In 24 hours the Lisbon half marathon will start. My nerves are on super high alert, as if it were about to start right now.The hotel is clearly full of runners, all sitting eatting a healthy breakfast, laughing and chatting confidently. I'd bet none are within 15 years of my age, maybe not even 20!
I've watched half a dozen runners outside the hotel, running and stretching and looking seriously good.
There's a three hour cut off; I've not done a race with such a tight cut off before. Maybe this is just too serious for the likes of me.
I forgot to bring my instant porridge, my go to pre-race breakfast. Currently trying to secrete oats and milk back to our room to soak overnight, then warm up with hot milk from the coffee machine in the morning π
The weather is dire! Cold, windy and pouring with rain and the forecast is no better tomorrow. I need a wardrobe rethink.
My upset tummy is still not right (definitely the plane food from Cape Verde to Lisbon); should I eat to keep my energy up or starve to kill the tummy bug?
Woke in the night drenched in sweat, overnight garmin stats were dreadful.
Help!!!
I have run many events, several of them half marathons, one Metric Marathon and all within 3 hours, yet this morning my confidence is rock bottom! Everything is a gremlin with a big voice!
Maybe tomorrow I will feel better, because I surely can't feel any worse. Were I famous, I'd be shouting 'I'm a celebrity, get me out of here!!!'
Send prayers lovely running buddies ... methinks its going to be a long day! Not sightseeing as planned, not in this weather. Maybe just a day in bed!!!
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linda9389
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Oh Linda, sounds stressful and less than ideal prep for tomorrow.
But you CAN do this, ignore everyone else and what they are up to, just run for yourself. Can you distract yourself this afternoon/evening with an excursion or visit to something?
Wishing you all the best, will be rooting for you with my virtual pom poms! x
Most importantly, I will because I am nothing if not determined!
We may try short walk this afternoon, but right now, after a crack of thunder that sounded like someone just blew up the whole of Lisbon, I am cozying up in the hotel room. Three weeks ago we packed for Cape Verde weather and 17 degrees in Lisbon; at that time this period of bad weather had not been forecast and I'm afraid we simply don't have the right clothes! I should have bought a waterproof winter coat in Decathlon yesterday!!!
You will and can do it well within 3 hours , good luck, if you wish go for a little jog, relax, everyone on this forum wishes you a wonderful runπβ β
PS Just looked at the weather forecast for Lisbon for your run, rain showers but a pleasant 11C temperature
Thanks Al. No running for me today though. I got too wet and cold yesterday going to the expo to collect my bib. We didn't pack for this weather as it wasn't forecast when we left home three weeks ago. Hey ho!!! Maybe a short stroll this afternoon in a slightly less dull and wet part of the day π
Thanks so much BB. Deep down I believe in me too, but the panic was bubbling up and threatening to overwhelm me;.I needed to get it out somewhere and I knew this was the one place where people would probably understand.
Nerves are normal. Now, deep breath, time to try to channel them in a positive way ππ₯°
This girl can! You've got this Linda. Rest up, keep hydrated and go get that medal tomorrow. We are all cheering you on to that finish line. πͺπ β€οΈ
Ahh linda9389 , pre race jitters on high alert. Iβm sure youβll feel better, physically and mentally, in the morning. Maybe the weather isnβt ideal, but surely better than being too hot, especially if youβre not feeling 100%?
As for the cutoff, youβll trounce it. It would surely even allow you walk breaks - Iβve seen your runs on Strava and seen you romping past me in real life. Youβve got this!
Wishing you all the very best for tomorrow. Think of your pom pom waving pals, think of how youβll feel when you see the finish line, and think of the bling. Go Linda!!! πͺ πππ
Tomorrow is another day right! And it's true, the bling for this race looks pretty neat ... I need to keep my head down and take the pre race one step at a time; that way everything is much more manageable (ohh, there goes the thunder again!!!)
Distracted myself for a while finding somewhere to stay in Cardiff in October!!!
oh Linda, donβt let the imposter syndrome get you, remember you are magnificent!! You have earned your place on that start line and have every right to βown itβ. I did my HM in under 3 hours and I walked often! Try to relax, and prepare yourself for the most wonderful day you are going to have tomorrow. You want to do this remember! So go out there and enjoy it. Looking forward to seeing your photos and reading your report.
It was full on imposter syndrome this morning S&R. You'd think I'd be beyond that, but no apparently not! Every time I step in the lift there's some young runner (looking very much the part) getting in with me and I don't even want to go out in the cold and wet, let alone run. A real imposter. Grrr.
