So tomorrow is that race I’ve been talking about lately- the Blacksburg Classic 10 Miler. I’m excited and nervous, but I get that way about every race no matter what the distance is. However I am also feeling very unsure about it. With the way my running has been recently (highs and lows) I just don’t know which version of me is going to show up at the start line tomorrow. It’s also kind of a weird race in that it doesn’t start until 1 PM.

One thing I cannot decide is whether or not to bring my iPod along. Quite the dilemma…. I know. I didn’t run with my iPod during last year’s race, but I ran the first half of the race with Nicki. I knew we would be running together for some of the race, which is why I didn’t bring any music. I seldom run with music, even when I have to do a long run by myself. But I do occasionally run with my iPod during training runs. I have only ever run a race with my iPod one time and it was last June when I ran the Varmint 1/2 Marathon. I knew the race was in a rural area with very few spectators. It was also a very challenging, hilly race and I was so glad to have music to keep my mind from taking over.

After last year’s Varmint with our age group sheep trophies… it’s a very small race.

Tomorrow’s race will be similar to the Varmint HM. From what I can remember from last year, there are a fair number of spectators at the start and finish line, but not much in between. The last half of the race is an out and back on a bike trail, so runners do get to encourage each other as they pass, which is really nice. But I’m thinking I may want my iPod tomorrow. If I crank up the tunes, maybe I can quiet that voice in my head that’s been throwing off my runs lately.

Anytime I do run with my iPod I always keep one earbud out so I can hear what’s going on around me. During a race it’s important to hear instructions from course marshalls, any possible approaching vehicles (the first few miles of tomorrow’s race are on neighborhood roads), and runners around me. I also want to hear if any spectators cheer for me so I can acknowledge them in some way! Have you ever spectated a race where it seemed like everyone had their earbuds in and you cheered and they didn’t even seem to hear you or see you? I have and it definitely lessens the experience for both spectators and participants.

It looks like there’s a chance of rain/snow tonight and more snow showers tomorrow through the afternoon. They’re predicting the high will be 33 degrees. This could get interesting!

What do you think I should do tomorrow?? Music or no music?

Do you regularly run with an iPod?

Do you use music during a race?

Short post tonight. After work today Barry and I ran a little over 3 miles at the trail in town. I felt much better than I did last night. My legs felt strong and I felt comfortable running a bit under a 10 minute per mile pace. It rained all day today, but it had stopped by the time we headed out to run. It was 39 degrees outside, so I got to run in shorts again!

The trail we ran on this evening is the same one I ran at on Saturday. It was in much better condition. The town had come through and spread new crushed gravel, filled in holes, and cleared debris.

After tonight’s run I’m feeling a little more confidant about the race this weekend. Tonight’s run may have been just what I needed.

Mr Boy!

I finally got a picture of him after my run today. Barry and I ran a little over 3 miles this evening, and Mr. Boy joined in for the last 0.4 miles of our run. I have talked about him in the past on the blog HERE and HERE. Usually when I finish running I can’t get inside and get my camera before he’s gone. But today Barry kept him entertained until I could get outside, and Mr. Boy was nice enough to strike the above pose on our front walk for me. Then he was off!

As far as the actual run today, it was just so-so. I’m still feeling low on energy, but my back is feeling a bit better. I think the rest over the past 2 days and the icing has helped some. The weather is really nice, though. It’s currently overcast and 48 degrees so I got to run in shorts! They say it’s going to get pretty cold over the next few days and we’re expecting some snow as well. Here we go again…

Today is a rest day, and I’m trying to especially make a point to rest and ice my back. Except for the part where I spent the morning sweeping and swiffering the floors and vacuuming the bedrooms. That probably didn’t help my back any, but the house has to be cleaned.

Last night I made some shrimp tacos for dinner, with a side of rice.

I actually got the recipe from a coupon book our grocery store sent out a few years ago, and it’s a keeper. The shrimp are coated in minced garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, cayenne pepper, and olive oil and cooked. I like to use corn tortillas and I usually fry a few of them in olive oil and shape them into hard taco shells. We top the shrimp with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and a cilantro-lime sour cream (sour cream mixed with fresh chopped cilantro, ground cumin, lime juice, and a little salt). I think the recipe is meant to be a summertime recipe, but we eat it all year round. I love shrimp!

I’ve been reading through my new issue of Running Times and there’s an article in it about getting the most from your GPS watch, written by Greg McMillan. When it comes to training runs, I am married to my Garmin. It doesn’t matter if it’s a route I’ve run 100 times and know exactly what distance it is. I just have to have that watch on my wrist. Oddly enough, I tend to run longer races (10+ miles) without my GPS. I usually prefer my timex stopwatch. I have no explanation for this. I can explain why I wear it in shorter races, though. When you’re running that hard, it helps to know exaclty how many tenths of a mile there are to go. It’s the only way I can convince myself to keep up the pace.

Haunted Half Marathon, October 2012, Kingsport… a Garmin-less race

So here are the rules:

Notice the Garmin, since it was a 5K

Look what came today!!

March issue of Running Times!

Technically it came yesterday, but it was so windy yesterday afternoon/evening that I didn’t go out to get the mail until this morning. Running Times is my favorite magazine (People is a close second and third would be Runner’s World). All of the columns are really interesting and I like trying to incorporate training ideas into my own training (although I usually have to tailor it to my speed/ability).

That’s a picture from last year’s race, borrowed from Nicki. I actually met her through her running blog and we ran together for close to a year before she moved to Texas. I met my current running buddy through her, as they were already running together when I joined the party. We ran about half of the race together last year. Don’t mind my frizzy out of control hair and my inability to not look like an alien while having my picture taken.