Conquering FEAR- head games

Not sure why, but sometimes I am just a wuss. I really should race more often, but I don't. I have lots of excuses good reasons!
money
time
family obligations
wanting to be prepared
the need for a perfect course (preferably flat and certified)
If I am going to race and it's going on my record, it better leave a good mark.

Today I stepped out of my comfort zone and raced. It wasn't totally on a whim; it had been in the back of my mind for a few weeks...
if I was healed
if the money was there
if the hubby was OK with it
if I felt like it on race morning

In the car on the way there, I thought to myself
"What am I DOING?"
"Why am I racing? Is this NUTS? I am asking for injury."
And, "I might feel bad about my race afterwards and beat myself up."

But then I thought,
"What do I have to lose?"
"Maybe no one will show up."
"I can always register under a pseudonym..."
And another idea came "Maybe it won't be embarassing"Then finally, "Maybe I will do better than I expect."

It feels good to race. It feels GOOD to do your best, even if it is not your best ever. It is FUN to be with other runners, doing what they love, with support. It feels incredible to use a gift God gave me.

I am ready for more. Let the season begin!

Should you wear a RACING SHOE in that marathon?

Have you ever wondered if you should wear a racing shoe for your marathon? I have read a lot of blogs lately regarding what shoes to wear in a race. Experience is helpful, but if you are inexperienced, how do you know what to wear? A while back I started looking into the subject and found some excellent advice in Pete Pfitzinger's Advanced Marathoning.

Every ounce counts in footwear. Most competitive marathoners should lean towards the light end of the shoe spectrum. But does that mean that you should wear a "racing shoe"? 

Elites wear "flats"- true racing shoes- that have minimal support and much less heel lift than training shoes. But they are whippet thin and have excellent biomechanics. The lack of support increases the risk of injury, making certain muscles work harder. And the lower heel puts added strain on the calf and Achilles muscles.

Another option to consider is the "performance trainer". These shoes are lighter than many of the high-mileage trainers, making you feel lighter as you go. What they DO have is support that is missing from a racing flat- and enough in the heel/midsole to protect you during a LONG race, as you begin to fatigue.

Go into a retailer and compare a racing shoe with a performance trainer and you will see what I mean. For instance, recently I compared two Adidas shoes. One was a racing shoe and one was a performance trainer. The difference was about 2 ounces, cushion vs. virtually NO cushion, some heel lift, and a pro-moderator device designed to add stability.

Following are some guidelines (listed in Advanced Marathoning) regarding top candidates for flats in the marathon:

Male:
Faster than 2:40
Weighs less than 160# (73kg)
History of being relatively injury free
Good Biomechanics

Female:
Faster than 2:55
Weighs less than 140# (63kg)
History of being relatively injury free
Good Biomechanics

Lastly, it is always good to introduce a racing shoe or new style of shoe incrementally to your workout schedule. Start by using them in some tempo runs a several weeks out from your marathon to make sure they will work for you.

Weigh it out. Consider the choices and the potential outcomes. Make a good decision and have a GREAT RACE, whatever you run in!

End of Year / December stats (comments closed)

December Stats

Total miles:  242.9 , up from 191.4
Total hours: 33:15:07, up from 26:45:38

26/31 days of running
Easy days: 17..wooo that's easy!
Tempos: 2... Only 2?
Intervals: 2
Fartleks: 1
Long runs: 4 over 14 miles
Rest days: 5
Races: 0

2010 stats
Total miles: 2,589.1
Total hours: 360:20:40

Dec 2010 242.9 Mi 33:15:07 8:13 average pace

Nov 2010 191.4 Mi 26:45:38 8:24

Oct 2010 262.6 Mi 37:06:50 8:29 peak for year - this was a very enjoyable month!

Sep 2010 240.6 Mi 34:40:53 8:39

Aug 2010 225.1 Mi *21:55:46 no watch for part of month ballpark guess on hours

Jul 2010 235.5 Mi *30:25:11 no watch for part of month ballpark guess on hours

Jun 2010 222.6 Mi 32:24:30 8:45

May 2010 206.9 Mi 30:23:10 8:49 marathon & recovery month

Apr 2010 186.4 Mi 27:03:50 8:43

Mar 2010 236.1 Mi 35:06:11 8:56

Feb 2010 181.3 Mi 27:57:34 9:16

Jan 2010 157.7 Mi 23:16:00 8:52

Races:

1. 10K 47:xx PR (beat McMillan)
2. marathon 3:37:xx PR new distance (beat McMillan)
3. half marathon 1:37:xx PR (beat Mcmillan)
4. mile: 6:09 (calf strain, 99F) not great (McMillan won)
5. 10K 44:xx new PR (McMillan won)
6. 5K 20:2x PR (beat McMillan)
7. half marathon 1:31:xx PR  (beat McMillan)

I may not have been a very successful mom or wife, but I had a heck of a running year.