The Itch
| July 11, 2012 | Posted by Emily under Uncategorized |
I’ve got a bad itch and I can’t find a way to scratch it.
It’s been almost a month since I saw either side of a start line and I’m going a little crazy with race desire. I did the math on my 2 mile walk to work this morning (I tell you the distance because that’s about how long it takes for me to perform simple mental arithmetic), and the last time I went this long without hearing “on your mark, get set, go!” was between my run/walk 10k in January while I was still recovering from my broken foot and an easy 5k I ran in February.
In other words, this is inexcusable.
Unfortunately, summertime in DC is not exactly the peak season for race searching in the region. It may or may not have something to do with the fact that days like this are more common than sidewalk-hogging tourists.
The only marathon distance event in the area this weekend is an indoor marathon in Virginia. 211 laps around an indoor track sounds like the least exciting marathon ever, and also the most ego-crushing marathon in existence as the men chasing the indoor world record would lap me approximately 111 times over the course of the race. Getting lapped by the boys in the 3,000m in high school track was bad enough, and that only happened once per event. Add another 100+ run-bys and I might be announcing my retirement from the sport by the end of the 26.2 miles.
But, my desperation for an endurance race is bad enough that you might just find me at the start line on Saturday morning.
I might be able to quiet my insane need for a few hours of competition if I had something to look forward to in the next week or three. But I really don’t. The only thing on my immediate race calendar is the possibility of a 5k in Vermont next weekend.
My mom thinks I can win it and take home some sweet prize money based on results from previous years. I have my doubts since I’ll be home for the weekend trying to win another event.
After missing the party last year to train for some silly race, I am ready to reclaim my title as Brew Fest Champion. Along with my trusty sidekicks, we’ve consistently outperformed the craft brew competition every year since we started attending the fest together.
And if a choice needs to be made between 5ks and craft brew, well, I think we all know which one is going to win that battle.
Marathon+ distances: another story. But 5ks? Pour me another pint.
Moral of the story: my empty race calendar is quickly driving me crazy. If something doesn’t get added to it soon, I’ll probably be arrested for breaking into some poor race director’s home and trying to steal his timing system and start gun.
In more exciting news, check this out.
I’m upset they left Kim Conley, and my favorite finish line photo ever off the list, but it’s still an adorable collection of London bound Olympians.
I mean, RIGHT?! You go, Kim.
When I get the itch I can’t scratch I just…I mean, wait…that’s for another blog.
If I can’t find a race, I’ve been lucky enough to find a local running group to run with. It’s not quite the same as a race, but gets you in with the local running community which still provides plenty of warm fuzzies of the G-rated sort.
You can come back over to the dark side and do some tris :)
HA. that sounds worse than an indoor marathon! maybe if I’d ridden my bike since last September, but…nope.
What about Rockville Twilight 8k? It’s the 21st, and is usually a really good race! Check it out!
I’ll be in Vermont that day, otherwise I would!
I have the same problem. I am even considering doing a 5K next weekend, which I haven’t done since 2009. I like to stick to the longer distance due to my non-speed but when you are desperate… Hope you find something soon:).
I LOVE this picture of Kim Conley! It is the reaction you wish more people had when accomplishing something this great.
I’ve been training for brewfest with frequent trips downtown. I’m so excited for it! I haven’t done any races since VCM, but I’m doing the Stowe 8 miler this weekend, which I’ve never done before.
You can’t do an indoor marathon. You can’t do 211 laps of a track. That would be the most horrific day’s work ever!!! You’d go crazy. I would go crazy, anyway!!!
Have a beer instead :)
Same story here about no races during the summer thing. I really want to run a good short distance, but there’s none unless I go down to New Orleans.
There’s a trail ultra this Saturday not far from Toronto…I did it last year and did not have to hurdle a single snake. Very challenging and beautiful course.
211 LAPS INDOORS?! Girl, you must be crazy. I sure hope you find another race to do because that just sounds absolutely painful.
If anyone could rock 211 laps indoors, I’m sure you could! I’d love to read that race recap. :)
I’m not taking a bet that you won’t do the 5k! Or find another race during the weekend.
OMG 211 LAPS?! That sounds like my nightmare — I don’t know what would be worse, running 211 laps to complete a marathon or doing a marathon on a treadmill. The 5K sounds awesome – do you know of any 5K’s like that around the DC area where beer flows continuously after you cross the finish line? :D
the amount of effort it is taking me to not make a joke about scratching an itch is making my brain hurt. but please don’t run a billion laps of an indoor marathon.
How about the Leesburg 20 K on August 19th? It’s a gorgeous course, and great race logistics because Potomac River Running runs it…?
HI Emily, I have tried to use your contact email but not sure your gettign them. Listen I just had a quick question for you. I got a stress fracture in my tibia after a 21 mile training run. I didnt run for 6 weeks and then wore a boot for one month. I know you had some similar type of horrible boot experience. ANyhow, I just got heh boot off and I went to run one measley mile and my damn leg is still broken. ANY SUGGESTIONS????? what helped you?
thanks for your time
Hanna “www.bouffeebambini@hotmail.com”
or hanna.villarrubia@gmail.com
THANKS
I was just catching up on blog reading; sorry for my belated comment. I am thinking about doing the Isle La Motte 5k too – so you may have some competition on your hands for the prize money :)
[...] There was no race. No long run. No back to back runs, no double workouts, and no speed sessions. The only time I spent in my hokas, was for an unclocked 12 miles along the waterfront on Saturday morning. And I’m pretty sure that if the garmin didn’t see it happen, it didn’t really happen. [...]