Packing!

So it’s time to pack everything up. I’m trying my hardest to pack light and I’ve succeeded (I think).  Here’s a little peek into the packing madness. 

These 10oz bottles were a gift from one of the awesome runners I coach. I was so touched that she got them for me. I had been wanting to get them for the race because I usually just carry mini 8oz bottles without holsters and thought they would be comfier to hold and more colourful to bring along. Love em’! 

My mum reminded me of some champagne I got on my birthday last year from a wonderful lady who also happens to be my mum’s good friend. I don’t drink because alcohol tastes gross, but anything bubbly is good in my books. I’m just not really a party girl. Scratch that. I’m NOT a party girl at all but if things go well and I make it out in one piece with a smile I will be celebrating with some of this. Even if it’s just a sip ;)

All of the good luck wishes I received tonight really made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I’m lucky I didn’t cry! I’m also so lucky to once again be running with an awesome group of people. The enthusiasm is infectious. I love it. 

So since it’s the summer I needed a lighter pack. So I managed to order a nathan vest off amazon that would allow me to carry my phone, camera and a small MP3 player. My handheld bottles will allow me to stash some nutrition and there’s an open pocket in the back of my vest that will allow me to stick a sportshield packet, some tissues, more nutrition and an extra bottle or two. But most importantly my pack has my lucky charm. Does anyone know what that is? ;) I’ve also got a second lucky charm in a pocket - a keychain I got in Arizona which was my first solo vacation and something I’m very proud of because I overcame a huge amount of anxiety to just go for it. 

As I was packing I decided to sit down and look at my box of notes that I collected for my first ultra back in September. It’s weird, this time I don’t feel the need to have those notes with me. I feel just as scared but just a tad more confident. I’m always scared of getting lost, but I’m attempting and succeeding a bit more to keep those fears under control. I opened the box and looked at the notes piled on top of each other. The notes that travelled 53km in one day. The notes that got dirty with mud, sweat, and yes, even tears. And I decided it wasn’t time to read them again. So I closed the box and set them aside for Sunday when I return. 

Mental prep

Following the Western States 100 coverage yesterday and early this morning really helped to get me excited for this weekend’s upcoming goal race. I’m still nervous though.

I’m really scared about the temperatures. I feel like I was aware of the fact that the temps would be a challenge for me. I knew when I signed up for a race in the summer that I would be running in the heat. Still, I’m thinking it’s only sinking in now. 

I of course, in this state of freaking out, went ahead and looked at weather records for this past September when I ran the Vermont 50km. I was NOT mentally prepared for the weather that day. I remember stepping out of the hotel on our way to the race start and I felt my heart sink. I could have taken a bite out of the air that’s how thick and humid it was. I remember seeing a high humidity percentage when I checked my phone. But today I went online to check. And I was indeed correct all this time, my memory served me right: 97% humidity. As the day pushed on the sun came out and the temps rose. The elevation was 6x worse than the race I’m coming up to this weekend.

In telling myself all of that I hope I can relax a little bit. Despite a few hiccups in training due to getting sick, getting a migraine, etc. I feel better with my training than I did for VT. The course is flatter, and I’m looking forward to the single track. It may be hot, but I dealt with my worst enemy in VT: high humidity. So unless it gets to a point where it’s the same humidity or worse (I doubt it), I think I’ll be okay. 

I had a great run this morning. Just a short 10km ish run. It was hot but I felt good. Afterward though I did not feel so great. I should have put electrolyte tabs in my water. Lesson learned, won’t forget that for race day. 

Starting now to think about prepping, packing, planning. Stay tuned for some posts on that. 

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