Concerned
Posted: November 2, 2011 at 7:00 amThis weekend. This weekend. This weekend! Gah! My very first half marathon is this weekend. So, you can imagine my concern when I woke up feeling absolutely horrid yesterday morning. Uh-oh.
Must. Not. Get. Sick.
As the day went on, I realized that I didn’t feel feverish and my morning congestion went away. I was simply left with a massive headache and intense lower back pain. I coerced Peter into giving me a long (and painful) massage last night and it seems to have helped. Now I just need to get caught up on the tons of sleep my body apparently craves. I’ve slept more than normal recently, but my body still feels exhausted and in need of more more more sleep. I sincerely hope I’m not fighting something off and wind up sick come this weekend. Eeep!
Although not getting sick isn’t the only concern I face with the race. On the whole, I feel well prepared and trust my training. I don’t doubt I can run the 13.1 miles and do so strongly. I do, however, wonder about a few other areas.
The Crowds
23,000 people will race the Savanna Rock N Roll Marathon and Half Marathon. 23,000! That sounds unreal to me! Every race I have done so far doesn’t have many crowds at all. How long will I feel like a packed sardine? How long will it take before I can find my stride? How will I manage finding Peter and the many other friends I plan to see at the race? How will I handle transportation to the race?!
Planned remedy: Use the crowds for energy! Also, plan ahead for race morning travel with lots of extra time and have set meeting places for post-race.
Loop vs Out and Back
I run all of my runs in an out and back fashion. We don’t have any areas that allow for going down various streets that connect for a nice loop. My area isn’t uber runner friendly. I actually like the out and back paths though because, mentally, I feel stronger with a mental image of what to expect on the remainder of my run. Sometimes, I have felt discouraged not knowing what lay ahead or exactly how much longer I have in other races.
Planned remedy: Study the course map beforehand and enjoy the scenery and bands along the way!
Hills?
I’m not very good reading a coarse elevation map. I do know that almost all of my long runs happened on a running pathway that has only one moderate hill and a few small hills. That looks like a pretty good, steady incline from mile 4.5 to mile 8…but only around 70 feet in elevation changes is nothing, right?
Planned remedy: Even if the run is hilly, I trained on killer hills many, many times during other runs of my training.
Traveling
I feel so nervous that I will forget something key, like my shoes, and not realize it until I’m five hours away from home in Savannah. I’m pretty good at having a scattered brain…especially when packing in a hurry, which never fails to happen with two kids.
Planned remedy: Make a list. Do a mental run through of everything I need while checking my bags. And remember a huge race has a huge expo, if I do forget anything. Oh – and WEAR my shoes when traveling so I don’t leave those. 
Looking at my few concerns makes me feel better actually. I see I can have it somewhat under control and that what really matters, the running, will happen no matter what. I got this!!! Savannah, watch out. I’m ready!
- What ways do you calm nerves before a big event?
- Are you a well-planned or forgetful packer?
Tags: half marathon, running
I’m definitely a packer and a list maker! I always start making lists days in advance, and then I’ll also make a to do and to pack list for the morning of, so I don’t forget little things like my phone charger, shoes, wallet or snacks!
Good luck! I’m living vicariously through you this weekend — my first half is next weekend. I can’t believe it’s almost here! The one I’ll be running is capped at something like 1,500, though. I can’t imagine running in a crowd of 23,000. Wow! Have a great time!
You too!!!! I can’t wait to hear about yours. 🙂
Tina – funny about the elevation comment. When I did this 20K Dam to Dam race back in June they had a hill on the elevation map that looked pretty challanging. I went back (using my Garmin) and looked at the graphs of my training runs so I could see how it compared to the hills I had done. When I saw “it’s like the hill on 50th street” I felt a LOT better!
You will rock this:) I can’t wait to read about it!
Tina, you are going to KILL it Saturday! Just keep giving your body the rest it needs and make those lists! I hate making travel lists (most to do type lists actually), but they totally help with anxiety and you will be super prepared.
