How could I commit to running a big race this year? Didn’t I foresee what was coming? The endless kilometers under my feet, the hours, the intervals? The alarm clock going wild in the middle of the night. And the rain, the ever present, never ending, mind numbing rain… But I complained about that rain thing last time already.
Today, I got really anxious, as the “medium-big race” is coming closer. Next Sunday, I will go for the 21,1 km, and today I had to admit that my pace is not yet where it was supposed to be at this point in time. It is just sooo comfortable to fall into a trot – and remain there, instead of pushing for more speed.
This morning, again half past six (so let’s say: last night), myself barely able to keep my eyes open, I followed my plan successfully. It read: 5 minutes warm-up, 3 km race pace, 5 minutes cool-down. Yes, I was “successful” with the middle bit, staying below 6 minutes for each of the three kilometers.
But… I am supposed to run at this speed for 21,1 consecutive kilometers, not only three… And this will not work out, unfortunately that became very clear this morning. I can do it for three. I can PROBABLY do it for four (if there is a hungry Great Dane behind me), but I can definitely not do this for 21 (which is TWENTY one, you see?).
So what shall I do, looking at the other half of my training plan, which will be starting after Sunday is over? It’s ok to run 2:15 hours, but I will nearly touch the five hours for the full distance if I keep running like a snail. Ohlala, now I know my challenge for the next 11 weeks…
Did anybody see my lungs? They just sprung out of my chest, back there at kilometer seven…
Leave a Reply