Marathoners know the perils of Taper Madness. That is, in the final few weeks before the big race, we turn down the miles and turn up the Crazy. It makes sense that this would happen. A marathon is a big challenge, no matter how experienced you are. And you know what helps all of us runners relieve stress and keep from losing our damned minds? Running. Which, during the taper, you are doing signficantly less of.
Not long ago, I predicted that, since I'm training for a trisko, I'd avoid any of the Crazy. The distance isn't nearly as daunting to me - I have no doubt in my mind that I can finish it. And no taper mean no Taper Madness, right?
Please, take a moment to laugh at me. Go ahead. I'll wait.
Because the truth of the matter is, I get nervous before every single race. I was full-blown crazy before the marathon, to be sure, but I feel butterflies even when I'm about to do a 5K.
My nervousness defies reason. That 5k, 4 miler, 7 miler, or even the trisko? I know I can finish these distances. I even know I'm not going to come in last... and it's not like there's any chance I'm going to win or even get an age group award. There is absolutely no pressure on me whatsover. And yet, nervous crazy thoughts abound as I wait for the race to start.
I have started to get nervous about the trisko already. Again, I know I'm not coming in last, and I know I'm not going to win anything. My race goal of "whatever"? I'm pretty sure I can pull that one off. Plus, since this is my first trisko, I have a guaranteed PR.
So, why was I up last night, unable to sleep, running through scenerios and mile splits in my head?
2 comments:
If others can deal with my last few days of pre-test (FF1) jitters, I hope they can deal with you. I know full well my propensity to over-analyze and over-think everything. For you part, you have your neighborhood friendly hill to welcome you to the early miles and for you to smoke. You are going to do great - the sleeplessness will only help the run or at least that's what I keep telling myself. Good luck!
I'm definitely getting the jitters with tomorrow's race. A lot of it is due to wanting to get a good time (one that indicates a 4-hour marathon could be in the cards for me). But I'm also concerned about my right calf, which has been really tight lately (plus I have a touch of shin splints). However, I'm sure the jitters I feel today will be NOTHING compared to the jitters I feel June 7, the day before my marathon!
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