I just finished my first 10K and found it very crowded. I liked the people cheering on the sidelines and as for the runners, I would choose someone to stick behind for a while so I didn’t feel cramped, then choose someone I wanted to pass and hook in in front of that person. I was pretty comfortable space wise and time flew 🙂
aww I hope you stay healthy and strong Tina!! And just remember that being somewhat nervous is healthy.
And I LIKE to think I’m an okay packer, though I’m not GREAT at it, haha. I usually go pretty light with my packing, so I don’t tend to “forget” many things since I plan on not needing those things at all. But being forgetful about other stuff, forget about it. hah!
You sound like you’ve got this under fairly good control! Breaking down what makes you nervous and your plan of attack is AWESOME and will pay off big-time on race day so you can concentrate on one thing: enjoying the pay-off for all of your hard work!!!
U will do great! I lived (and ran) there for 2 yrs. Unless you run over the massive bridge into SC, it shouldn’t be all that hilly. Also, there are some running stores there too– fleet feet is one of them. They have a j cristopher’s too! I suggest Sunday brunch @soho south cafe or dinner @sweet potatoes or toucan cafe. Check out the menus! Have fun!!
Thanks for the recs! I know I”m going to be looking for some good places to eat!
You are going to ROCK that half marathon. Your training has been stellar!
I’ve done R-n-R races and the crowds can be awesome and annoying. I find miles fly when the course is crowded because there are lots of distractions and people to pace with. However, the water stops get a bit hairy. My tip is to go the furthest person in line. Everyone will crowd first volunteer, keep moving. It’s not butting, don’t worry.
ALSO! If you’re going to be driving a distance home, I’d recommend comfy, non sweaty, nonstinky clothes for the ride back. And yes, I’ve repinned my bib to my sweats. 🙂
GOOD LUCK! I’m very excited to read your recap. You’re going to be amazed at your experience.
How exciting for you! Good luck and I can’t wait to hear how it went! I calm pre-race nerves by thinking of it as a good workout. No matter what happens, at least you got an awesome workout in for the day!
[…] to have some new tunes to power me through my half on Saturday. Speaking of which, thanks for all the support on the concerns I voiced earlier. You guys (<—rock). Just like my new […]
My body likes to rebel if I am pushing myself hard in exercise. I tend to get sick the week before my period if I am pushing it at the gym. Not even pushing it in a bad way, just upping mileage or weights. I’ll feel like I have the flu for a day and than it’s gone, with only lingering congestion to deal with. You’ll do great, just trust the training and remember not to settle into a pace…that’s the hardest part!
I’m so excited to hear about your first half!!! You have trained so hard – I know you will do great!! It seems like you have thought everything through! I hope this makes for an amazing, FUN race!!
oh my gosh you’ll totally be great!! the inagural rock n roll came to st louis and there were 20,000 runners and i was worried and it went fantastic and was a total blast! you’ll be a rock star and i can’t wait for the recape! best of luck though you won’t even need it!!
To ease some of your fears I am also running the Savannah 1/2 as my first! I ran 12 of the 13 miles of the race course a few weekends ago and don’t worry about the elevation. I have done all my training runs in Savannah which is practically flat and running the course was no problem. Ok I won’t go that far..but the hills weren’t bad! I am also nervous about the crowds & have been warned to not focus on time for this race. The first several miles will be tight and probably slow. So relax & enjoy:) Do plan for extra time in the am, as the downtown area will be packed!! Hope you feel better…you trained hard & will do great this weekend!
Thanks so much, Emma!!!
Ah I’d be feeling so nervous too!
But don’t worry I’m sure with all the preparation you’ve been doing you’ll be absolutely fine.
As someone who doesn’t run I can’t really offer much advice other than to enjoy every minute of it 🙂
I hope you’re feeling much better!
Good luck!! I can’t wait to read all about your first half marathon!
you will kick ass and take names I am sure of it. you put in the work (those “hills up there” look pretty easy, the race seems pretty flat), now you get to enjoy it! there will be TONS of people around and lots of fun from the sidelines to keep you smiling (just make sure Peter texts you so you know where to look for him and a good photo) and if you forget anything RnR expos have EVERYTHING practically 🙂
cant wait to see the recap!
You are going to rock it! Looks like you are well prepared 🙂