It's Tuesday and I have never looked forward to a long weekend like I am today. Some people are thinking about the elections; Who will be the next leader of the "free" world?!? Don't get me wrong, it's a concern of mine but as of now I'm using the joy of watching the New York City Marathon to project me into an amazing run this weekend as I take on 13.1 and #RunRichmond! Did I say I was excited?!?!?!
Let's talk about the TCS NYC Marathon.. Omg, so much awesomeness in one race. I mean LOCATION, location, location! You get to literally run NYC! The whole city, all 5 boroughs are yours for the taking and that alone sounds amazing. I heard one of the announcers say that it is one of the hardest, if not the hardest marathon course and that intrigued me; I love a challenge! It had me so excited on Sunday that I ended that day knowing that a marathon was closer then I thought it was just a week ago. Oh all the feels were great!!! I kept checking up on the folk on Instagram I follow and I too got excited as they each bragged about such an amazing accomplishment! For some this run was their first, others just another challenge all amazing in its own way and ohhhh so inspiring!
Last night I checked my email and I found my email from the Anthem Richmond Marathon (more feels erupted) with my virtual bag. Guess what's inside.. on top of the buy one get one free from Pro Compression; which I will be using on Friday; they are offering the marathon for $70 or $60 for the half and I am pretty sure I will take the plunge and sign up for the FULL!!! I mean why not... It will be the 40th anniversary and I mean, I want a challenge.. so why not double the furthest I've ever ran and take a year to train so I can do so with ease! I wouldn't be me if this was not my train of thinking... weird I know. You should join in!!! Yeah you!
Other than fantasizing about the marathons I would love to run in the future I've been dreaming of a strong finish for the half marathon this weekend. I do mean literally dreaming about a strong finish. My husband is convinced it's just me taking a glimpse into my future and I'll take that cause the joys (more feels) I felt when I woke up this am are worth waiting for! On top of dreaming of a strong and fast finish I've been trying to strategize at the same time.
I know that I am the type of runner that gets excited for competition. Due to this I tend to go out hard and fast in the beginning leaving my body depleted by the end of the first 10k. So after reading over 25 blogs (I swear it's more, but I tend to exaggerate so I'll leave it there) from runners who have tackled the Richmond Half Marathon over the past 5 years.. here's what I've learned:
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| I voted but I didnt see " This guy" on the ballot |
Let's talk about the TCS NYC Marathon.. Omg, so much awesomeness in one race. I mean LOCATION, location, location! You get to literally run NYC! The whole city, all 5 boroughs are yours for the taking and that alone sounds amazing. I heard one of the announcers say that it is one of the hardest, if not the hardest marathon course and that intrigued me; I love a challenge! It had me so excited on Sunday that I ended that day knowing that a marathon was closer then I thought it was just a week ago. Oh all the feels were great!!! I kept checking up on the folk on Instagram I follow and I too got excited as they each bragged about such an amazing accomplishment! For some this run was their first, others just another challenge all amazing in its own way and ohhhh so inspiring!
Last night I checked my email and I found my email from the Anthem Richmond Marathon (more feels erupted) with my virtual bag. Guess what's inside.. on top of the buy one get one free from Pro Compression; which I will be using on Friday; they are offering the marathon for $70 or $60 for the half and I am pretty sure I will take the plunge and sign up for the FULL!!! I mean why not... It will be the 40th anniversary and I mean, I want a challenge.. so why not double the furthest I've ever ran and take a year to train so I can do so with ease! I wouldn't be me if this was not my train of thinking... weird I know. You should join in!!! Yeah you!
Other than fantasizing about the marathons I would love to run in the future I've been dreaming of a strong finish for the half marathon this weekend. I do mean literally dreaming about a strong finish. My husband is convinced it's just me taking a glimpse into my future and I'll take that cause the joys (more feels) I felt when I woke up this am are worth waiting for! On top of dreaming of a strong and fast finish I've been trying to strategize at the same time.
I know that I am the type of runner that gets excited for competition. Due to this I tend to go out hard and fast in the beginning leaving my body depleted by the end of the first 10k. So after reading over 25 blogs (I swear it's more, but I tend to exaggerate so I'll leave it there) from runners who have tackled the Richmond Half Marathon over the past 5 years.. here's what I've learned:
- The first 5k is flat. Be cautious of going out too hard or too fast.
- Miles 5.5- 7.5 (roughly) are the Bryan Park miles which consist of rolling hills. Everyone warned against this area. Commenting that there is a lack of crowd participation and the hills can make or break the second half of your race.
- There is small out and back area. In this area you can see those ahead as well as behind you. There has been mixed reviews as some found it motivating and others found it daunting.
- Back to flatness... This should be good!
- The final part of the race is a quad (un) pleaser; get it quad pleaser, crowd pleaser LOL! In other words it's downhill trot to the finish line. Many talk about hitting their fastest times. This is where I plan on letting go and letting gravity do what it does as long as I stay on both feet! A sure wayof making up any time lost in Bryan Park.. although pretty late in the game.
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| The course |
So what's my plan:
- TRUST MY TRAINING; I've been using Nike for a while I've now ran 2 half marathons and have only gotten better each time. So there is nothing else to do but to trust what I know, and leave it all on the course
- STAY OUT OF MY HEAD; I get in there and I know how to ruin myself! So I promise to stay out of there and let the "music make me lose control." Dance a little, wave hi to spectators and enjoy myself.
- RUN MY RACE; Although I have goals anything can go wrong. So I will listen to my body and allow it to do whatever it needs to get through all 13.1 miles.
- Most importantly: I will be the best me I can be! Running reaffirms my love for humanity, my confidence in myself; mind and body and my love for running! Strangers helping strangers, cheering for one another and keeping each other safe. Pushing each other! I am looking to being out there with all the runners from all over and completing my first Richmond Half Marathon.
Don't forget that you can track me by downloading the Run Richmond app for Apple and Android.
Here's my bib number.. #20280
Keep up with my training: @HerbNRun ; Let's motivate each other to be better! Hope to see you out there this weekend! Its suppose to be a cold one so bundle up!!
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