CDR

After gearing most of my summer training towards the 40th annual edition of the Charleston Distance Run, as of a couple weeks ago it appeared everything was going to fall through and I wasn’t going to be able to race, not due to any training/running related issues, but due to logistical problems totally out of my control. However, I found out yesterday that I would indeed be able to make the trip if I so desired, so I went ahead and pulled the trigger on it and will toe the line Saturday morning. This race has always been on my bucket list of races to run and I really wish I could have taken a shot at it when I was in my prime, but for various reasons, things just never worked out for me to do it. Since that appeared it would be the case yet again, when the opportunity presented itself I decided to take advantage of it and see what happens.

Obviously the last three weeks has been anything but an optimal lead-in. I had to basically shut things down for a few days just two weeks ago due to what felt like cumulative fatigue and/or overtraining, and after a good week last week, this week I feel like I’ve been back to battling that same problem once again. It’s definitely something I need to figure out and get on top of soon, but that said, all I can do starting with last night’s run is take it as easy as possible over the next few days with the hopes of getting my legs to a point where they at least feel decent Saturday morning.

So, right now I have mixed emotions as I head into this event, the first really big race I’ve done in a long, long time. I’m excited to be a part of it, as this event has a long, storied history. Some of the best runners in the U.S. have battled it out over this unique distance and challenging course. At the same time, I’m a little nervous and a bit disappointed because I know that I’m not really prepared for the sort of performance I had hoped to have at one point. Hard training always has its peaks and valleys, and I seem to be in a valley at the moment. Furthermore, since I thought I wasn’t going to be able to race, my training over the past few days hasn’t been what it would have been otherwise. Certainly I wouldn’t have run 17 miles with 2X20 min at marathon pace on Sunday as one example. However, too many times in the past I’ve bailed on races because everything wasn’t perfect, then regretted not at least taking a shot. I’ll admit that even this time I was a little relieved when I thought I couldn’t go because it took the pressure of trying to perform off me. I’ve been determined for a long time to shed that burden, and maybe this will be a step in that process.

Anyway, it’s almost go time and for the most part I’m pretty excited. The weather is looking like it could be a bit tough, especially from a humidity standpoint, so between that and my less than optimal lead-in, I plan on running a conservative race. I may not run as fast as I’d run if I took more risk, but I’m not willing to jeopardize the rest of my fall for a race I know I’m simply not 100% prepared for. At the very least I’ll get some good experience racing the course that hopefully I can use to my advantage when I come back another year in better shape! It will also be a good workout and a kick-off to the fall season where I have some big goals and plans taking shape. More on that to come, but in the meantime, wish me luck in the hills of Charleston!