April 25, 2014

We Run DC this Weekend: When Goals Change

Well before I get to more Boston fun I suppose I should mention I'm running the Nike Women's DC half again this year.  And the race is this weekend.  How did that sneak up on me?
Photo: Race weekend in DC has officially begun.

Head over to Washington Harbour to pick up your packet and check out all the perks in the Expotique.

THU: 12:00PM – 8:00PM
FRI: 10:00AM – 8:00PM
SAT: 8:00AM – 6:00PM
from the Nike Women's Race Series page
I ran this race last year (read about it here and here!) and while I had some mixed feelings about the expo and race, I decided to run it again as a Truebar-fueled athlete sponsored by Bakery on Main. I love having Truebars before or after runs. I usually eat half a bar before a run and the other half afterwards before I make another snack!  I like the fairly flat course and a little blue box from Tiffany's never hurts. I saw via social media that Shalane will be there again, and I'm secretly hoping to meet her.  It was amazing coming across the finish line and slapping her hand last year.  

Had some Truebars with me to watch the Boston Marathon!



My story all spring is that I haven't really been training and have just been running races on the weekends. Good strategy, I know. In the winter I thought that I'd train for my spring races, with my eye on another PR at the Nike Women's DC half marathon like last year (where I finally got a sub 1:40 half time!). Last year it was an emotional race for me, pushing myself to a PR and crying  a few happy tears after finishing a hard race. 

post 2013 NWM DC half marathon
That probably won't happen this year. Goals change sometimes. 

Since both of the half marathons I've run in the past couple of months have hovered around 1:42 that's probably how this weekend will go. I think I'm okay with that. 

In February I had printed out a 3 month training plan which included 2 rest days, a couple Crossfit/crosstraining days, and a few runs including a long run. After following it for the month of February I got derailed in March. I started switching things around and then just fell into a pattern of not following a plan. Life gets busy and following it wasn't a priority. 

 I haven't been doing the speedwork I need to in order to get a faster half marathon time.  A month ago I was pretty upset that I had let myself pretty much not train at all when I realized the Nike race was so soon. 

I think it's easy to beat yourself up for not sticking to your set plan. While I'm all for following training plans to meet goals, sometimes you need to just go with the flow and do what works for you.  After running my first full marathon in October and spending 4 months prior training for it, it was refreshing to not follow a plan, even if a bit unintentionally.  I think I just needed a break.  I haven't even done a long run in a few weeks. I've spent all spring running races for fun. 

Of course I want to be competitive, but looking back there has been a lot more smiles this spring. I'm just showing up at the start line and truly enjoying each race overall-minus some parts of the Philly Love Run when it was downpouring, although I did manage to finish with a smile so there

So you'll see me on Sunday morning in DC, at the start line in my awesome light blue Bakery on Main shirt with a Nuun tattoo on my arm. Maybe it will even feel last like year, but my goal probably won't be a PR anymore. It will be to have a good time. I don't really know how the race will go.  After seeing the Boston Marathon on Monday I am truly inspired. Standing at mile 25 there were people yelling how they loved Boston, giving high fives to spectators, and truly just enjoying the race.  I'm just going to show up to DC on Sunday morning with a smile on my face and enjoy the run.  


At least I know there will be a little blue box waiting for me at the finish line. 

13 comments:

  1. I hope you have a great time at the race! I'm volunteering at the post race water stop so maybe I'll see you there :)

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    1. Thanks-that's awesome you are volunteering! I'll be in a light blue Truebar shirt!

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  2. i'm jealous you get to run that race - have a blast, good luck!

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  3. I'm kind of bummed I didn't take the lock off the wallet and sign up for that race because it's something I've wanted to do for awhile. I think you'll surprise yourself this weekend- the weather couldn't be more perfect and if you focus on really enjoying it, then you really can't go wrong. You might not be on a "normal" training schedule, but you've done so many other things (like November Project) that are making you stronger in other ways. Good luck this weekend :)

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    1. Thanks that means a lot! I am excited for nice running weather (finally!) and good times.

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  4. Damn, girl! You are speedy! I was just toying with and mulling over the idea of running a half marathon for the first time this week and was thinking finishing in 2:20 would be my goal lol. I'm slow..I run 10min/miles usually. You're gonna do great this weekend! Just enjoy the race and have tons of sunshiny fun!

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  5. Have a great race this weekend!!
    I contemplated signing up for this in the fall, but obviously didn't. The Nike races are on my bucket list though!

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  6. Good luck!! What a great outlook to just have fun, enjoy the run, and be happy with whatever the time is at the end. And a little Tiffany's never hurt nobody.

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  7. Have a GREAT race, whatever it turns out to be! Nike DC is home to my monster PR last year (2:01, just over a 7-minute PR), and while the memories hurt, too... I'm okay with NOT doing it this year. And not being in racing shape. But I have a half on Sunday I'll enjoy anyway! :)

    Good luck!

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  8. Good luck running the half!! I ran it last year but decided not to enter the lottery this year (plus I needed a break of running on running..)

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  9. Good luck for the half marathon! I ran one in Budapest, it is demanding, but a great feeling when you cross the finish line!

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