The America’s Most interesting Metropolis Half Marathon was canceled as a result of a climate occasion that’s fully unparalleled in California. Right here’s what I ran as a substitute…
I used to be registered to run the America’s Most interesting Metropolis Half Marathon in San Diego, California this weekend. I used to be enthusiastic about it for a number of causes together with however not restricted to: half marathons are my fave distance, there aren’t loads of half marathons in the summertime, I used to be going to remain in San Diego and had a bunch of enjoyable plans for earlier than and after the race. However, none of it occurred as a result of the race was CANCELED LAST MINUTE.
Let’s take just a few steps again to the times main as much as the race…
I believe Wednesday somebody talked about there was a hurricane off the coast of western Mexico and it was headed to Southern California. My response was one thing alongside the traces of “No. Hurricane? Ha!”. I’ve lived in SoCal my complete life (exterior of that one cute yr in Maryland). Hurricanes should not a factor right here. Really, rain in August isn’t a factor right here. The typical rainfall for August is 0.0 inches. ZERO.
So, I figured it would rain however I didn’t suppose an actual life hurricane was going to hit San Diego.
Thursday morning I heard the native information speaking about it and I noticed – we’re not in Kansas (or another place that doesn’t have hurricanes) any extra. At the moment it was a fairly sizable hurricane and so they weren’t positive how rapidly it might transfer or how a lot it might change in measurement. The climate forecast for the weekend was estimating a tropical storm would hit the San Diego space in a single day Saturday proper into Sunday morning race time.
Naturally, I took to Instagram to share this race weekend replace and requested for runners aware of hurricanes and tropical storms to chime in with their ideas. Since I’m not aware of this sort of climate – I needed to know if that is the sort of factor you hear earlier than a race is canceled. A whole lot of runners messaged me saying the climate could be ROUGH, probably harmful and lots of had been shocked it was canceled but.
The factor is… in case you’re not aware of hurricanes (like myself and I’m assuming the race organizers) – it’s exhausting to imagine that there’s out of the blue going to be tremendous wild climate when it’s at present attractive out.
Additionally, runners speak about psychological energy lots and certainly one of our favourite mind workout routines is known as “Denial”. We regularly do a number of reps of “Denial” after we’re not feeling 100% however nonetheless wish to run. You may even see runners train “Denial” in the summertime when the humidity is 100% and so they’re carrying all black doing a long term at midday.
My level is = nobody needs to skip a race or a run. And race organizers positively don’t wish to cancel a race except the federal government is forcing them to (see: 2020).
Fortunately, I’ve the BEST followers on the earth and lots of of you messaged me saying it might be unsafe and/or the race could be canceled. And also you had been a number of steps forward of the race organizers!
Friday morning runners bought a affirmation e-mail that the race was ON. Saturday morning America’s Most interesting Metropolis instagram was posting movies of runners coming to select up their packets for race day.
That was giving me FOMO as a result of I’d already determined I wasn’t going to drive right down to San Diego for the race. The visitors from Orange County to San Diego is at all times JAMMED. I didn’t wish to be caught in that visitors throughout a foul storm on the best way again after the race.
Plus – I used to be having flashbacks from the Vacation Half Marathon I ran in December that was throughout a torrential downpour. I thought of taking a DNS and going house as I used to be freezing ready for the race to start after being delayed a number of occasions. I stayed and ran the race, however promised myself that I wouldn’t pressure myself to run a race in a storm ever once more. And this was beginning to sound just like the AFC Half Marathon was going to be even worse.
That is the Instagram replace the race organizers posted 7pm on Saturday the evening earlier than the race:
What I Did When My Half Marathon Was Canceled
I nonetheless needed to run a half marathon this weekend even when the race was canceled. On Saturday morning I set out for a solo long term of 13.1 miles.
Pre run gas included oatmeal, banana and occasional:
What I listened to on my run:
I saved the tip of my audio e book for the run (that is certainly one of my favourite long term hacks to beat boredom). I listened to ‘For Better and Worse’ by Margot Hunt after which turned on music. The previous couple of books I’ve listened to have been good (after a string of ‘meh’ ones) and it makes me further pleased. I like to recommend ‘None of This is True’ by Lisa Jewell too. And I believe that one is greatest as an audio e book since there are totally different narrators and a part of the plot entails a podcast. I’ve a monthly Audible subscription and suppose I found Jewell from certainly one of their gross sales for subscribers.
Lengthy Run Recap:
I attempted a brand new route since my regular long term routes have turn out to be boring and really feel tedious. It was nice! I discovered an incredible new pedestrian path that was simply the correct amount of busy. I handed by a retailer that I heard truly has Sriracha (however didn’t go into test as a result of I used to be so sweaty). I noticed a water fountain in direction of the start of my run, however didn’t want it on the time (my lil bottle was nonetheless full). I do know there need to be extra water fountains alongside the route, however I need to’ve been within the zone and didn’t see anymore after that first one. I ended up operating out of water – which is a reminder to plan long term hydration higher subsequent time!
When it bought to be the flip round level I made a decision to maintain operating and I’d simply name Ben to select me up wherever I used to be. In my earlier life I used to do that on a regular basis, however haven’t in years. So, I simply saved operating and operating till I hit mile 12. I deliberate to ask him to select me a couple of mile from my present location so I’d hit 13.1 miles whole.
However, in a single day aliens had kidnapped him and changed him with a Ben look alike as a result of – he was on a stroll with a pal??! Ummmm… feels like a lie, however okay.
At that time he was a protracted stroll again to his automotive plus a 30 minute drive to get to me. I used to be NOT pleased about it, but it surely was 1000% my fault for not truly planning this out. I used to be about to start out crying, however realized I used to be already dehydrated and couldn’t afford to lose the water from my tears. So, I rallied and bought again to operating.
I ended up operating 15 miles whole. I haven’t run this lengthy shortly, so I used to be secretly pleased my plan to get a experience didn’t work out. I wanted this reminder that I can run this far. 16 miles was once my go-to distance for lengthy runs simply to remain inside just a few weeks of marathon form. I missed that feeling of runner’s excessive drained accomplishment. (Are you aware what I imply? Please say you do…)
I began this publish speaking about America’s Most interesting Metropolis Half Marathon being canceled as a result of Hurricane Hilary… however bought sidetracked by my long term recap. Oh nicely. Let’s calm down.
Reminders for Runners Dealing with Race Day Challenges
It’s unhappy when your race is canceled. It sucks when the climate on race day is tremendous sizzling or chilly or stormy. It’s irritating when one thing out of your management hurts your skill to run your greatest on race day. You’ve a proper to really feel all of the issues when life arms you a lemon as a substitute of a banana on race morning. However, after a 5 minute cry – shake it off and give attention to what YOU CAN DO.
Let go of the issues you may’t management. Do your greatest with the issues you may management.
I didn’t give attention to the ominous climate forecast or how a lot cash I’d be out if I made a decision to not run the race final minute or if race organizers would cancel or defer or one thing else. I can’t management any of these issues.
I targeted on what I might management. I used to be capable of management what I did the day earlier than the storm hit. I used to be unhappy about not operating the race, however I might nonetheless get in a superb long term. And I did.
I notice this can be a distinctive state of affairs and doesn’t apply to runner set backs like accidents… however every time doable, it does assist to to give attention to what you are able to do (not what you may’t).
YOU GOT THIS.
