Ugh, so where do I even start with this post?
Do I start this story late last October when the Mousecapades began? Or do I just start with Friday night, the night before the Pride Race?
My intentions for the first race of the weekend was to use the 5-mile race as a part of a ten mile training run being as I haven’t completed a longer run in a few weeks. After being up until the wee hours Friday night dealing with the Mousecapades of 2012, I guess you can figure out that the early morning pre-race 5-miler didn’t happen.
When I did manage to roll out of bed I really wanted to bag the race all together but managed to talk myself into going.
Somehow, I magically made it to the starting line on time. I choked down a vanilla flavored gu for a quick breakfast and waited for the race to begin. The gun went off and I let the runners around me pass by without a blink, not all races are for racing. I was simply happy that I had made it there and have the ability to run.
The first mile of the race included the biggest hill in Central Park, Harlem Hill. When I passed the marker for mile two, I actually thought it was a mistake. Never in my life have two miles felt so long. I chugged through the five mile race to end up with a total of seven miles for the day.
Sunday’s race, the Governor’s Island 10k, was an almost identical rerun of Saturday morning except I grabbed Honey Stingers as a last minute breakfast instead of gu. Once again, my intentions were to run extra miles before the race, but it didn’t happen.
I woke up frantically late, yet managed to make it to the ferry on time. Being realistic about how my legs were feeling I had zero expectations for the race.
Although I was feeling fatigued the miles went by a little faster than they did on Saturday. Overall, it was still an adventurous day with lovely friends running an unusual course that included cobble stones, a long stretch of running in the grass and stairs.
It’s been quite some time since my physical exhaustion hasn’t come from a week of hard workouts but from other stressful situations. It’s amazing to me how non-physical events are felt with one’s entire being.
Maybe it’s my body’s way of telling me to schedule a late Summer vacation.
Tell me, do you have any fun vacation plans for the summer?
Did you run a race this weekend? How did it go?
Congrats on both your races. I totally agree about how stress, etc. can effect your entire body.
congrats on two races in one weekend! I hope you have a less stressful week ahead!
Congrats on completing both runs! It is truly inspiring to see someone who thought they couldn’t do something complete it with flying colors. I am not a runner, but a walker training for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer…and I know how hard it is to get going in the mornings. God for you!!! You should be proud of yourself!
So didn’t love the grassy section of today’s race! At least it was a beautiful day. Congrats on finishing both races!
The tough runs make you appreciate the good ones even more 🙂
This June has been the worst running month I’ve had in…I don’t know how long. I don’t chalk it up to the weather or my body being tired, either, but instead more to the stress of wrapping up my first year of grad school, joining a lab, ramping up work, and a new puppy to housetrain. It really is amazing how your emotional state can really alter your energy level. Everybody says it – but it’s never rang more true for me than this month. These types of struggles make you stronger, though. I want to be a runner for life – and I’m sure life will show me many more struggles than those I’ve experienced thus far, so this is just practice!
I’ve got fun vacation plans for August! Going out West to Portland, OR to visit family with my man/dogs. Standup paddle-boarding, hiking, camping, white water rafting, and a trip to the coast are all in order. To say that I can’t freaking wait would be an understatement!
I think you should definitely plan a vacation!
Jen, that sounds amazing! I hope you have a great trip and get rid of some of that stress!
You should just be proud that you finished both of those races! It is the worst feeling when you wake up on race day not feeling so hot. I did run this weekend! It was a hot/humid weekend here in Minneapolis, but I managed a 4.5 miler on Sunday. I dragged along the boyfriend, who is not a “runner,” but I decided not to tell him how long of a run we were going on. I broke the news when we got home and he was super excited when I told him how far he had run 🙂
I completely understand that feeling of emotional exhaustion. Though I am not dealing with mice (eeek!), I have had other things running me down recently. With this in mind, and because marathon training is one week away, I gave myself some leeway to relax this past weekend. Much needed and much appreciated.
Congrats on finishing the races (especially considering the circumstances)!
Congrats on both races/runs this weekend!! I always tell myself that I’m not going to race a race but then the gun goes off and I can’t help myself. LOL.
My husband, son, and I are going to LBI for a week in Aug. It should be a great time b/c my dad, older sister, her hubby, and daughter are also going to be done there (we rent condos in the same building). Definitely looking forward to some r and r !! =)
no races this weekend, but i cheered on my sister and friends at the Fairfield Half. It was a hot one, but my sister PRed at 1:53 – she was flying and looked so happy! Esp, relaxing at the beach after 🙂
my summer plans are approaching – and i could not be any more excited!
fire island w a big crew from HS this friday through the 4th, denver for 6 days in july, belize fo 5 days in august! lots of fun in the sun waiting for me 🙂
i totally hear everyone re: emotional exhaustion, it’s almost paralyzing! trying to push through it though. i am on the fence about training for NYC in Nov, i really want to but i struggle running in the heat and battled patella tendonitis this past fall – i feel like i need to decide, um, now?! if i plan to train. help!? thoughts?!