Race Day: Unreasonably Nervous

I know it's silly. I know that. I know I shouldn't be nervous. I've done this before. But I still am.

This evening is my third 5k race, but I'm more nervous than I've been for any of the others. I think it's because I have all day to think about it. The race isn't until 6pm, whereas for all the others, I've woken up, had a quick breakfast, fed the dog, fed the cats, and sped out the door. No time to be nervous.

But this time, it's an evening race. And my first in summer-like temperatures. It's been in the 20s or 30s for the others, which I thought was a bigger challenge, but now that I've run when it's warm... that's a lot more grueling! I sweat big time, even when it's cool. It's already 66 F and only 8:30 am. The forecasted high is 77. That's what they said yesterday, and it got to 90. Humid. Chance of thunderstorms. All that adds up to one sweaty gross Lorina.

And this is the first time my husband will be there to cheer me on. And take photos. He had been working night shift, and was dead asleep during all my other races. But his shift changed recently, so he's coming along. I want to make him proud. I know he's already proud, but I still want to do well for him.

For my first race, which was a 4.5 mile, not a 5k, I was happy to just cross the finish line. I had to take walk breaks, and I was ok with that. I still finished better than I thought I would. For my second, a 5k, my goal was to run the whole thing, and I did, and I was very happy with my time (29:42). The most recent race was another 5k, and I did amazing! It was cold, and windy, and I wasn't prepared because I was at a party the night before, had a few Long Island Ice Teas, and overslept the next day. And I finished in 27:56, just 15 seconds behind my 25 year old very athletic niece who's been running for years. Pretty good for an almost 39 year old noob who's only been running 4 months!!!

So I'm putting excessive pressure on myself for this one. I want to do even better. Logically, I know I can't compare the two races. Any two races, really. The course, weather, and circumstances are all different. It's ok if I have to go slower, or even take a walk break if I feel I need to. Trying to get a great time isn't worth a heat stroke or dehydration. It's still a new experience, and one that will prepare me even more for the Warrior Dash in June, which is the whole reason I started running in the first place.

Still, I'd appreciate it if y'all would wish me luck, and if anyone has any weather controlling devices, maybe pass a t-storm through Northeastern Pennsylvania around 4pm, so it'll be cooler and refreshing by the 6pm start time. :laugh: