Part 3

July 12, 2024

Originally posted May 19, 2024

Oh my! Only one month until race day! It seems to have crept up very quickly. I am feeling very nervous but also excited to soon be heading out on the stunning Minotaur course with all the other racers.

I have to say that my training isn’t going quite as well as it was in my last updates. I’ve had a few challenges to overcome: feeling over-trained and needing to take some recovery time, a flared up chronic knee problem, and then I was sick with a cold for a few days. All I can do is take it all in stride and know that obstacles and setbacks are a normal part of training. It’s important to deal with whatever comes my way and then get back at it as soon as I can! I can’t worry about the things that I can’t control, so I am being confident and getting back out there!

For the next two weeks I plan to get out on as many mountain trails with steep technical terrain as I can manage. Someone I know who ran the race last year just reminded me about how technical the terrain really is. So my plan is to find some steep, rocky descents and practice running down fast. I know that I tend to think about how challenging the long ups are, but it is often the descents that can be the most troublesome for me.

This is also the time to decide what what I will carry in my pack and practice running with all of the mandatory gear that is required for the race. I’ve reviewed the Racer Guide and am deciding how much food, water and electrolyte I will carry knowing that I can pick some product up at the three aids stations but I will need to supplement this with my own nutrition.

As race day approaches, visualize yourself running the course. I am fortunate to know the course very well so this is easy for me but if you haven’t run the course before, my suggestion is to study the course profile and description. See yourself running a great race and you will!

-Susan

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