Quote:
Originally Posted by kittycat40
My friend wants to run another one may 30th. Maybe. It is over the Brooklyn Bridge-- sounds neat. I feel like that was the best time I could acheive and I don't want to do worse. Silly reason to avaoid a race, huh?
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Kittycat - every race is unique. There are course variables like route, terrain, weather, crowds, and race support. There are personal variables like how you're feeling that day, your pacing strategy, how your training has been going, how you've fueled, and how you've tapered. Although it's great to get a
PR, it simply isn't realistic to expect to get faster every time you run. All you can do is go out and do the best you can, that day, all things considered.
There is no bad finishing time!! Sometimes the stars and planets align and you do get that
PR. But the vast majority of the time, it's just about getting out there, participating, and having fun. I don't mean this to sound like a lecture, but I do believe we put ourselves under needless stress by imposing unrealistic expectations. It makes the difference between enjoying the process and feeling disappointed in ourselves. And I choose to simply enjoy the process.
If this helps -- here's how I did on my 5 half marathons over the winter season:
#1 (Nov): 2:01 -
PR!!! Flat, fast course, perfect weather, everything clicked!!!
#2 (Dec): 2:04 - hot boring course, too much holiday food and felt a little sluggish, but still decent.
#3 (Jan): 2:12 - BONK city! Ran a 10K hard (
PR) the week before, kayaked for 4 hours the DAY before, legs were shot. Just glad to finish without dying. Kissed the medal when I got it.
#4 (Feb): 2:06 - better, tapered more this time. Up 3 pounds from the winter training season and a little tired from all the racing. So, not so bad. Didn't bonk.
#5 (Mar): 2:16 - only one WEEK after prior half, could care less what time I got. Treated it as a training run, not a race, on a course with more bridges (hills) than any of the others. Walked thru EVERY water stop, listened to the music, had fun. Finished.
Sorry this is so long ....
