think the only thing that wouldn't give me this problem would be to wear long pants or some sort of longer lycra short. I even used Bodyglide, which only helped for about the first 10 miles or so. I've never been so crampy after a run, either. My calves and feet are pretty angry with me at the moment. I'm really not sure at the moment how I could ever contemplate a full marathon. I think this 25k might be the death of me. Anything over 2.5 hours seems to be my limit.... k

You got this one out of the way, despite skirt issues and what-not. You've gotten the kinks worked out -- this was your dry run. You are well-trained and ready to have a great race in 2 weeks. Cheers, Jeff

Just checked out your log. You are so ready! Nice to see there haven't been any "snow/ice/slush" runs recently!!

Nice to see there haven't been any "snow/ice/slush" runs recently!!

Ha, no joke! Our weather is so wacky...just a couple of weeks ago I was running in miserable cold, again, and today it was ~70º, sunny, breezy, and gorgeous. Of course, in the time I took to get my shower in the sky went dark and it's now raining. Thanks everyone! Now I am looking forward to the next week-and-a-half of taking it a bit easier to rest up for the big race! k