Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Popping in.

It looks like I'm going to do something I never do: I'm going to pop into a race on Saturday.

I should SO try to do that with my hair sometime . . . 

This is very unlike me. I normally plan out my races months in advance. I'm a planner! But here I am deciding today to pop in to a race with little advance planning. And this is not just some little race -- it's a 10-miler. What's more, the race is Saturday morning at 9 and Owen and I have a wedding to go to Friday at 6.

Yeah, I'm popping into a 10 mile race the morning after an evening wedding.

What am I thinking?


I'm thinking I have a 13 mile run on the schedule for this weekend. Running 10 of those miles in a race situation would make them easier, especially because a handful of my friends are running the race, too. And the race will give me a chance to practice pacing over a long distance. I'll run the race and then tack on 3 slow miles afterward.

My plan then is to not taper at all this week and just run regularly. I'll treat the race as just part of my training. Of course, I'm sure I'll come up with a time goal or two between now and Saturday but I'll think about that later this week.

Until then, I've got an easy run on tap for tonight, which will be nice after last night's tempo run.

So tell me: Do you pop into races? Just run them on a whim? 
I don't think I've ever done this before . . . 

Thanks for stopping by! 

~ Felice


11 comments:

Unknown said...

those spontaneous race decisions sometimes make for the best experiences! have fun!

Melissa said...

I am queen of signing up for races at the last minute! Sometimes the races have been on my radar, other times not so much, but like you they are a good way to fit in miles for a long run...it breaks up the marathon training for sure! Best of luck :)

Marlene said...

I usually plan out my year with so many races anyway that there's no room for pop-ins, but I would definitely do it. :)

Love using a race as a long run! Good luck!!

Darlene said...

Nope...I'm a planner!

Unknown said...

That's a really good plan in my book - I would need that motivation of a race to get up and run my long run after a wedding :) Good Luck!

KT80 said...

I've never popped into a race, but I would consider it for a 5k. I run them because they are fun and I usually push myself just enough in them (when it's a 5k), and I also know I'm slow and won't ever place. Popping in is something I should do more of for 5ks when that's my scheduled distance for 1/2 training.

Rose @ Eat, Drink, and Be Meiri said...

I've never done a race on whim, but I've definitely done super long runs without planning for it. They usually go pretty well, too, since I don't have time to sit around dreading them.

macnic said...

I haven't done it... yet! Enjoy.

Casey said...

what a great idea! good luck!

Lora Abernathy said...

I kind of did it two Saturdays ago. The race was sort of on my radar, but I honestly didn't think I'd do it. Well, I did, and then I went and pulled weeds and hoed in a community garden for five hours later that afternoon. Good luck!

Being Robinson said...

i'm a big planner too, but sometimes i'll pop into a race on a whim. it's fun, and totally stress-free. so, good for you! hope you enjoy it :)

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