Friday, April 15, 2011

Dismal Swamp Stomp Preview ...

Tomorrow is my "A" half marathon for 2011 - Dismal Swamp Stomp. I have been looking forward to this race for two years (for some reason I couldn't run it last year). The course is a notoriously fast and flat out and back. This chart is deceptive. There all of that bright yellow is 0% incline.

Everyone I know who has ever run it has told me it's a PR course. And I want my 1:55. The thing is, I KNOW I can run a 1:55. But, I THINK I can run much faster. I've just been too afraid to admit it. So, yesterday, I asked around (via Twitter, Facebook, text), if I should play it safe and get my 1:55 or if I should run the race I think I am capable of and pray I don't bonk.

The overwhelming consensus was - RUN THE PACE YOU THINK YOU CAN RUN.

So, that's what I am going to do. And hopefully, if something goes awry, I can hold on to that 1:55. With that said, here are my goals for Saturday.

A: Sub-1:50, more specifically 1:48:00 (perfect day, perfect race, perfect everything)
B: 1:54:59 or better
C: A new PR - 1:57:05 or better.

I'm excited and ready. And thanks to everyone who helped me pick out an outfit, I will also be dressed. In this ...

13.1 here I come!
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47 comments:

  1. BethApril 15, 2011 at 6:59 AM

    Awesome. Definitely go for it!! Good luck!

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  2. JenApril 15, 2011 at 7:05 AM

    Love the goal. Love the outfit (I have that shirt too) and cannot wait to hear how everything goes.

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  3. AnneApril 15, 2011 at 7:07 AM

    Good Luck! You are strong...I know you'll do great!

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  4. Rene'April 15, 2011 at 7:08 AM

    I know you can do a 1:48. No problem. and I love the outfit you picked! my colors!

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  5. ErinApril 15, 2011 at 7:12 AM

    Good Luck! You are totally inspirational, I know you are prepared to PR!

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  6. MCM MamaApril 15, 2011 at 7:18 AM

    Good luck tomorrow! I know you are absolutely going to blow away your PR. Can't wait to hear by how much!!!

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  7. KarenApril 15, 2011 at 7:21 AM

    Good luck...I know you will totally rock it. Love the outfit. The shirt is perfect!

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  8. Running RicigApril 15, 2011 at 8:14 AM

    That course sounds AWESOME! Good luck! You'll be fantastic (and sweet out fit!)

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  9. BeachgirlrunningApril 15, 2011 at 8:17 AM

    Have a great time! Sending good running vibes your way for that PR! Love that shirt!

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  10. ElizabethApril 15, 2011 at 8:23 AM

    love the outfit and the goals! I say go for it. I need to be better about an A, B, C plan. Thanks for the tip :)

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  11. UnknownApril 15, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    You're gonna be awesome! And I love the outfit you chose :)

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  12. RachelApril 15, 2011 at 8:39 AM

    Rock it girl!! LOVE the purple!

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  13. KortniApril 15, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    I'd say good luck, but you don't need it! Love the shirt and can't wait to hear by how much you crush this race!

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  14. Silly Girl RunningApril 15, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    1:48 and looking amazing and all smiles for 13.1 miles! And I'm never wrong! ;)

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  15. AllisonApril 15, 2011 at 9:19 AM

    Good luck! It sounds like everything is in place for an amazing race.

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  16. PennyApril 15, 2011 at 9:30 AM

    GOOD Luck. I love your outfit.

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  17. HannahApril 15, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    Your outfit is adorable, and I think that you will do very well in your half! Good luck, and I look forward to hearing the updates on Facebook! Sending giant perfect run vibes your way! Enjoy!

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  18. AnonymousApril 15, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    Ah, nice goals. It's time to let your inner star shine! Good luck!

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  19. Kurt @ Becoming An IronmanApril 15, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    I quite agree with their advice - run the race you're capable of!

    I have no doubt, even if you hit a bump in the road you can still pull off sub-1:55.

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  20. kimertApril 15, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    LOVE the shirt!!! I am wearing the same one tomorrow for a little race (5k) because it's suppose to rain. HA! GOod luck!!!!

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  21. Carin@MRDApril 15, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    Good luck!

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  22. ashley rebekahApril 15, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    purple is a power color. go for it, mama!

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  23. UnknownApril 15, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    Good Luck!! and I'm loving the purple outfit. I'm running a half marathon on Sunday and my outfit is purple as well but little lighter. Have a great day!!

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  24. Jess's Journey to the Land Of SkinnyApril 15, 2011 at 10:28 AM

    You are going to ROCK THE RACE!! Go Big or Go Home. That PR is YOURS! There are some words of encouragement. I know you are going to do great and have a great time!
    Super cute outfit by the way.

