I don't have anything for Tasty Tuesday, or even Taco Tuesday, so how about Taper Tuesday? Ok, it's technically taper week for me. But, Taper Tuesday sounds good together.
Saturday I got in my last long run - 12 miles - before my upcoming half marathon. Saturday I'll be doing my 6th half, Soaring Wings. This will be the 3rd time running this course.
I'll be honest, this one is a tough one for me. The first year I ran it, I had not been doing hill work. The city is flat. Well, so I thought. They apparently found the only hills in Conway. The first 4 miles are reasonable, but then they just start coming at you. Mile 12 is literally on a hill. Thankfully the last mile is down and then flat, but it's the longest mile of course.
Also, this tends to be the coldest morning of the fall. Right now the temps are looking to be between 40-45 depending on what meteorologist I follow. I almost always end up warmer than I anticipate. But that will depend on if the sun is out or not, and the wind.
I'm also debating heavily about the water situation. I usually carry my handheld, but I am so flipping tired of lugging that thing with me. But I never manage to successfully get enough water at an aid station. And mile 6 is usually where I remember my gel, but it's on a hill. Hard to take a gel and drink while going up.
Ok, you can probably see that my mind is all over the place. Taper Crazies happening. I'm not over the top, just yet. And I try really hard not to think about the race to be honest. If I do, my heart starts racing as fast as my mind already is.
I'm over thinking pretty much everything at this point:
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| Sorry for the weird smile, I take terrible selfies - any pointers from the pros? |
I'll be honest, this one is a tough one for me. The first year I ran it, I had not been doing hill work. The city is flat. Well, so I thought. They apparently found the only hills in Conway. The first 4 miles are reasonable, but then they just start coming at you. Mile 12 is literally on a hill. Thankfully the last mile is down and then flat, but it's the longest mile of course.
Also, this tends to be the coldest morning of the fall. Right now the temps are looking to be between 40-45 depending on what meteorologist I follow. I almost always end up warmer than I anticipate. But that will depend on if the sun is out or not, and the wind.
I'm also debating heavily about the water situation. I usually carry my handheld, but I am so flipping tired of lugging that thing with me. But I never manage to successfully get enough water at an aid station. And mile 6 is usually where I remember my gel, but it's on a hill. Hard to take a gel and drink while going up.
Ok, you can probably see that my mind is all over the place. Taper Crazies happening. I'm not over the top, just yet. And I try really hard not to think about the race to be honest. If I do, my heart starts racing as fast as my mind already is.
I'm over thinking pretty much everything at this point:
- Weather - what to wear what to wear
- Did I do enough hills during training
- Water bottle or no water bottle
- Must remember dry clothes and food
- What time to leave
- What pace do I want to shoot for, maybe just go with it
- Why did I sign up for this
- It's going to be so cold, so dark, so early
- Do I have any throw away gloves left
- Bananas, must get more bananas
Taking deep breaths...
How do you tame the Taper Crazies?
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