A ball of anxiety

Cactusflower

Pied Piper of Ponies
MLPTP Supporter
Joined
Jan 20, 2018
Messages
880
Hey Pony Peeps,
I'm kinda freakin' out, just a bit, not, not a bit, a lot. My big race is tomorrow. Some of you know I'm running my first 50km ultra marathon in the local mountains tomorrow. I've had mixed feelings about it, knowing I won't be fast, but also knowing, I should be able to make the cutoff time.

Here's the situation: the cutoff time is 7 hours at the 37km mark. I'm running at a pace that should get me there with a good 30 minutes to spare. The problem is that it is going to rain heavily ALL day tomorrow. I'm not a strong uphiller, so I'm relying on my downhill to make up time. In the rain, I will have to slow down or risk serious injury. I hope I won't have to slow too much, but I'm worried about making the cutoff. If I'm not there within 7 hours, they won't let me finish the race. I'm going to just do my best, but I'm terrified about receiving a DNF (did not finish). I don't care if I come in last, I just want to finish. I have the added pressure that the Search and Rescue team who will be sweeping the course at the end are my former teammates who were terrible to me last year. I can't let them see me fail. I'm also super aware that I will likely be the biggest girl out there (ultra runners are tiny and I am not). I'm super sensitive about always being the largest woman in all the sports I do.

Why the rain? Why tomorrow? It's beautiful out today. Wish me luck, I'm going to need it.
 
Sending you all the luck you need!! I will be cheering you on from home with my cast on my leg. Lol

I think your going into this race with a winning attitude and you will reach your goal. Plus I’m sure someone special will be cheering you on as well. ;)
 
Just go out there and give it your best! Be smart, so you don't hurt yourself but get out there and do your thing. Don't let your fears, doubts and thoughts about your size get into your headspace, focus on your pace and just go. If you DNF the sun will still come up tomorrow and the world will keep spinning but if you think you can do it, I believe you can too! Don't let that rain discourage you, think of it as an extra motivator, not only are you going to finish this but you're going to finish it in the rain! Cause you kick butt! Good luck, I wish you all the best.
 
Yes! Thinking of you on this rainy day and hoping you are hanging in there. Can't wait to hear how it went, regardless you still impress me. I can't imagine trying something like that, you're brave to even attempt it in my opinion!
 
Hope you had great luck today! It's an impressive feat, and impressive even to attempt... so no matter what happens, congratulations on running that marathon!

Try not to even think about those other S&R people; their opinion doesn't matter. You are amazing, and incredible for doing this run! I wish you the best of luck in running your race! :D
 
Hi Ponies,
Just wanted to come on and give you guys the update. Thank you all for your support and encouragement.

I DID IT!!!

It rained like mad all day and the wind was bad on the open sections. I started falling behind the main pack on the uphill, which I expected, but on the downhill of the mountain, I rocked it. I’m very fast at steep, technical downhill and literally leapt past about 30 other runners. The best part of the race for me was actually the other runners complimenting me on my awesome downhill skills. At the 23k mark I was at four hours and feeling good about making the cutoff, but when we started climbing the second mountain I had to walk the uphill, which never seemed to end. The cutoff station was at the bottom of this mountain and when I saw the aid station and heard the cheering I nearly burst into tears (I’m not an emotional person) I came in saying “I made it, I made it!). I grabbed a bite of a grilled cheese and took off to finish the last 13 km.

I ran the whole downhill and finished strong at 8 hours 59 min and there were still plenty of people behind me. I was so happy and proud and wet.
822E3736-7AD3-49D5-9D1B-7B90E1EFBAA6.jpeg
 

Attachments

  • E33D7058-EF7C-45D4-9365-2EC048DB2CBE.jpeg
    E33D7058-EF7C-45D4-9365-2EC048DB2CBE.jpeg
    187 KB · Views: 68
Last edited:
Great job
 
Back
Top