Week 6 of training for the Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon is complete. Thing in red did not happen. Thing in purple is what I did instead:
Total Miles: 22
Monday: Yoga
Tuesday: Pace intervals, upper body strength
Wednesday: Easy 40 minute run, lower body strength
Thursday: Drills, strength
Friday: 8xhill repeats
Saturday: Heavy weights
Sunday: 5k Race 9 mile long run
Everyday: Pushups and corework
So yeah, I blew off a race. For no other reason than it was cold (5 degrees) and it snowed overnight (4 inches). While I appreciated the daily emails from the race director, the one I received the night before the race saying not to arrive too early since there was nowhere to keep warm, oh and the medals hadn’t arrived was the last straw. I started questioning whether I should do the race at all. Surely the conditions would be crap. Long story short, I didn’t. And as soon as it was too late to change my mind, the guilt set in. To be fair I’ve been worrying that my endurance so far this cycle was subpar and was uneasy missing my long run. I’d planned to make that 9’er up mid-week next week. To assuage my guilt, I got the 9’er done and thanks to brilliant sun and minimal wind, it wasn’t bad at all, despite some dicey footing I came away with no broken hips. I think I’ve only DNS’d one other race (Frozen Fanny trail race, Jan 2013) for weather. I did not feel one shred of guilt for the marathon I DNS’d due to injury.
The footing may be treacherous but the stunning views make winter running worth it.
Looking ahead: While I thought my coaching plan started off on the easy side, this week makes the bile rise a little…ok a lot: Hello 5×1 mile repeats? 10x400m? Unless I blocked it out, I don’t think I’ve ever done more than 3×1 mile repeats. Gah.
In other news I finally got picked to help out at Thing 2’s 2nd grade Valentine’s Day party. In our district we are blessed with so many willing-to-help parents, one must go into a lottery to be chosen. My day has come!
In still other news it’s still a billion degrees below zero and nobody even bats an eye anymore. It’s cold. It snows a lot. Our heating bills will require a second mortgage to pay. Snooze.
And finally: Mad props to my home girl Gracie Gold who threw it down big time in the Olympic Team Skating event. She is such a star and I couldn’t be more proud.
Which leaves me with a dilemma: What to watch tonight? Juan Pablo (I really want Sharleen the opera singer for him, although everyone else in the house loathes her) or the Olympics??
Have you ever DNS’d a race? Did you feel guilty about it? What will you watch tonight?
I have DNS a race. It was a 1/2 marathon and I signed up for it only because the previous year it was 50* and rained the entire 2 hours I ran. I wanted to run it again in better weather. Well, guess what? 50’s and rain the following year. I woke up to pouring rain at 5:30 a.m. and said screw it. I’m not going. I felt guilty for half a second.
Totally watching the Olympics. No contest. I don’t even know who this Pablo person is.
I’ve never DNS’d but probably should have to be honest. You know the weather is bad when everyone just stops even bothering to complain LOL
I have never DNS’d a race. However, there were several times that I should have but was just too darned stubborn (and later hugely regretted the decision to go out there anyways). If I had a race on the calendar this past weekend, I think I would have DNS’d it too, especially after hearing that the medals hadn’t arrived. NO GUILT.
DNS > DNF
I had a few DNS’s when I was pregnant, mostly due to the heat – and one due to the slow CTA:) I am usually ok with it – I figured with the heat, I was being smart.
I’ve been trying to watch the Olympics, but the kids are on a Glee kick, so usually I’m outvoted…
I would have such a hard time DNSing when I was healthy and could afford the race – but that being said… those are the reasons I have DNSed. Bummer that it was so cold. And no medals?! LAME.
I am SO HAPPY people are accepting the weather and bitching about it less. Ha ha. Is that just me?
Teaching tonight so I will have to watch the Olympic replays!
Olympics all the way.
I don’t think I’ve ever DNS’d, unless you count a race that I skipped because a better race came up (which I don’t). I’ve WANTED to a few times but then been glad I didn’t.
