The WEATHER:
It's hard to imagine that on Tuesday night LBM was running around outside in snow and last night he was running around outside in only his Crocs. I'll spare you the second photo.
The RACE:
I haven't even picked out a race day outfit. It's Thursday.
Maybe that would make it too real for me.
I am nervous, no.
I am excited, no.
I am scared sh**less, no.
I'm going puke, well maybe.
In this blogger world filled with so much confidence it's hard to be brutally honest but I need to be. I'm a bit freaked out about the possibility of running 50 miles. But I am even more freaked out about the possibility of not running 50 miles. But mostly, I'm completely freaked out about what I am going to need want to do after I prove to myself that I CAN run 50 miles.
The GOALS:
My I FINISHED goal: To arrive on time. To start. To finish.
aka: Finish Feeling Fine having Fun
I say this at each new race but it's true. My biggest worry is getting to the race start. Because as you now know, I am geographically challenged. I have a card. It's a club. This time I will be meeting Hubbs at the hotel and he and kids ~ all three of them ~ will be hopefully able to be at the finish line.
My I CAN goal: Finish in 10:30 - 10:45.
This goal is a hard one. I have never ran on these trails. I have never gone this distance in one day. I know the course is technically challenging but I have done the 2 5+ hours training runs (aka my 6ish hour 50ks) and that is a requirement so I'm told for being able to complete a 50 miler. I feel as ready as I can be. So based off of my most technical course I set a goal range. The lower end of this goal is to account for more experience and better training. The higher end is a bit of reality that so many things can happen over the distance. I hopefully can make this goal.
My I LOVE IT goal: To finish near 10 hours.
Meeting this goal would be beyond amazing. This time would ensure snotty-nosed finish line photos from all the tears I would be crying.
My I DREAM IT goal: Under 10 hours.
As I often say, on any given day you just don't know what you are capable of until you amaze yourself doing it. I will take all the positive experience I can from this race and it's runners and volunteers no matter how my body chooses to perform on Saturday.
I CANNOT even imagine running 50 miles. Or running 10 hours straight. No wonder you are scared sh**less. But you CAN do this...you are a warrior woman and even if you don't get the time you want I know you will finish. I'm anxiously awaiting the post-race recap from you!
ReplyDeleteI giggle every time you post about being geographically challenged, because I am too - I come from a long line of "lost a lot of the time" women...
ReplyDeleteRemember - you were born to do this. I cannot wait to hear all about how much FUN it was!
The weather has been up and down like that around here too. Keeping things interesting. :)
ReplyDeleteYou ARE going to run 50 miles and have the time of your life doing it. Good for you putting the goals out there. Just a couple more sleeps!!! (or "wakeups" as you say)
Yay for 50 this weekend! You so have this!
ReplyDeleteI'll be thinking of you.
u can do it! 1000%
ReplyDeleteill be ur virtual cheerleader. go shelly! go shell! u can do it! ur awesome! go shelly!
Good Luck....so much fun! love how DREAM big!
ReplyDeleteYou've put in the time and logged the miles - you're going to do great! Can't wait to hear about it - I'm sure having your son there cheering you on will provide extra motivation!
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt you'll complete your 50 miler, and event hat you'll do so with great success! Best of luck managing the anxiety preceding it, though!
ReplyDeleteI have NO doubt that you ARE going to complete your first 50-miler. I have NO doubt that you ARE going to savor each and every step. And I have NO doubt that after doing this, your goals are going to continue to inspire the blogging world!
ReplyDeletePraying for you to have an amazing JOURNEY of 50 miles. Looking forward to the good news race report!
ReplyDeleteYou WILL finish. You WILL enjoy every step. If will be tough, but you are tougher. YOu stay on top of your nutrition and hydration and you got this thing. This is part of who you are - I know it - so you go do your thing and no matter what, I am so so SO very proud of you!! Will be thinking of you out there and cheering loudly for you from Denver (so listen for my voice, ok?? :)). GO Shelly, gooooooooooooooo!!
ReplyDeletexoxoxo
You're Mrs Speedster herself! As in: you'll show that 50 miler who's boss. (In case you were wondering: you are 'boss') :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck this weekend! It's so amazing that all of your kids and your husband will be at the finish line. You're going to do so well. Have an enjoyable, fulfilling run!
ReplyDelete