Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Four Days Till Canberra



The countdown is on. Four days till Canberra. So far so good. My inner crazy lady has so far not come out to play and I'm taking a lot of encouragement from that.

Last year before my first interstate race I spent the whole week before in a stomach-churning state of anxiety culminating in a quick trip to the doctors for a script to get me through it. So already I'm counting this trip as a win.

I even had a moment last night when I got excited about going - so nice to feel like a normal person for a change. All it took was a few texts back and forth with a lovely friend who lives down there. It was a reminder of why I'd chosen Canberra in the first place. Any day I get to spend time with Karen is a good day. Between her and my in-laws, I've got most of my free time covered. And that's a good thing because less free time = less time to think = less chance of being a crazy lady.

I'm so happy with my state of mind that I've set myself some goals for the race. My first is to get to the start line without drugs. If I can do the whole weekend without breaking into my stash I'll be happy.

The second goal is to eat on Saturday. Believe me this can be no small task when I'm nervous. My stomach just closes up and I can't force anything down. It's great for weight management but not so great for running an endurance race.

The third goal is to run it under 2 hours. Can you see what I'm doing here? That's right - I'm putting absolutely no pressure on myself to perform. That can (and will) happen once the gun goes off and I get caught up in the race excitement. I know I can run under 2 hours - I've been doing that on my long slow Saturday runs every week. And by taking away any pressure I've got a better chance of meeting my first two goals. It's a plan that's almost genius in its simplicity.

And I have a mantra - "You can only run as fast as you can run." How's that for no pressure? No expectations - I'm just going to do the best that I can do on the day.

I just have one favour to ask. In the spirit of putting absolutely no pressure on myself, please no mention about race times in the comments section.

23 comments:

  1. What a great attitude!!
    Good luck can't wait to hear how you go!!

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  2. Have a great TIME at the RACE. Ha ha - couldn't help myself :-)

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  3. You'll have a blast. How far is the race? I'm curious about what is easy to do in 2 hours. It's so much fun to travel and see friends that the race can be the little thing you do.

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  4. Good luck Char - you'll kill it! Piece of cake!

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  5. Great goals. You should add "have fun and want to do it again" :-)

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  6. I'm learning to love the no expectations races this year...it sure helps calm the stomach down.

    Now, are you going to gun for a PR??? ;)
    Haha. Good luck, Char. Have a blast!

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  7. Enjoy seeing your friends and enjoy the race. It sounds like it should be fun!

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  8. Good to see some people making it to the line ;) It will be an enjoyable weekend. I've got a few friends running in the Canberra festival. Once the gown goes off you'll be more than right!

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  9. I'm kinda with Jill, if I set my expectations low and don't build it up in my mind I seem to run better - you'll be great, best wishes!

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  10. This is not an interstate race. This is an interstate holiday to see friends and family with a long run thrown in. Enjoy your drug-free, anxiety-free weekend! ;)

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  11. Good luck babe! I know you don't need it. You will be as awesome and as inspirational as always!

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  12. You will be sparkling and fabulous Char! I will live vicariously through you!

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  13. Enjoy the race Char! Best wishes!

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  14. Yay! I am not alone in the I can't eat before a race! It seems we are finding more and more we have in common. I love your mantra and enjoy each step of your journey. Take care!

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  15. I love your mantra - gonna remember that. In fact I might even mix it up and use it in other areas of my life, too!!
    I hope that the next 4 days are not stressful for you and that you can continue to feel excited about the weekend trip and race!!!

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  16. With all this trouble to get to the start line, I hope this isn't going to be just a long run... I hope you make your coach proud by putting in the effort you have trained for...

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  17. I think you are going to surprise yourself and us and will be great at this race, start with a full stomach and don't need drugs before the race.

    Good luck but most of all: HAVE FUN!

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  18. All the best and enjoy! Have lots of fun!

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  19. All the very best. Although this was not my best interstate race last year it was still a great place to visit and a wonderful run!!

    Enjoy the scenes and atmosphere.

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  20. Hope it goes well! Good luck!!!

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  21. You know the times thing means nothing to me at all anyway....

    Am very behind in my blog reading so this is now done and dusted, so I'm looking forward to the update!
    xx

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Thanks for taking the time to comment. I love hearing from you.