Virtual Race, Real Trepidation

I have been SO BAD about running over the past few weeks. I'm currently terrified that I'm going to bomb at my 5K on Saturday.

See, I didn't run at all on Wednesday. I had to go pick up my shirt to wear when I volunteered at the 5K on Thursday night. I didn't run on Thursday because all my lunch-time running buddies bailed on me and I couldn't find the motivation to get sweaty all on my own. I didn't run on Friday because, well, I didn't.

So, Saturday, I told myself I was definitely going to run. I actually had motivation because the LJ Runners Community was having a virtual 5K race. My plan was to run at an 8:30 minute per mile pace. Slower than what I want to do at my actual 5K but still pushing it for me on my own.

What I didn't take into account was the horrific humidity. Or the fact that the weird muscle cramps I'd been experiencing the day before actually meant something (yes, they were PMS cramps).

Weather Underground indicated that the humidity was around 96% when I left the house around 8:15 AM. It was like walking out into a wall. I ran my first mile faster than I had intended. And then, about a quarter mile after that, my quads, my lower back, and my abdomen seized up. It was horrible. I didn't want to walk, but I had to. In fact, I almost stopped altogether and went home. Almost. Instead, I walked for about three minutes, gritted my teeth, and started running again. I made it another three quarters of a mile before I had to take another walk break. This one was shorter, though. Then it was back to running.

Overall, I finished 3.1 miles in 29:03 with an average pace of 9:22. More than a full minute slower than I want to run my real 5K. Good thing this was a virtual one, huh?

So, yeah, I'm hoping that this upcoming Saturday the weather is better. I shouldn't have any cramping issues. And I promise not to drink two glasses of wine the night before!

Regardless, I'm still scared. I haven't trained at all for this race and I know I should have. But, there's not much I can do now.

Also, speaking of being scared, I going to try and run with the Oak Park Runners Club tonight. I'm always terrified when I run with a new group of people. What if no one my speed shows up? What if I get left behind? What if I get lost? What if people are cliquish? Please tell me I'm not the only person who thinks these things before running with a group where you don't know anyone!

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Virtual 5K Stats

Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 620 ft Location: Forest Park, IL Elev. Gain: +0 ft Date: 08/08/09 Up/Downhill: [+13/-13] Time: 08:17 AM Difficulty: 1.9 / 5.0   Weather: Light Rain Fog/Mist   72 F temp; 90% humidity   72 F heat index; winds S 14 G 20 Performance Distance: 3.10 miles Time: 0:29:03 Speed: 6.4 mph Pace: 9' 22 /mi Calories: 354 Map   Elevation (ft)   Pace (min/mile)   Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Elevation Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 8' 09 -1' 13 7.4 +1.0 +3 ft 2 10' 20 +0' 58 5.8 -0.6 -3 ft 3 9' 33 +0' 11 6.3 -0.1 0 ft end 8' 01 -1' 21 7.5 +1.1 0 ft Versus average of 9' 22 min/mile

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