Get out of my comfort zone

[Veronica]

As I said in my write up about Barb's Race, the run terrifies me. But it's also what keeps me coming back, it's a challenge. So I've been thinking that I need to do some more running races, but I don't like the huge groups. I found this race which takes place at our local reservoir and says it gets only 300 runners, not 3,000! The road to the reservoir is one of my regular rides.

http://www.ccwater.com/losvaqueros/TarantulaRunElevations.asp#10k


I of course am contemplating the half. If I'm going to do it, I might just as well jump in with both feet. But geez a climb on a run of over 1200 feet! Yellow does this stuff all the time, but I'm wimpy.

It's 11 weeks away, so I think I have time to prepare.

Veronica

[spazzdog]

If you like to do a little traveling, the Philadelphia Distance Run is a great little half marathon. I did it about a decade ago when I was a runner.

WAY flat, beautiful course through historic Philly, great organization and support. It's in Sept, so if that's too soon for this year perhaps put it in your "next year" pile of choices.

Here's the link: http://philadelphia.competitor.com/

spazz

[Adventure Girl]

Yellow does this stuff all the time, but I'm wimpy.Absolutely not true!!!

[yellow]

p'shaw. You can certainly do that if you can do a HIM! :)

What about one of the PCTR (http://www.pctrailruns.com/)events? The seldom have more than a couple hundred runners. They are really well organized and super fun. But they are all on trail, so if you are looking for a pavement race, they they wouldn't be a good choice. The bonus is that there are tons of them, so you have lots of choices.

[Veronica]

Thanks for reminding about them Yellow. I want to use this winter to become a better runner and it looks like they have events every month. Events keep me focused. :cool:

And thanks AG for the vote of confidence.


Veronica

[Veronica]

I suppose now I'll have to think about trail running shoes.


Veronica

[maillotpois]

I was going to suggest one of the PCTR events yesterday, then got distracted at work before I could look up the link.

In addition to being small fields, I like the trail runs because a lot of it is really just super fast hiking, as opposed to running. :D

[KSH]

At the end of 2008 I had gotten a friend tied into doing a walking marathon with me for May 2009.

She was coming off the sofa (although relatively fit) and I was coming off an Ironman.

I think doing that marathon was the best thing for me. Training for it, made me go do a lot of local running races that I never would have done. It made me face my fear of running and fear of distances.

I basically did a walk/run combo for my training and for the marathon. As did she. It worked out great for both of us.

Anyways, I think if you take the time to focus on just running you will see that it's not all that bad.

I know for me, the marathon training was NOT miserable. I was shocked! I thought I would hate it. Sure, at times it was hard... the 16-18 mile days were not easy... but it wasn't completely miserable either.