I have twenty-three days until my next race. The last race I participated in was a 50 mile race in April of 2012. The way my mind gets ready for a race is entertaining at times, however, sometimes it can be stressful too. I love the countdown to a race. This particular day that stands out in the future possess so much meaning it is ridiculous. In the back of my mind, in preparation for every race, I wonder whether I can even complete the commitment that I have made. Thats what these races boil down to, they are commitments amongst yourself. I did not sign up for my next race for my brothers sake, or for my wife, I simply did it because I felt a calling to finish this feat. This happens to be a race I have never ran in before, the Syllamore 50k. I had ran on parts of this course last year when I was participating in my first three day stage race, three days of Syllamo, but I have never ran this particular race alone.
The feeling before doing something unusual and different is very perplexing to my mind. I stand entertained, nervous, challenged and feeling as though I either can or can not complete something, which stands out to be exhilarating for me. I believe that all runners can attest to this feeling before an events approaching day.
There is something that can feel spiritual if you allow it to. A race can also feel you within a burdensome emotion if you do not watch out. The training and mental preparations that lead up to race day are practically what will deliver you to the finish of a race, especially in the marathon and ultra distances. It is possible to run 26.2 miles without training, as I have done it before, but I must say, my pride was wounded for years afterwards. I found my way back into races years after that experience knowing that training is key to keeping not only the physical body happy, but the mental game strong. Which leads to another important concept.
Races are the ultimate learning tool. I have read numerous how to books, what to do in a race, how to overcome this and that, but trust me, the best way to put it into perspective is to experience the body in that actual environment. I learned so much from my first 50 mile race. As I look back now I know that I was over-hydrated, did not have enough sodium, didn't eat enough, did not practice eating and running enough prior to the race. LEts just say, 30 miles into a 50 mile race, if your stomach and yourself do not see eye to eye, the next 20 miles can be a grueling matter.
These twenty-three days seem long and futile as if race day will not come, but it will. You must remind yourself to be prepared both physically, mentally, and (if your into this kind of aspect) spiritually. Without balance in ones life, it is hard to stay calm before the storm. I have learned from others in the past that before a race day, even if life is a whirlwind and fast paced, when it comes to contemplations and formulating a game plan for an upcoming races, you must be willing and ready calm your nerves, set a goal, and run as if you trained enough.
Cheers and have fun out there!
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