Fifth Third River Bank Run: 25K

Workout today: An easy 60 minutes on the Elliptical (covered abour 5.5 miles). Yup, you read right. NO running. See-- I'm learning! I might do 8-minute Abs and/or arms... we'll see. But-- NO RUNNING today. My legs are screaming at me to rest, so I'm listening for once.

Oh! And, I just realized I haven’t even mentioned this teeeeeny, tiny race I have coming up…

(source)

Maybe I forgot to mention it because I kinda, sorta forgot it was so close? DOH!

So, in less than 2 weeks I’ll be running the largest 25K road race in the country in Grand Rapids, MI. It was kinda a spur of the moment decision to register for this race a few weeks ago. One of my good friends lives in GR and her husband (who is a good friend of mine and the Hubs) is running it. This girl also happens to be running it and I loooove running with her, so I was easily sold on the idea. A quick calendar check with the Hubs and $40 (cheap!!) later and I was signed up and had the Hubs on board to come cheer me along. And, now I’ve somehow convinced my father in law to run the 10K at the same event! Ok, ok—so, it was HIM who asked ME if I was gonna run it… but, I’ll claim credit for getting us both at the same race at the same time… even if we’re not actually running the same event. We’ll get there someday. Not only is he gonna run the 10K, but my mother-in-law is coming up to cheer us along, too! Best. In-Laws. Evvvvver.

So, I haven’t exactly been “training” for this, per say. I’ve been keeping my long runs at 15-miles-ish, so I feel like I’m ready. I did a 16-miler a week ago and a 13-miler on Sunday, so I know physically I can do it. I haven’t really deciced HOW I’m going to run it yet either. They have pacers for 9:00, 9:30, and 10:00. Most races only have on-the-minute pacers, so the 9:30 feels a little like a sign that I should push to stick with that at the start and then bump it up if I can. We’ll see. Decisions, decisions. A lot will depend how I’m feeling that day. I don’t do races to RACE. I do races for FUN, so there’s not a lot of pressure or stress involved in this decision. Whatever will be, will be. I would like to try to do my best, but I won’t be upset if I don’t average a 9:30 pace. At least… I hope I won’t. I’m still really freaking new to this whole running/racing thing, so I’m not entirely sure what kinda racer I am. We’ll see next Saturday, I suppose!

I have decided to spend the next 2 weeks “tapering”... kinda. I “only” did a 13-mile long run this weekend (the Hubs gets REAL mad when I say “only” before any distance) and plan to do a 8-mile LR this weekend and to cut back on mileage slowly til the 12^th.

Oh yeah, and then 3 weeks later I have the only half marathon I’m signed up for this summer (as of now). THEN, I really and officially start “training” for Chicago. With a typed up training plan and everything! Because all this stuff I’ve been doing so far… NOT training, just running. Hmmm… running really is weird sometimes.   

Anyway-- I’m SUPER excited about the Fifth Third River Bank Run next Saturday because so many people I love are running it too! It’s going to be a great, fun, sweaty time!! Running and friends and family all at the same time?? Best. Race. Ever.