Undecided

I went for a trail run Friday afternoon. My original plan was to go 12 miles. I started at 1:40pm. I took plenty of cold water with me, and a bottle of Gatorade. The trail is about 4 miles, so I thought I could loop it, and replenish my water, and not have to carry it all with me.
I made it about 1.77 miles, and had to stop and drink lots of water. I was so hot!! This is South Carolina so it gets hot quick. And, more than half the trail is fully exposed to the sun. I hadn't planned on that either. No sunscreen, and wearing a singlette. I'm so fair skinned, that I will burn like a fry. And I did. Last year I wore singlettes on the trails of Paris Mountain, and never once thought about sunscreen. So this took me by surprise.
Long story short, I only did 1 loop, and just added on 2 more miles back and forth in the shade.
But something occured to me while on this run. I have not acclimated to running in the heat yet. I've been running, but in the morning, when the sun isn't so strong.
So, I started thinking about the Chattooga River 50K race on June 8th. I'm not sure if I should do it. My longest run has been only 10 miles. My weekly mileage has not been consistent every week either. 14-24-9-30-11 each week. I've been so busy, that it was hard to fit my runs in. But even when I did the 30 mile week, I didn't feel any pain in my hamstring, or worn down. I felt great. Then I had 11 this past week. The race has not time limit, so my plan was to run/walk. I also thought I could at least try it, and drop if necessary.
It will also be hot during this race. I'm not sure how much of the trail is in the shade. But there are aid stations, and I will carry my energy drink with me. I will also apply plenty of sunscreen.
But there's an entirely different element to my decision for this race. June 8th is also the day my mother died, 8 years ago. It's also my younger sister's birthday. I had every intention of running this race in honor of them. That is very important to me.
So, with all this, I can't decide if I should do the race. I really do want to. I started to email the race director to tell her I would not be there, but I couldn't do it. I've already missed her first 2 races from this hamstring injury, and I just feel the need to do a race. But the question is SHOULD I do it.
My big goal race is Mountain Masochist 50 mile on November 1st. I DNF'd last year, and I have to conquer it this year. That is the biggest goal this year. My training will start right after the 50K on June 8th. I just hate to not do something, not knowing if I really could've finished it.
Anyone have thoughts about this? Any advise?

Cheri

Ever have those days?

Every once in a while, there is a day when you just don't feel like exercising. Today was one of those days. Of course, I felt guilty for it. I should've been out there cycling tonight since I couldn't run this morning. But, I just decided to go to my son's soccer practice, and watch him kick 2 GOALS!!! I would've missed it. Gotta remind myself that family will always come first.

Working on blog

At the end of my first 50K, June 3, 2007.

Still smiling. :-)

Getting slower?

I can't seem to get my pace back to where it was before my injury. I fell on February 9th. It's now May 15th. 3 months later, and I don't feel anywhere near what I could do.
It seems that everyone around me is getting faster. My sister just finished a 10K, with an 8:48 pace. She just started running not too long ago. I'm so proud of her!!
I guess I just want to be where I was last year. I will start training for my 50 miler in 1 month. I need to get my mileage back up there. I have a plan written out, but I need to make some final adjustments to it.
My fitness is very important to me, but my training log doesn't reflect that. There are quite a few blank pages. Of course I've been busy and my husband was out of town for 2 weeks. Made it hard to get exercise in with 2 young kids. Why do I feel I'm in such a slump? Everyone around me is faster, and I'm struggling to keep up. I think I need a good, short race to get my spirits up. I need to find a 5K or an 8K. I could run those fast. Need to show myself that I can still do it.
Wow. Enough whining from me. Get to have a date night with my husband tomorrow night. Yea!!

What a week!!

This has been a busy exercise week for me. I didn't sub at the preschool, so I actually had time to run. Two weeks ago, I ran 24 miles, and cycled 21. Last week I cycled 30 miles, but only ran 9. What's up with that? This week is much better. I did weights 2 times, and ran 4 days in a row. I already have over 22 miles, and still have a long run on Saturday. I'm hitting the trails, and I'm so excited. I miss running on the trails with my girlfriends.
We've had some heart to heart, funny, confessing, and even simple conversations while hitting the trails. That's a big thing for me. I love those conversations. It's great to have someone to talk to when you're running for 5 hours. That would be really lonely.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Still think about a 100 miler.

Cheri

I might get over 20 miles in this week. Snaps for me!! My hamstring is doing much better, as long as I keep up on the stretching.
I'm registering for Mountain Masochist this week. I own that mountain this year!! I'm actually excited about it. Now I know what to expect, and what's ahead of me. I need to rewrite my training program though. I was always exhausted at the end of each week last year. I know I need the mileage, but I need to add a little more cross training.
My husband, and a few friends think I'm crazier than normal, but I'm seriously considering a 100 miler next year. I've read about the Rocky Raccoon, but that's in February. I wonder if that's too soon after Mountain Masochist, or if I need to train a lot longer for a race of that distance. Anyone have ideas? I would need to find a good training plan for that, too.
I'm so happy to be running again. I really did miss it.