RACE week

This weekend I have not one, but two races on the schedule. And, not just any races - two hilly mofo's. Saturday, I am running the Bearathon Half-Marathon in Waco (advertised as the hardest half marathon in Texas - HELLO Cameron Park hills) and Sunday I am running the Capitol 10k in Austin, also known for its hills. Both races I've run before, so I know what to expect as far as the course goes...but performance? I have no idea.

Bearathon Elevation Profile

It's been a while since I last raced. Phoenix was back in January, but since I didn't cross the finish line, really the last time I raced was the JFK 50 back in November. As someone who is used to racing pretty much every weekend, this has been a very long hiatus.

As such, the excitement of race week is a somewhat foreign entity at this point. Though the weekend is a few days away I'm already starting to think about it, the excitement of travel and racing slowly settling in.

I've got a few distractions on my plate before the races, which is good. That said I may have too many -- and I may kill any chance of knocking out a good race Sunday after Saturday's hilly half. I have no idea about how this is going to work out, but I'm not too worried: it's race week!

I don't want to set a time goal in either race, I just want to confirm that I'm getting stronger and back into race shape by finishing in a fairly close window to what I did last year at these races (around 1-2 minutes of last year's times would be just great- God are you listening?) Here are my reports from last year's Bearathon (1:35:03) and Cap 10k (40:52) races. I hold no hopes of besting last year's times as I was in really good (speed) shape last year, and I didn't run these races back to back either - but, I would like to come somewhat close.

However, I am aware that I've had runs and races that were tarnished with high expectations of required times. I succeeded in placing an immense amount of pressure on myself and as a result, often came up short of my goals. I know my perception of my running is reality. If I choose to see it as a form of torture or work, then it will be so. For me, I’m sticking to viewing my running as one of my daily joys and endorphin fixes. While I have several "it would be nice scenarios" in regards to upcoming races, the most important thing is to be out there enjoying the opportunity to race again, and do so pain free. I don't want to lose sight of the bigger picture.

I'm looking forward to lacing up my shoes on Saturday and Sunday, attaching a timing chip and giving it all I've got this weekend, whatever that may be!