I’ve been trying to be patient with my chest cold, waiting for it to break up enough that I felt safe to run. After four days of no exercise and diligently taking Mucinex, I headed out with a friend this morning. It was glorious! The day was glorious, not me. It was sunny and crisp. The path had been nicely plowed so that I had actual pavement under my feet sporadically. Even the snow and icy parts were crunchy enough that I didn’t have to worry about slipping without my shoe grips.
Even missing a couple days of running erodes my confidence. Can I still make it? Did I lose all my fitness? I ran 7.5 miles today and instantly my confidence and enthusiasm are back. It’s amazing what a little sunshine, a friend to be with, and a nice run can do for a mood. I was happy, happy, happy the rest of the day.
All of this enthusiasm made me think that I needed to find a new race to do in April. I did the Ron Daws 25K in April last year. It was a great race but very hilly and tough for me. I was marathon training then and needed the miles. I don’t want to ramp up to 15+ miles quite yet. I have The Minneapolis Half Marathon in June and nothing longer than that until The NYC Marathon in the fall. I found a 10 mile race that sounds like fun. It’s the Fred Kurz Memorial 10-Mile. It is interesting because you give your estimated finish time, then the slower runners start first. The idea is that everyone finishes at the same time. The race fee is only $8, so it’s also a bargain!
So now I have something on my schedule as motivation for my training. If you live here in MN, check this race out and think about joining me. It may be the only time that I get to line up at the start in front of all of my friends. I’ll get to see what it’s like at the front of the pack, for a few minutes anyway!
{ 15 comments }
Only $8 for a registration fee – that’s awesome! Sounds like a fun race. Glad you were able to get out for a good run. That sun felt great today!
I’m so glad your confidence came back so quickly! It’s nice to have something on the schedule to motivate, the race sounds fun!
Looks like a good race to check out, if there is no soccer, gymnastics, basketball, skating…
The Kurz 10 has been around for 30-40 years, but I’ve never done it. As I recall, because of the handicapping, you have to enter early to get in. Best of luck!
Seems like there is a lot of bad colds going around here in Minnesota. Seems everyone I know is sick. Glad to hear you are getting better. And it is funny what a little rest can do for one’s running. I experienced some similar joy with a really good run following my recovery from my cold!
Keep up the great work, Beth. And the new blog looks really awesome.
That sounds liek a fun race. I like the idea. They have a race in Madison, WI like that but instead of estimating your time, they use an age graded starting times so the first one across the finish line is the winner even if they started 5 or 10 minutes before the next runner.
Don’t you just love those runner endorphins.
Sounds like a good race with a different take on things. You just know there are some liers out there though. Some speed demon is going to claim they run 11 minute miles just so they get to start at the front.
I want to enter one of those races where you estimate your finish time, then the person closest to their estimate wins. Anyone could win one of those!
A lot of colds are going around, it’s that time of the year. You can take a few days off befor you really start losing fitness. I have taken 3 days off in a row, I have pushedy body really hard so my body is still in recover mode.
Eight dollars? A bargain!
Sorry that you are under the weather. Hydrate and vitamin C!
I’m signed up for Trail Mix and Get in Gear 10k in April. I think Nat is doing these too. More expensive, but more alternatives.
Hope to have you running at the Fieldhouse with us soon!
Nothing like a wonderful run on a beautiful day to make you feel better. I hear ya…a couple of days of not running and I feel like I need to start from scratch. Sounds like a fun race..go for it!
I always lose my confidence if I don’t run for awhile. I amsure that a beautiful day this time of year in MN is all relative — sunny and not frigid (we have had few of those in NY this winter.)
That is awesome that you are running NY marathon this fall.
Doesn’t a good run make everything better! The race sounds like fun!!
That would be an interesting experience to finish at the same time as everyone else in the race–a crush of humanity to speed you across the finish line! Glad the 7.5 miles had such a positive impact–those endorphins are amazing.
Hi Beth,
Isn’t it amazing what a little sunshine will do?? It puts a smile on our face and a little pep to our step:) Eight bucks for a ten mile race…wow!! I wish that I could run in New York with you:) I hope that you have an excellent week Beth!!
That 10 mile race sounds fun. I’d like to start at the front for once!
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