To be or not to be…
This is a pretty old and rhetorical question. How long ago was it asked? Seems like just yesterday I was asking myself – to run or not to run. And now I’ve come upon yet another one – to write or not to write…what to write about…how to express it…who to write for…
This taper is a freaky thing…the mind is racing since the body is steady. I am having pre-race jitters. I keep looking at the Zane profile and time chart and thinking: where in the world was my brain when I sent in the application? Why did I have to pick this course? Wouldn’t it be nicer to run, say, Mt. Si 50, be done in 13 hrs, and that would have included travel time (almost)? Wouldn’t it have been better not to sign up for anything at all? Like my husband says – who tells you that you can’t run? Get out there and enjoy! Do you really have to subject yourself to all kinds of weird pains and generally unpleasant situations? Away from family? And paying for it? But since you’re reading it right now, you know the answers – you probably reasoned all this for yourself. What doesn’t make me any less nervous. And in itself being nervous is not a bad thing. I am ready. I am going to run Zane Grey.
A Mountain Soul
17 comments:
You know the drill - you don't need advice from any of us. You're ready. Have a great run, girl.
a) write for yourself
b) you are ready!
c) you will enjoy it! (no, that's not an order :) )
d) I might get to help sweep! (okay, so that's not in response to your post, but it's exciting for me :) )
Zane Grey's not really that tough. It actually has a lot of nice, runnable sections, and is all enjoyable single-track. The only reason I had a hard time last year was due to poor fueling in the longest steepest stretch. Before that, and after I refueled at the next aid station, the course was a little slow, but overall, great!
PS Angie's bouncing up and down begging me to include that she is the reason I refueled instead of dropping at the last aid station :)
Go, Olga, go! I love it that you still get nervous, even with all your experience. You are gonna have fun and you get to meet Angie and Johnny! Cool!
No doubt your nervousness will disappear when you get underway. This sounds like such an exciting race - and you are going to rock it!
What I usually think about in relation to you and races is that the tougher it is the better for you. While all the weaker ones are dropping off you will be moving ahead.
P.S. Just for clarity in case others read this and think what a snob, I would be one of the weaker ones that I am speaking of. And if you know Olga you will know why I say the tougher the better.
Tapering is hard. Your body is in a state of excitation and ready to go but your mind says wait wait dammit i said "wait"!. You're right - you are ready.
If I had a husband who said I couldn't run I'd show him.
Tapering IS boring, we all know that. But as always, you'll be happy once you hit the trail.
You know we are with you every step of the way!
Went to Zane Grey site and was exciting to find your name there, That is some georgeous place to race, go on Olga!
I just read the race description, the best I found: "the rewards are magnificent views, cool canyons and fulfillment of your masochistic needs".
Forget about being bored!!
Wow, what a course profile, over 10,000ft of climbing! And only 4 more days to go... Hang in there and have a great race! Here's a little prayer for nice weather and happy running ;-)
Olga,
I stumbled across your blog somehow and have been enjoying your last week or so of blog entries. I see on your list of races that one is Mountain Masochist in Virginia.
I have just sent my race application in for this race (my first 50 mile race) and would like to talk to you about ultras. My email is kimba90@yahoo.com
Olga, it's b/c of the tapering you've got all this extra energy that's giving you the jitters. You'll do fine, besides you get to meet Angie too!
Have a great time at ZG!
You are so ready!
Go girl go!
and if the race is too far away for your liking..take a nap!
R2B
Very nice site! »
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