I think 'I wanted to do this' is more accurate (as the thunder rolls around and the rain beats against the window ...) π
I think the cozy hotel room, under the duvet (π) with a good book or TV sounds a good planβ¦.and a stroll to stretch the legs later. You will be brilliant - 3 hours cut-off, no problem! Look forward to your race report ππ
We actually got lucky. This morning was evil and cozy hotel room it was, but it cleared a bit soon after lunch and we popped out for a short and gentle walk. Back in the room and there's now thunder and lashing rain. Hope that takes a break when we head out for a pre race pizza!
You're right about the three hours; it shouldn't be a problem ... but for some reason it adds pressure as if to say 'this is a serious race you know, maybe you don't belong here'. Even as I type that I know it's not logical, yet it's also very real π€·ββοΈ
Day in bed, watch rugby and know you have loads more experience than those gazelles!! Slow but sure gets through the race on time! Enjoy your secreted porridge and enjoy the race... you will be FINE!
Good idea! Spent quite some time trying to find the rugby on the hotel TV, to no avail. Then tried to stream it on my phone, to no avail. So no rugby ... but I was well distracted for quite a while π
We found an Irish pub here showing the rugby but it was full late morning and they werenβt letting anyone else in!! We listened to it by radio but itβs not quite the same as watching it, although given the score Iβm glad I didnβt watch it π
Pay no attention to those other runners. They are probably feeling just like you. 3 hours is well within your abilities. For goodness sake, even I did my HMs well within 3 hours and you are way faster than me. Iβd be inclined to stay out of the horrid weather unless you really need to burn some nervous energy. Youβve got this xxx
It's hard Sandie. Lots of them have been out running today. They filled the dining room at breakfast. There's one or more every time I get in the lift. We bumped into two separate runners as we went to check out how to get to the start point ... They're everywhere!
You are of course right about the reality of 3 hours being OK, but somehow it adds a pressure by suggesting this is serious π€·ββοΈ
We managed a short walk between thunder storms, but safely tucked up again until it's time to head out for pizza later. Hope the weather in Spain is treating you better than this!
We are currently in Valencia listening to the rain falling on the van roof and hoping that it will be fine for the Fallas procession and fireworks in the city tomorrow. Milder than in the mountains, but disappointing βΉοΈ
Aw ... Linda. I'm feeling for you and like others I have great confidence in you. You are such an encourager of others, me obviously included, with masses of experience. You are a super runner too. I am sure that you can complete the Lisbon half in 3 hours. I certainly hope you are able to enjoy many aspects of it as well. I remember someone here, Irish Princess I think, telling butterflies show that you care and that I should imagine them sitting on my shoulder encoursging me along. Having said that I expect the moment you start your race, you will be in your comfort zone, running as you know how so well. Perhaps you will imagine all of us waving our pom poms and cheering you on. Go, go , go and have a really good time. Draw on all your strategies to meet any challenges. πππββοΈπββοΈπββοΈπββοΈπββοΈπββοΈππ
I so appreciated everyones' words of encouragement, so I collected them together! You CAN do this. You will and can do it well within 3 hours. I believe in you, you are amazing. This girl can! You've got this Linda. As for the cutoff, youβll trounce it. Youβve got this! Think of your pom pom waving pals, think of how youβll feel when you see the finish line, and think of the bling. Go Linda!!! πͺ πππ
And your own confident words as well. I have run many events, several of them half marathons, one Metric Marathon and all within 3 hours. I can. I will because I am nothing if not determined! Deep down I believe in me too. Nerves are normal. Now, deep breath, time to try to channel them in a positive way. I feel a bit calmer now .
I do hope your tummy is settling, hope it goes really well and I look forward to reading all about it ππ
Linda, you have absolutely got this - and you know you can make that cut off!
As they say on The Running Channel, βcomparison is the thief of joy!β so admire the young racing snakes for what they are (young!) and go out there and run your own race, your way!
I really hope that you feel better as the day progresses - maybe a walk later will help but we are all wishing you the best here on the forum! ππx
Snakes huh? That's better, that's almost fighting talk. I feel myself standing a little taller already π
I spent some of the morning planning Cardiff and booking some accommodation for that race; good distraction although the irony of distracting myself from a stressful experience by further committing to a similar experience wasn't lost on me π
I didnβt mean it in a fighting way!!π€£ I love watching the speedsters! Iβm in Cardiff too but am already doubting my ability to run the distance after a summer of rubbish runs in the sunshine!π€£π€£π±
Haha! Hubby is from Walesβ¦so Iβm afraid experience definitely tells me otherwise!! Beautiful though it isβ€οΈ π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώπ§οΈπ€£
π Linda,Linda, Linda!! You know better than to be diverted by a few strutting peacocks! Stripped of all the window dressing, this is just an HM over an easy sounding route which you are capable of nailing on one leg in under 3 hours! I think your symptoms will disappear as soon as the gun goes off(maybe they have a cannon for such an illustrious event) and you settle into that amazing stride you have. Tomorrow?; bring it on!!π
Honestly BC - they just exude health, energy, strength, capability ... and ... youth! And they are everywhere round here (turns out that although I booked a hotel that doesn't serve alcohol, I did find one within a very easy walk of the start line ... so long as they don't put up any barriers overnight).
