It has been nearly a month since I made the judgment that my Spartan training was sub-optimal. The decision to bail on my planned race soon followed, although I continued my efforts to get stronger and further develop my grip-strength. I added box jumps to my training with an emphasis on overcoming my fear of whacking my shin on the box’s edge. In the process, I faced my fear and made myself keep up the effort. Why I didn’t resume my running efforts, I cannot say? I simply didn’t make time for it.
Yet, for reasons I cannot explain, I did not process my deferral and continued to search the web regularly for hotels at a reasonable distance from the start – just in case. So, when Jen and George, two of my biggest Spartan inspirations, reached out to me about the upcoming race, it didn’t take much for them to talk me back into going for it. You could even say that I was secretly hoping for it.
Of course, I now NEED to do some serious just-in-time run training. I pulled up my old training logs from my distance running days and plotted out a plan on the calendar. Within 2 days of opting back in I’ve run 7+ miles. It’s going to be a push. It’s definitely going to hurt…but I think know that I can do it! Right?
Oh gosh! If you’re pondering bailing and you’re actually doing training for it, what should I be pondering?……I just plan to go for it and just work with what I have for the day. We won’t die, Robert, your sons, Carlos won’t let us do that and for me, it may not be pretty but what the heck. If I waited until “I am ready” or until “I really have the time to get ready” I wouldn’t do anything at this point in my life. The parenting part of me can’t focus on prepping (which is “play” for me). I may look like a dork with Robert, Carlos, Alissa Pushing my butt over walls and screaming at me to get up a dang rope but whatever the deal is, “it will be fun!” I can make myself do a billion burpees if that is the consequence of not doing whatever it is they expect us to do. (Well that is my plan)…..ugh! Should I be bailing?
Dearest Linda: We are discussing two different races. The one I was considering bailing on — but am now doing — is a 12+ mile “Beast” that is on October 20th at Tejon Ranch in Southern California. The one the family (including you) are doing is an approximately 3 mile “Stadium Sprint” in December at AT&T Park where the Giants play. These races are vastly different from each other. You will want to do some prep between now and then. The whole point of encouraging the family to do this is health. So make some time, however small. Incorporate 5 burpees at the beginning, end, and if you stop to rest midway through your runs with you FOMO team. Do some pushups, planks, or sideplanks during another downtime (e.g. while the dog eats). Stop at a playground mid-dog walk and hang from the bars for 30 seconds x 2 (pulling your tummy to spine).
RIGHT!!!!! You’re going to have an amazing experience Juls. Xo
Whoops! I read Spartan and thought it was the event we (family) are signed up to do. (That is what I get for scimming). It will be fun and your event sounds fun too. Keep doing what you do!
Love,
Linda