1st half and getting a bit freaked

[pattiw]

Hi all,
I think I was drinking heavily when I decided to sign up for my 1st half marathon in Ottawa this coming weekend.  But it is here and I am going to do it, I have been training (more or less the last 5 months) but am starting to get very nervous about the whole thing. 
Any suggestions on how to make it through the nerves of the first big event and any suggestions for Ottawa in particular?

Thanks
Patti

A special thanks to the girls at Tri Run for all thier help the last year or so.

[chattyfeet]

well, let me tell you how refreshing it is to know i'm not the only one who has had too much to drink and registered for a run!  I did the same thing about a month ago...registered for the half in Niagara after several glasses of wine!

Hmmm...well I don't know how I can help you with the nerves....that's tough.  But I can tell you LOTS about the half in Ottawa.  I've done four half marathons there and three fulls.  first off, the half marathon is HUGE.  The starting line is MASSIVE and can get very, very crowded.  If crowds bother you I suggest going way, way, way back!  Even if you plan on finishing in 2:30 for e.g., it is not a big deal for you to be back where the 3:00 pace bunny is...or even further back.  The crowd thins the farther back you go.  It will be a madhouse just trying to GET in the corral area... I remember on many occasions hopping over the barriers to get in because I didn't want to wade through the throngs of people (spectators) to get where I wanted to go.   The half marathon in Ottawa is a FANTASTIC run, in my opinion.  I find the crowds motivating, not intimidating...but that's my personality.   i love all the entertainment along the route and the spectators also.  It's  a beautiful run and you will find you will never be running alone...there will always be someone behind and in front of you...I like that!

Good luck...sounds like you've done lots of training and you should be fine!  I don't know the weather forecast...the only "bad" times I've had in Ottawa had to do with heat.  But what can you do about that...nothing! It's the one thing we cannot control.  Again, good luck, and have fun!

[Cathy]

We did the half in Ottawa a couple of years ago.  It was one of the most beautiful runs that I think I have had.  I found it very relaxed.  I love the group excitement at the start.  As at most starts you are a bit crowded but it thins out fast.  You definitely won't be alone on this run.  But that is nice.  I love the opportunity for conversation and meeting new people. 

Leave your nerves at home.  If you have done the homework (and by the sound of it, you have) than just go and enjoy the rewards you have worked for.  Have a great run and remember to keep good and hydrated for the couple of days before and carry your own water.   Better be safe than sorry later.

Enjoy.

[Sandy]

Hey PW,

Don't worry...be happy.  Literally.  You have trained well so trust it and go to have fun.  Your first shouldn't be about what time you crossed the finish line but about everything between the start and the finish.  Chat with others, enjoy the sights...the next one can be for time.  Although you can't help the weather of the day, dress for it, stay hydrated, on top of your nutrition and you'll do just fine.

Enjoy the process and congratulations on making it to the start line.

[chattyfeet]

Sandy, I like what you wrote.  I am always way more proud to be AT the starting line than I am at the finish.  I mean, if you've done the training and you've followed the program, finishing is kind of a given.   However, the 12, or 18, or 20 weeks of training you've done...NOW that's where the true dedication comes in.  Being at the starting lines means you're READY and ABLE to run 26.2 (or 13.1) miles.  Not many people can say that!!  I am always more emotional at the starting line than I am at the finish of my marathons. 

I have a friend who suffers from a terrrible case of nerves before a race...I mean upset stomach, the runs...Can a runner take Gravol for this??   Just something I've wondered about. 

[Sandy]

I'm not sure about the dehydrating properties of Gravol but it's sure to make you sleepy, probably not a good thing.  Better for this runner to engage in some mental training leading up to her event.  Problem solve all of the "what if's" so she's prepared for anything that may happen.

[chattyfeet]

I forgot that Gravol makes you sleepy.  I've never taken it in my life...I'm not much of a pill popper. 

[pattiw]

Thanks for the advice ladies.  It must have worked, I survived and did better time & muscle wise than I thought I would have.   

Patti

[Cathy]

Great work.  You knew you could do it.

[Sandy]

2:47:26..........excellent!

[Kate]

Congratulations, Patti, on completing your challenge!
I have been following your post because I, too, will be running my first half marathon in a few months and am also wondering what on earth I was thinking when I signed up for it.  Maybe you are going to run the County in October as well?
I totally appreciate your frame of mind and hopefully I will have equal success!

[pattiw]

Kate
I can't even believe that I am going to give advice on this topic but here goes...listen to the wise ones above.  Enjoy it!  I found myself repeating their words after the excitement of the first few km's wore off.  I ran my race based on my strategy & kept telling myself I had done the work and that I could do it.  The finish line was sweet even though 8080 people got there before me....it was a PB for me :)
The County 1/2 is a serious contender for my next goal but I would highly recommend Ottawa, it was well run, lots of support along the route and darn pretty scenery just when you need it most. 
Good luck

Patti

[Kate]

Thanks, Patti!  I will certainly keep that thought in mind and will most likely hear myself repeating it over the course.

Realizing I wanted to stay a runner for "life" (to quote a friend whose trying to get me to slow down), I signed up for the County 1/2 because I needed a goal that would get me into a more structured running regime before I caused my body some damage.  Seriously!  I am going from running 62K a week right now to running a total of 53K the week before the race over the next 18 weeks.  Obviously an eye opener that I (am) being WAY too hard on my body right now.

Never hesitate to give advice!  Once you have "been there, done that", you have experienced knowledge.

Thanks again!
Kate