Saturday, June 23, 2012

Pre-race nerves

This time next week, I will have finished the Lewa half-marathon...and be home in bed.

After my long run last weekend, my runny buddy and I felt strong and ready (ish) for Lewa. Then it was announced in assembly at the 'w' place that we were running the race and the nerves set in. Everyone seems to be chipping in with their race techniques, talking of the last few km of Lewa having the toughest hills, the heat and the dreaded altitude (Lewa is 5, 500 ft above sea level).

Runner's World Magazine has named this tough run as 'One of the top ten races to run in your life'. Two helicopters will be guarding us runners as we run through the conservancy that is home to lions, hyenas, leopards, cheetahs and wild dogs. Pretty cool huh? Maybe  it will help me keep my pace up, like when I ran for my life at Lake Mburu in Uganda!

I am SO nervous!

Not just about the run, but the logistics of it all. I have not had any confirmation from Lewa that my replacement or a team member has been accepted, it is a Saturday run, so we are making a mad dash up on the Friday, and after the 5 or so hours drive, set up tent, light a camp fire and cook some pasta before dark. Not the most restful pre-race evening, but I have heard it is beautiful, so hopefully it will be worth that little bit of effort!

Tomorrow is going to be my last run. I plan on doing 18km and then just do some yoga during the week. I worry that I have not done enough short and fast runs, or hill training for the race-but I am going for fun and the experience...so I keep telling my self!

8 comments:

  1. Goodest of all good lucks! You've worked really hard, so don't be nervous. Just go out there and do what you've gotta do and then go home and have a reeeeeeally long rest.

    You can dream up imaginary worlds for the far away tree whilst on the road... x

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  2. That sounds like an amazing run!! Good luck!

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  3. Good luck! I just finished reading about the Lewa marathon in Running with the Kenyans. It sounds like an amazing experience. Relax and enjoy it as best you can!

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  4. Maxabella-that is such a GREAT idea! Will stay away from Candy lands and such like!x

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  5. Lions, that would certainly keep my pace too! :-) How adventurous. I like more and more your Africa.

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  6. Good luck! I'm sure you'll do great!

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  7. Good luck!
    I just found your blog and I love it. I feel like I can relate--I lived in Kenya this past summer. I miss it like crazy. I love all of your stories!!!
    We should chat about it.
    xoxo,
    Sierra
    Oh, Just Living the Dream

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  8. Thanks Melissa and Sierra.

    Nice you found me Sierra. Will you be coming back to work?

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