The gun usually settles me; hopefully the same will happen tomorrow. I don't even have a target time to stress about, so, weather willing, I'll keep my head up and hopefully have a good look around!
Whatever happens, I know I want the medal and I want the first stamp on my superhalfs passport! So this girl's just gotta do what she came to do!!!
Unlike all those youngsters you have oodles of experience and so will run your own race your own way.
Iβm sure most of them havenβt faced so many setbacks, obstacles, injuries and niggles than you have on your running journey, yet here you are, ready for the start line with all that training under your belt and having beaten all those gremlins.
You will be tickety boo and you will run a fine race. Remember, this is FUN!!! π₯³π€π₯° and you want the bling, so go get it πββοΈxxx
Ooh, it doesn't look much fun out my window IP, definitely not capital letter fun πππ But the bling ... that'll look good if I can get it back to the English sunshine π
Stormy weather over the start and finish of the Lisbon HM course
Thinking about you, don't worry about the young fit ones, seriously, I bet they're in awe that you're there on the starting line wondering if they will be in 30 or 40 years time. Go get that bling π
it sounds like itβs not the perfect situation you would have hoped for linda9389 , but you are a pretty determined soul and I am sure that you will feel a lot better once you stand on the start line . Look at the sights and soak up the vibes and just do what you can. You always seem to surprise yourself on the day, and Iβm sure this will be the same. If not, you tried, and if you donβt meet the cut off, at least you tried. Keep up the hydration, Look after yourself , and stop if you need to. Big hugs being sent your way.
I think it'll be mainly rain I'll be soaking up. I've never had proper rain and bad weather on an event ... but there's a first time for everything ... and I've many reports on here where people got wet and survived. Or so I keep reminding myself!But you're right, race magic can bring lots of positive surprises.
Thanks for the hugs though. They feel very good right now, because every now and again my big girl pants keep falling down ππ
Iβve discovered that once you are wet, you canβt get any wetter and I donβt feel cold while running. But Iβve never run a HM in it! Good luck to you.
Thankyou Sue. Now at dinner - pizza. They sat us next to two guys I recognise from the hotel. They are speaking English. Discussing paces ... 4m 20s per km .. and times... 1h 30m. OMG!!! How to put me off my dinner. Literally they are sitting calculating paces that are off the scale π
Haha, thanks Lexi. I've been a terrible wimp today, but 9:30am will be here soon enough and the mental effort will change again. After that I have a deep bath to look forward to and a bottle of fizz already chilling.
We sat next to two guys at dinner who discussed how 1h 30m sounds slow! Oh my!!! the rest of the restaurant filled with younger runners. But I held my nerve, I ran my own race and ordered a glass of wine, despite every other table in the restaurant only drinking water. I'm in a league of my own πππ
You can do this! Try to remember that the only pressure youβre under is the pressure you put on yourself. Dont forget all the basics that have got you through dozens, perhaps hundreds of runs before. Form and breathing and routine, as much as you can keep things simple and familiar. And whatβs the worst that can happenβ¦??
Oh no Linda, that sounds really stressful. I hope this has worked out well for you. If you are out on the course as I type I hope a big pom pom waving surge of positivity from London helps carry you along. π€π
Oh gawd! Best laid plans ey π€·ββοΈ ββTwas ever thus π
What is it with weather! βΉοΈ Glorious here for racing, but Iβm not! π€¬
You are, however, so go get it done πͺππββοΈ Best foot forward! Youβre used to sh*t weather so hopefully it wonβt be as bad as feared π€
Weβre all cheering you on so feel the force, as the song goes πΆπ΅ ππππyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeha!
Iβm a bit late to reading this post linda9389 but Iβm predicting your finish time will be between 2 and 2:15 hours based on the fact that you are much faster than I am and my only official HM was done in 2:30 in horrendous weather. By this morning I hope the pre-race nerves have subsided and that youβre now looking forward to the run! Best of luck and Iβm looking forward to hearing all about your success later xx
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