Happy Friday! Has this week felt long to anyone else? I always think that March drags because there are no holidays or school breaks. Lately, its seemed even worse because the winter continues to linger. At least most years by the time March comes around the weather is getting warmer and giving us a taste of spring. This year its been more like a tease. We’re supposed to get more snow Sunday night. I’m not even surprised at this point.
Anyway, to help with getting through the last couple weeks of peak marathon training and the monotony of March, I decided at the last minute to run in the DC Rock n Roll Half Marathon as part of my long run on Saturday! I am NEVER spontaneous with races, so this is very unlike me. I saw on twitter that Megan who used to blog at “MegaNerdRuns” had a bib available. After a couple days of E-mailing about it, I decided to taker her up on the offer! I really just decided for sure yesterday, so I ran my weekly runs as I usually would and I am not rested for the race. However, this is a good thing because my plan is not to race, but to run at a comfortable but challenging pace- marathon pace or a little faster. I also need to tack 5 miles on before or after the run to make it 18 for the day.
I am excited for the great running weather we are supposed to have, and it will be great to have a change of scenery. (Not to mention crowd support and running along side thousands of other runners!) I ran this race in 2012, although the course is different this year than it was then. I don’t think the elevation is much different, so it will still be a fair but challenging course.
This course is where I got my current PR, which I have held for 2 years now. I know I won’t be breaking that tomorrow, but it will be fun to be back where I had a great race.
Good luck to every else racing this weekend! Who else will be in DC for the race on Saturday?
Laura says
Yeah! Good luck tomorrow! I did marathons in place of a few long runs last year and found them really fun and motivational!
runningoutofwine says
Yep they are a great way to change things up:)
boozyrunner says
Hi! I just recently started following your blog. Good luck on your run!
I’ve been using 5Ks and 10Ks as tempo/training runs for my upcoming half marathon, and it’s definitely been helpful
runningoutofwine says
Thanks for following!
I also like using 5ks and 10ks in training- they really force me to push to a pace that I usually won’t run on my own!
Megan (The Lyons' Share) says
Have so much fun! Sometimes last minute race plans are the most fun 🙂
runningoutofwine says
Yes I think they are! I need to do last minute races more often!
txa1265 says
Wow – great grabbing a bib, and should be fun. I have never done anything like that … well, I guess I did sign up for a marathon 4 weeks before the race in the midst of training for another marathon last year, so I guess that might count! Enjoy!
runningoutofwine says
Wow I don’t know if I could run a marathon without time to prepare!- but I guess if you were already training for one it wouldn’t be quite as bad….:)
txa1265 says
Actually the most ‘fun’ was getting on a plane the next day. It was a very (very) hilly semi-trail course, and dealing with stairs the next day … it was a challenge!
runningoutofwine says
Ouch! Stairs are the worst after a tough race!
Chrissy @pinkpolishandrunningshoes says
Good luck! And you’re right. This week has been sooooo long, but it’s Friday. Yay! Sorry to hear you’re getting snow 🙁 We’re getting sick of the winter weather here in New England too.
missadventuresinrunning says
Have fun! That is exciting! Sometimes you just need a change and something to spice things up. A race will definitely be more fun that your standard long run! Boo to more snow!
runningoutofwine says
Thanks- it was much more fun that a long run!!