A story of going from being a non-runner to planning for a marathon in three years...

Monday, November 28, 2011

Nightmares



This weekend I had two nightmares about the upcoming Las Vegas Marathon.

Why am I having nightmares about this race when I had very little anxiety about Milwaukee?

I think it's a combination of things.

1. Milwaukee went so well that I'm a little afraid it was a fluke.

2. My injuries are flaring up more now than they were before Milwaukee. I haven't been able to run as much as I did before Milwaukee.

3. My only goal for Milwaukee was to break 5 hours. But if I didn't, I had plenty of time to finish the race.

4. But Las Vegas has a (stupid) course limit of 4 hours and 30 minutes. You may recall I ran 4:36:58 in Milwaukee. So I have to shave 7 minutes off my PR in order to even finish before they shut down the course!

I am so freaking anxious about this course limit thing that I'm debating dropping down to the half marathon.

Both of my nightmares involved not finishing the race before the course time limit.

If one more person asks me if I'm going to see any shows while I'm in Vegas I might scream. I just want to go and get this race over with. Celebrate my friends' 10 year wedding anniversary and come home. I'm beginning to think I'm not cut out for big production marathons. Give me a "down home" race any day. That's much more my speed.
Posted by Erin at 4:00 PM
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kilax's avatar - Go to profile

kilax · 696 weeks ago

I know from running with you all summer that Milwaukee was not a fluke. You ran strong for every long run except the hilly, 90 degree, 22 miler. And, well, duh.

I understand the anxiety though. The course limit is ridic. I know that you have it in you, if your body doesn't give you any setbacks that day. I hope you still end up enjoying it!
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bobbi · 696 weeks ago

First off, I KNOW you have a sub 4:30 in you.

That said - you never know what race day will bring. If the stress is too much, there is no shame in dropping to the half and having FUN. Sometimes FUN is totally worth it :) You've done a hell of a lot this year, either way...
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Rose's avatar

Rose · 696 weeks ago

Maybe you run a 4:30 marathon. Maybe you don't. Either way, you'll be running along the Las Vegas strip at night, which is going to be AWESOME.
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Shannon's avatar

Shannon · 696 weeks ago

I am also doing the full and a little stressed out about the time limit. It really only applies to the first 13.1 miles. If you read the facebook page, there are lots of conversations about it. If you can do the first half in 2 hours and 15 minutes, then you are fine. I know you can do this! You run way faster than me and my current PR is right around 4:37. I am using the time limit as a motivator. I think I could run a 4:30 if I wanted to.
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laurenruns 35p · 696 weeks ago

The Las Vegas course will be fast! It's an out and back for the 13.1, which makes it quick for that part at least. And the crowd support will keep you going!

I'm also against the course limit, so I say all the power to you on getting in late if that happens - although I'm placing bets that it won't for you!
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April · 695 weeks ago

So I did the Vegas mini marathon a few years ago and it was totally awesome. That said, the people who did the marathon didn't have good things to say about it. At the halfway point when the 13.1 runners run back from downtown back to the end of the strip, they veer off into the desert for 13.1 miles. I've heard it's super boring. That said - at least it's flat and the weather was PERFECT for running that time of the year in Vegas. So if you don't care as much about scenery (or lack therof) maybe you could kick its butt! I think you have it in you, but if you dropped to the half I totally wouldn't blame you!

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