Rocky Raccoon 100 training week 21.
Holy crap. This whole time I've basically been working on a 21 week training schedule, knowing that 21 weeks would take me up to race week. 21 was the magic number. And here we are, at the end of week 21.
Not much to report this week. I ran to work twice, the minimum run I can do to work, 7 miles. My legs felt very heavy and tired both times, which I interpreted to mean I should maybe taper a little more aggressively than I originally intended. My weekend runs were 6 and 4 (trail) this weekend, and they both felt fairly good. The weather was warm and humid for Saturday, and I spent the whole time trying to send out whatever energy I could into the universe that that would NOT be the weather for Rocky. Then a cold front came through overnight and cooled things down for Sunday. I could stand Sunday's weather for Rocky.
And yes, I have already started looking at the weather. I don't have a lot of stress tied to it, other than I'd really prefer it not be super warm and humid. But since I mostly hate that weather when I'm trying to run a certain pace, and the only pace I'm trying to run at Rocky is "forward", I'm mostly just watching the weather to decide what to wear. I mean, I'll take 2 of everything, but it'd be nice to not take my puffy jacket if it's never going to be below 60 degrees, or take a sleeveless shirt if it's never going to be above 20 degrees. Neither of those scenarios look likely at this point.
I'm working 3 days this week, which will presumably seem like the longest 3 days in the history of ever. Two short runs, Tuesday and Thursday. Thursday I am taking off work to Get Stuff Done. Packing, bag creating, food preparing, etc. I could get it all done over the week and before we leave town Friday, but it's nice knowing I have an entire day devoted just to that. And sleeping in. I'm banking as much sleep as I can while I can.
Otherwise I'm just trying to stay calm and only think about the race if I can think positive thoughts. If I start to panic, I stop thinking about the race entirely. I'm trying to make sure I think of everything that needs to be packed and prepared by making about 15 different lists. I'm only sort of kidding. I literally have 6 different lists of things currently.
I have crew. I have pacers. I have a dog sitter. I have people coming out to cheer. I have people sending me wonderful messages of encouragement already. I am intensely lucky and incredibly fortunate.
And in 6 days, I will run 100 miles.
Not much to report this week. I ran to work twice, the minimum run I can do to work, 7 miles. My legs felt very heavy and tired both times, which I interpreted to mean I should maybe taper a little more aggressively than I originally intended. My weekend runs were 6 and 4 (trail) this weekend, and they both felt fairly good. The weather was warm and humid for Saturday, and I spent the whole time trying to send out whatever energy I could into the universe that that would NOT be the weather for Rocky. Then a cold front came through overnight and cooled things down for Sunday. I could stand Sunday's weather for Rocky.
And yes, I have already started looking at the weather. I don't have a lot of stress tied to it, other than I'd really prefer it not be super warm and humid. But since I mostly hate that weather when I'm trying to run a certain pace, and the only pace I'm trying to run at Rocky is "forward", I'm mostly just watching the weather to decide what to wear. I mean, I'll take 2 of everything, but it'd be nice to not take my puffy jacket if it's never going to be below 60 degrees, or take a sleeveless shirt if it's never going to be above 20 degrees. Neither of those scenarios look likely at this point.
I'm working 3 days this week, which will presumably seem like the longest 3 days in the history of ever. Two short runs, Tuesday and Thursday. Thursday I am taking off work to Get Stuff Done. Packing, bag creating, food preparing, etc. I could get it all done over the week and before we leave town Friday, but it's nice knowing I have an entire day devoted just to that. And sleeping in. I'm banking as much sleep as I can while I can.
Otherwise I'm just trying to stay calm and only think about the race if I can think positive thoughts. If I start to panic, I stop thinking about the race entirely. I'm trying to make sure I think of everything that needs to be packed and prepared by making about 15 different lists. I'm only sort of kidding. I literally have 6 different lists of things currently.
I have crew. I have pacers. I have a dog sitter. I have people coming out to cheer. I have people sending me wonderful messages of encouragement already. I am intensely lucky and incredibly fortunate.
And in 6 days, I will run 100 miles.