Or as I like to call it, National Peer Pressure Day! Seriously, go badger your friends and family to run today. Remind them how much better you are than them for running and tell them they can be cool like you for a day. I certainly have. And in the spirit of National Running Day, I extended that into National Running Week and last minute signed up for a race on Sunday. The Council Bluffs Half Marathon! There aren't too many half marathons around here, and since the next one isn't until September, I figured I'd jump on this one if I want to sleep in my own bed pre-race.
After last weekend's race blow up and subsequent Garmin purchase (full review coming soon), I've decided to conduct a little experiment. My struggles last weekend came from two places:
1.) I'm not in great racing shape.
2.) I struggle to pace myself in big groups.
The races are pretty close to the same distance (12.4 and 13.1), and 7 days won't improve my race shape that much, so Garmie's pace function will really be put to the test. Assuming I can bring that particular screen up again. I've worn the watch twice, but I already know I'm destined for a life of being garetarded.
I don't have many expectations going in (aside from a very doable PR), but I'm anxious to see what this race is all about. As a lifelong Nebraskan, we tend have certain stereotypes about our Council Bluffs neighbors. We'll see how the city presents itself on foot. The website shows the casinos pretty loud and proud on the home page, so... uh... well, they aren't exactly off to a good start with the stereotype debunking.
Hopefully the weather stays nice and the rain stays away for everyone this weekend. Yay racing season!
Posts
36 comments:
This is what makes me jealous. It is most definitely NOT racing season in Florida. I want to run a half, but I'll have to wait till fall.
Good luck on the race, hope the Garmin works great, and Happy Running Day!
You can configure the Garmin to put your favorite data fields on one screen (up to 4, if I remember right). I think mine is distance, time, current pace, average pace.
There's also a 'virtual partner' thing which will tell you if you're ahead or behind your target pace..
Good luck on the race!
Hooray peer pressure. You're going to love the Garmin, it's already changed my running a lot - and I'm just borrowing one still!
Good luck at the race!
I think running with the garmin will be a great help!! Good luck with it and I hope that you figure it out before the race!
The key to using a garmin is to actually read the little manual it comes with...did wonders for me!
Happy Running Day!!
i'm am the last person to peer pressure anyone into running right now, somehow the crutches seem to send a totally different message :D Good luck this weekend! :)
Go for that PR! DO IT!
I've decided I'm not very good in races either...I think I'm a better "trainer" than I am a "racer."
Pacing race day is difficult and I continue to struggle with it even with the garmin! Good luck this weekend and hope your first race with garmie treats you right :)
i suck at figuring paces in a race too. your garmin will serve you well. hope it's a good race! indeed... yay for racing season.
How 'bout I sit outside the Razzle Dazzle and wait for you to run by, hmm??
Happy National Running Day! Fun way to celebrate...have fun at the race.
Good luck! I'm sure you will do awesome!!
good luck! i'm jealous, i can hardly find any races around me once it starts heating up :-/ hope you figure out the garmin quickly - i sure have no idea how they work :)
Spur-of-the-moment race registration, what a great way to celebration National Running Day! I celebrated by getting my ass kicked on a track...and by eating ice cream!
I am proud of your braveness in voluteering, and paying no less, to go run in Council Bluffs. you got some cohonas, girl!
Have fun with the gremlin...I know it does a heckuva lot more fancy things, but I really only use it for the pacing and the pick-me-up beeping at every mile split. And YES, mine is on life 2 of 9 and working again! Yay!
So I was looking at the Omaha Marathon paper...and it says no headphones or music contraption of any sort WHA?! So I am either going illegal with my ipod or I'm not going at all. Pretty sure I won't make 26.2 miles sans musical intervention. Stay tuned.(no pun intended...ok maybe intended a little bit)
oh and FYI I have deemed punctuation spelling and capitalization to be optional in written communication after 9:00 PM
Have a great race. Garmin will definitely help you keep pace (just don't set the pace-alert zone too narrowly, as the alternating speed-up/slow-down beeps will drive you nuts.
I love continuously reminding others how very good running is for a person and that they really should do it and that they will feel all sorts of goodness from it.
It's time we had a NRD in NL.
Have a great week!
Congrats on the Garmin! It can definitely help keep you within your desired pace parameters :)
I like the little town rivalry you got going. The garmin has waaaay too many functions for me too. I've had mine since December and only use 1/4 of them.
Love the 'seize the opportunity' attitude! Happy National Running Week:)
Hope the Garmin helps with the pacing. Do you also know about the virtual training partner on there? That can also help with pacing.
I think the Garmin will really help with the pacing...at least it did for me. Good luck!
Have fun. I will be be there for the CB half marathon. I was going to run it until my injury. My dad is running in the 5K so I'm going to watch. I will cheer ya on if I see ya!
Good luck on the half-marry, sister!
I'll bet the better pacing will make a noticeable difference even if your fitness has not changed much. I always lose much more time than I "bank" early on in a long race. Good luck on your race and have fun with your new toy!!
have a good race! i have a love/hate relationship with the garmin, but overall i'm glad i have one. looking forward to hearing what you think!
Now, you are afflicted with Garmin Fever.
Welcome.
Another Garmin Slave.
Let me know how the race goes, I thought about doing it. Isn't CB where the ahem dirty dance club is located? I could've probably convinved a bunch of my guy friends to come and cheer me on...hah.
Good luck this weekend! I predict that you will really enjoy the pacing feature of Garmin . . . hope it all works okay for you.
My sister in law is from Council Bluffs. She was telling me that there are competitions involved between Omaha and Council Bluff. Anyhoo - Good Luck with the half mary in Council Bluffs.
Have a great race! I love the pacing feature on Garmin. It helps a lot when i pay attention to it. ;o)
MCM Mama
7 days will not improve your shape that much but it will improve your pain tolerance which is huge.
Have fun this weekend!
wahoo.. another race!! :) Good for you, you are on a role here! : )
Wasn't able to get anyone else out, but was able to represent myself on National Running Day.
And then to ruin that day who had a doughnut on National Doughnut Day?!
Oops, totally missed this post this week!
Love your contribution to NRD. Runners really ARE superior. :)
Good luck at the half this weekend!
Post a Comment