To Run or Not To Run
Next weekend is the 2nd Annual MayFest Road Race in Shipshewana a small town in the heart of Northern Indiana Amish Country. They are having a one-mile run and a four-mile run. It does not seem worthwhile to me to pay to do a one mile run. However, I'm not entirely sure that I can do a four mile run. I've been doing three mile jog/walks for the last few Saturdays. Today I averaged just over 16 minutes a mile. So, I'm certainly not breaking any land speed records.
I emailed the organizers to find out if this is an event in which people walk during the run or if it is for "serious runners" only. I think I will do it if it is more of a fun event and that not everyone participating will be done in less than half an hour! I feel like I need to experience what it is like to run with people in a group.
The park I go to is an oblong 1/2 mile path. I hate it when I feel that I have to speed up or slow down based on the person in front of or in back of me. I don't want people to feel bad passing me and I don't want to pass anyone just to end up slowing down to walk a minute. It's very stressful for me. I know that I need to let it go and the other people can decide what they want to do for themselves. I'm not there yet.
I emailed the organizers to find out if this is an event in which people walk during the run or if it is for "serious runners" only. I think I will do it if it is more of a fun event and that not everyone participating will be done in less than half an hour! I feel like I need to experience what it is like to run with people in a group.
The park I go to is an oblong 1/2 mile path. I hate it when I feel that I have to speed up or slow down based on the person in front of or in back of me. I don't want people to feel bad passing me and I don't want to pass anyone just to end up slowing down to walk a minute. It's very stressful for me. I know that I need to let it go and the other people can decide what they want to do for themselves. I'm not there yet.
posted by Jody at 8:37 PM
6 Comments:
Keep up the great workouts! Try to ignore everybody else out there! You're doing it, that's what matters! A thick skin is really helpful sometimes. :-)
I second what Nancy said! If you want a sense of whether there are walkers, see if you can find previous years results.
FWIW, I was last at my last road race, and they held the timer for me, and folks hung out to cheer me in. There are very supportive athletes out there everywhere!
I struggled with fear of being last before my first race--go to http://deeplanguage.blogspot.com/2005_05_01_deeplanguage_archive.html and read up from the bottom. But when it came to the event I really did have a sense of achievement that wasn't based at all on how well I did.
One of my tri-training partners has never done any kind of race before, so we are doing a 5K on May 13th, just to give her some exposure to the experience, and the feel of racing.
You should totally do the race. And, I understand your worries about what other people might think, but. . . you don't have any control over that. The only thing you have control over is yourself. If you think you will enjoy it, and if they aren't going to close the course on you (which, I don't think they would, in a local race like that). . . DO it! :)
Just found your blog. Fantastic. You are making huge gains each day. You should be proud. Do the race. If you walk, you walk. You have to start somewhere.
Hey, girl - my first 10K I was last. I mean llaaasssstttt. They were picking up the equipment behind me, and all the awards had been handed out...but I'd done it! Don't worry about how fast you are! You're doin' it!
Post a Comment
<< Home