The last two years I’ve taken time off from running over the holidays. Some of it is due to a crazy December work schedule. Some of it is due to family visiting. Some of it is due to travel.
Last year, I panicked. I assumed I’d lost all running ability. I adjusted my training schedule and realized I did not lose all running ability. Even with the time off, I got my beautiful half marathon PR of 2:33 at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in February.
This year, I’m panicking again. I tried to remember that I took the time off last year and was fine. The only problem: this year I have a half marathon in two weeks. Yikes. And, it’s not any half marathon. It’s the Clearwater Halfathon, possibly “the most challenging half marathon in Florida” (according to the race website). Double yikes.
Why is it challenging? It has two ascents over two “relatively” tall bridges connecting Clearwater to the barrier islands.
And, by “relatively” tall, they really mean gigantic, scary and huge. Triple yikes.
So, even though I’m trying not to panic, I am.
Even though I ran 7 pretty awesome miles on Sunday, I’m still panicking.
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| Awesome miles, but not awesome hair |
Even though I’ll have four more weekly runs and one more long run before the race, I’m still panicking.
Gah.
How do you deal with being unprepared for a race? Do you panic? Should I stop panicking? Ever run over “relatively” tall bridges? How does one do this?