24* seemed like a heat wave yesterday, and today the temperature was 7* and I just wore a fleece jacket. Crazy the way you adjust (though I’m looking forward to nicer weather).
This is tough, I admit that because races are not my favorite I probably would have made the same call, unless someone was running it with me. I figure if it wasn’t your goal race and it might have hindered your progress not worth it.
I’d probably DNS a lot more races if it wasn’t for the accompanying guilt. It’s hard to let that go (especially if you’re an overthinker). Sounds like it was a good race to miss, though.
I DNSd the water run (?) last summer because it was so far away and I couldn’t get anyone to go with me. I didn’t feel bad about it — life is too short to waste a morning on a bad race!
I have so much workout catch up it’s insane. I’ve got to get things in order again. Work is killing me. The fact that you are getting your runs in with all the cold totally amazes me. I just can’t get out there.
It’s so awesome that you have to have a lottery to help the kids. We don’t have that going on around here.
Watching- the Olympics.
Holy Batman – you have to have a lottery to help out at school. Crazy!
I’ve never DNS’s a race (or DNF) but if I did, a 5k would be one that I wouldn’t lose too much sleep over! A half or a full would be a different story! And hey, you ran 9 instead! Sounds like a win to me.
Tell me about this Lincoln Half Marathon! Is is true that the medal is a giant penny? I may have to do this one next year, for that alone!
Geeze, I get it! Where was it?
I couldn’t find parking for a race in the fall & it was raining, so we went to Starbucks instead of racing. Happens.
Debbie it was in Highland Park.
BUMMER! I almost DNS’d the 10K there but I went. I have DNS’d many races and am always bummed. You were smart to pass. The 5K footing was BAD. Mile 1 and Mile 3 – 3.1 were awful. The 10K was actually fine except mile 1 and mile 5 – 6.2 (where we collided with the slush and back of pack 5K people.) Miles 2-6 were beautiful and exhilarating! It was cold! The loot was good. I wound up with candy, popcorn, a cute shirt and a $15 gift card to Running Right! 🙂 I am sorry to have missed you though! You are better off having skipped. You would not have been pleased w/the footing!
I think you definitely made the right call! I am so impressed with all you winter people who just run in the snow…that would be my first excuse not to bother exercising! ;)-Ashley
I have done a DNS before. The only guilt I felt was about wasting money.
I have DNS 3x’s – once due to injury and the other two due to illness. No guilt except I really hate to waste the $$. I think I would have done the same if I were you. And I’m so with you on the mile repeats – always makes me want to throw up when I see them come up on a training plan!
I had about 8 DNSs in 2011 in the height of my foot fiasco – love that I ate all lose lovely fees (NOT!).
We don’t have TV anymore so no Olympics here. Sad face.
Sorry about your race…was it a half marathon? Gah, we do need to catch up SOON!!
xo
Oh, and meant to tell you it’s suppose to be 68 here on Saturday. SIXTY EIGHT!! Maybe it’s heading your way!!!! Fingers crossed!
I know another blogger that was going to run this same 5K but got the times wrong and missed it, so you both were DNS this year. At least you’re in good company, I guess?
I might have to DNS the 50K in Alaska this weekend. After a really really warm January, it’s all a big sheet of ice. With how fragile my arm is (fall=broken=cut that sucker off, not exaggerating), I absolutely CAN NOT FALL. If this really does happen, my little heart will break into a thousand little pieces. Snow is in the forecast so I’m crossing all the things possible that it adds some traction to the trail and I can run.
I would have blown off the race, too. 5 degrees is hard to breathe in.
Even though you didn’t race, you got in the long run so it’s a win!!
I DVRed The Bachelor and watched the Olympics Monday night.
I had to DNS a lot of races last year…but, *hit happens. Right? I honestly don’t know how you do the weather/cold thing. It’s only been a few days for us and I am not a fan. Bring on spring!