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  25. JuliaApril 15, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    ahhhhh!!! definitely go for it!!! and LOVE the outfit!!

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  26. Runners FuelApril 15, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    Good luck!! I know you will PR!

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  27. Mel -Tall Mom on the RunApril 15, 2011 at 11:20 AM

    What a FUN outfit.. PR outfit for sure. Run your race. You are in the best shape you have ever been in 13.1 is your distance to shine.. Got get it!! And text me when you are done, I want to know the details when I hit Saint Lois..

    Go T!! BELIEVE!!!!

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  28. Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerApril 15, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    Love the purple and yellow!!!

    Oh please, you have that A Goal already! You just need to go get the medal now. It's got nothing to do with boasting. Your training is spot on. Your attitude is perfect. It's a comfortable distance. It is going to be a great running day.

    Go make us all jealous!

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  29. AnonymousApril 15, 2011 at 11:28 AM

    you're totally gunna kill it. I don't doubt for a second you can't pull out the A goal

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  30. KarenApril 15, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    Of COURSE you can do it! Go for it and know you are goona rock it out :)

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  31. MarleneApril 15, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    Way to put the goals out there. I see a sub-1:50!

    That is an awesome shirt!!!

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  32. KatieApril 15, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    I think you've got a sub-1:50 in the tank. Get it, girl!

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  33. Running GirlApril 15, 2011 at 1:04 PM

    Go for it! You're awesome. Love the outfit!

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  34. Pam @ herbieontherun.comApril 15, 2011 at 1:25 PM

    I'm gonna be trying to channel my inner TOE-KNEE-AH (seriously had no idea your name had three syllables until Jen's post lol) tomorrow in my half as well.

    GOOD LUCK!

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  35. AnonymousApril 15, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    Good luck tomorrow! I randomly found your blog a couple of days ago while searching for the Dismal Swamp Half's FB page and have been in love ever since. You are an amazing encouragement and motivator. It is so awesome to hear from another mom who runs and enjoys working out as maybe only one of my mommy friends is as in to it as I am. I am runnng my first half tomorrow. Hoping it goes well. Anyways, enjoy and go for that PR!

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  36. Rose @ Eat, Drink, and Be MeiriApril 15, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    I love those socks!!!

    Have fun tomorrow!

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  37. UnknownApril 15, 2011 at 3:02 PM

    Gulp, 1:48:00! For real, wow! Okay, set the bar high, you can do it.

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  38. AnonymousApril 15, 2011 at 3:24 PM

    You have the CUTEST outfits. Makes me want to go (running clothes) shopping.

    I think you can do 1:48. And I think you can hit 1:48 because I think I can hit 1:48, on a day with cool weather and a flat course. And I compare you to me only because our recent times are similar. SO... go out there, rock your socks off, and hit that 1:48. Looking forward to an update!

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  39. ajhApril 15, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    Love the shirt! I have almost ordered it. Now I want to as it strikes me again how much I like it. I certainly run in anything.

    Enough about me! Run that fast pace. Can't wait to hear how you kill it.

    And I also can't wait to hear about D's 5K!

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  40. Running LibrarianApril 15, 2011 at 8:22 PM

    Good luck on your goals! Sounds like you are all ready for a great run :)

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  41. Courtney @ I CAN DO THISApril 15, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    That looks like a PR outfit to me! Hope you have an awesome race. You will be amazing!

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  42. AnonymousApril 15, 2011 at 9:38 PM

    Ooooo loving the shirt! Outfit definitely looks like PR material. Good luck this weekend! I'll be cheering you on from Chicago :)

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  43. AnonymousApril 16, 2011 at 12:18 AM

    I'm a little late on commenting (44th person), but I believe I heard it best from someone: the point of a race is to get to the finish as fast as possible.

    I suggest the go for broke Prefontaine/Salazar strategy: they'd rather lose giving everything they had than win being too conservative.

    If you're training can let you run a 1:44, then go for it. The worse that can happen is you end up running 1:55 because the last mile killed you. But either way, you win.

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  44. amyApril 16, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    At the half or shorter, I would definitely say go for it. Cant wait to hear the results!

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  45. BigHappyFamilyApril 16, 2011 at 11:37 AM

    Good Luck. You'll nail the PR< and look good doing it, no doubt. Did you finish before the rain?

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  46. CarlyApril 16, 2011 at 12:03 PM

    Love the outfit! Good luck!

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  47. N.D.April 16, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    hope it went well!!

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