Here I find myself again combining 2 weeks into one blog. It’s been a super busy couple of weeks with a running event, training, work and work travel. I know that this is the part of the training cycle that can be particularly fatiguing and being disciplined enough to take care of yourself through good sleep and nutrition is so important. But man, is that difficult when faced with all of the temptation around you…so hopefully balance will work.
Rum Runners is one of my favourite running events! Now I know some may be wondering just how many favourite running events I have? Well … yes there are many and for many different reasons! This one combines the best that running fun and friends has to offer. You get to test yourself against yourself or others (if you so choose) on some very challenging terrain along the beautiful South Shore of Nova Scotia with an amazing family of runners. As a one day event, it makes it easier to stick together as a team throughout the whole relay without burning yourself out….too much;) and as you run only one of the legs, you get to chat, hangout and reflect for the rest of the day. Oh and get a yummy burger at the end of the day!
Here are a couple of random thoughts from that day:
- Never do a long run during the relay….you miss too much. I had a 32K on deck with 8K of that at marathon race pace during my leg 2. Got my warm up in, thanks to super supportive LTMer Lindsey!. Ran my leg a bit too fast, but used one of my idols Malcolm Pain to pace me appropriately….how cool is it that an 82 year old man with an incredible running history paced me! Until he told me to go towards the end;) Then I ran back to the beginning of the relay alone, into big oncoming fast traffic whizzing by me, on roads not meant for runners and increasing heat. I know I make that sound so attractive….but it really wasn’t 😂 What made it even less fun is that it took me so long to catch back up with the team that I missed so much and even some of the runners. This will not happen again!
- Sometimes we get so caught up in what we know our bodies can do and then we find ourselves in a situation where it simply just doesn’t happen. What many of us mere mortals don’t acknowledge, is the incredible weight of the joy and responsibilities we have in actually living our lives, being parents/caregivers, paying the bills, making a difference and quite simply being awesome human beings. We read professional athlete biographies, listen to their podcasts, follow their Instagrams get weekly updates and while there’s so much valuable information in these, the reality is that it’s more than likely NOT our reality. Good thing we have Coach Erin to bring us back to earth! So when #fierceandfearless is overwhelming #findingfierce is most admirable and must be celebrated wildly.
- You just don’t really know what others are going through (mind you on our team, we do find ways to bring it out and hopefully be supportive)… so be kind. I’m going to leave this self-explanatory wish hang out there without an explanation for obvious reasons ❤️
- An event like this simply cannot be pulled off without the amazing support of the organizers and volunteers; and community support! To that runner who told a volunteer to F Off…. not cool. AT ALL!!! From organizing roster sign in (yes, it can happen to me of ALL people Nancy Holland!!), to keeping us safe (Mark Stein I could have used you and your team on my solo trip back to the start), to manning the team water stops (the teams that can manage this are truly appreciated), to preparing the feast (Riverport & District Lion’s Club) and to cheering random folks who wonder what in the heck is happening to their quiet little communities as we roar through and then they turn on the full support! It is quite overwhelming…. Merci beaucoup !
- Oh….and I was able to check off a 2019 goal as I hit the 2019K ran this year on September 28! 💥🏃♀️💪✅💥
It was a busy relay day and before I knew it the weekend was over and then I was preparing to go to Ottawa on business. The best part of the whole time away? While I missed her at the relay, I was able to spend a bit of runtime with longtime running pal Jody along the Rideau Canal after a mid-week intervention.
Intervention? Yes I apparently needed an intervention;). My running friends (and you know who you are…) have been hinting about and questioning lately my attitude towards running a 42.2K. I’ve been joking that the goal actually was qualifying for TCSNYC, not running it (semantics BUT the whole trip is paid for now 🤪).
- I’ve been struggling on my long runs. (I can’t get my brain to stop quitting on me)
- I’m doubting my #fierceness and whether I can #BeTheStorm for a whole 42.2K. (I’ve even caught myself negotiating a walking plan.)
- I’ve forgotten how my body aches in these cycles (and that’s actually what it’s supposed to be feeling like)
- I keep on talking about coming out of marathon retirement and yearning for the shorter distance training cycles (that’ll happen again….AFTER this marathon)
My intervention chat with Jody was one of those very kind but firm chats, pushing me to realize that my joking was bordering on self-sabotage. Her questions made me a bit uncomfortable but made me start thinking about WHY I am sabotaging myself and that if I don’t change my attitude soon, this marathon would have a whole other level of hurt and regret that I REALLY do not want! I need to start thinking about WHAT I am looking forward to on this rather long run through the 5 boroughs in less than a month. Fodder for another blog entry at a later date 😉
It was a good kick-in-the-butt chat followed by a most lovely long run along the Rideau Canal and I am lucky to have such GREAT friends!
