One Last Little Run Before The Big Run

I must say that I’m having a great time in my state of unpreparedness as I approach The 50K Harding Hustle.  I got out early this morning for one last little run before the big event.  Best thing about today’s run (besides the empty trails and awesome views) is that I got to run with another long time trail running friend.  I haven’t run with Sheila in years, and we ran today as if not a day had passed.  It’s like we had just run together yesterday.   And I was back home by 8AM – plenty of time to contemplate this Saturday’s Harding Hustle. 

My goal for this weekend at The Harding Hustle is to run the 31+ miles as a training run.  This is precisely why I registered for the race.  I wanted to go long (30+) in a safe environment – such as one with aid stations and other people.  Here’s my dilemma:  Medal Lust.  If it seems that I’m not going to make the 50k within the time requirements, I know that the smell of that finisher’s medal will tempt me to drop to the lower “mileage” race, the 30k.  I can do the 30k, no problem – it’s one of my training runs.  I have run it many times by myself.  The 50k is a whole other story.  Chances are slim that I can make it within the time requirements. 

Here’s what I want to do come Saturday: Forgo the finisher’s medal and run as much of the 50k as I can.  In other words, swallow the DNF (if that’s inevitable). DO NOT drop down to the 30k; give up the medal.  This my friends will be VERY difficult for me to accomplish.  I must remind myself when I come to the 30k turnaround, that I am in no way in this hustle for the medal.  I am in this adventure for the training. 

For the training. 

Training.

Training.

Training.