Is this normal?

[laughinplace199]

DH & I are planning to run a half marathon next month, and then the full marathon at WDW in January. I've been running since January and I think it's going pretty well, but now that it's getting closer, I'm scared!

There are some days where I'm out for a run and I feel great and confident and I think to myself, "I can run these races I've signed up for." It's an exciting feeling.

Then there are other days where I'm out for a run and I start to think that I was absolutely crazy for thinking I could run those races. I start to worry that I'll never finish and it will be a total disaster.

Is it normal to have these conflicting feelings? I'm hoping it's just some pre-race anxiety. I've never run a race before, not even a 5K, so I'm totally in the dark here. Although DH has run many races and I don't think he'd let me get in over my head. Help!

 

[bunnyfoo]

I'm the same way Julie - I think there are just good and bad days. My bad days usually have to do with how rested I am and how hydrated I am. Or sometimes I just don't feel like running but I push myself to go anyway ... on those days mind is usally somewhere else. For the times I really feel I can't make it, I'll take a quick walking break and that usually gives me a boost of energy. Generally, I just try to stay positive - I think of all the progress I've made so far or I think about myself crossing the finish line at the race

 

[dsnyfan21]

Julie, I thinks it is normal to have some anxiety before doing a race. I did the first few that I did. But remember that you are putting in the miles and so you CAN do it. Most of a race is a mental thing, not a physical thing on that day. Once you get there and are around all the other people the adrenaline will kick in.
I know you're a bit nervous, but just use that to your advantage for your runs/workouts. Focus that nervous energy into a positive.

You can do these things!! YOU CAN!!!

 

[jbucci]

I'm right there with you. I just started this past Jan and have been working my way up in miles very slowly. My DH started with me and seems to be progressing faster than me which is a little frustrating at times. I keep reminding myself how much better I am now than I was a mere 9 months ago when I could barely run 1 mile. We've signed up for the full marathon in Jan and I too am more than a little but I figure the training will pay off and there is no crime in taking a walk break (or 2 or 3) if I need it.

 

[scoolover]

I think that you are absolutely normal. I was very anxious before my first 5K, first 10K, first half, etc... I am not sure what it is but lately, I am anxious about my long training runs even though I have done the distance many times. Not sure what it is but I do know that one minute into the race all butterflies will be gone and you can enjoy it.

If you can find a local 5K before the half, it could help you just to know what these races are all about. Of course telling people that your first race was a half will be cool too! Actually there is not a lot to know so get there early and enjoy the experience. You only have one first race.

 

[getnthinr]

I agree with Scott -- although I've done the distance many times, I am always nervous before my marathons -- literally right up to the time spent waiting in my starting corral. In some ways, I think that's good -- not to take anything for granted -- but don't let it stop you from getting out there. I always feel better once we all start moving toward the finish line. Pretty soon I'm having a blast and am so caught up in the moment, I don't feel any nervousness.

So, yes, I'd say you are absolutely normal. In a way, that's why we have the WISH team, to remind us that we CAN do this and that every day in training we ARE doing it.

Have fun on race day!

 

[wtpclc]

Absolutely normal!!!!! That worry will turn to adrenaline adn will help you get through!

 

[laughinplace199]

Thanks for the reassurances, everyone! I feel much better now.

 

[laxdef69]

Completely normal.

imho if every workout was wonderful, you aren't working hard enough.

I keep reminding myself when I want to skip/stop a workout that I am RIGHT at the point where growth happens...

Works for me, but I have been told I am a little bit skewed so take that for what its worth.

Mike

 

[Kristi1357]

Another person who has felt exactly the same way! I remember before my first race, crying many times while on the TM, thinking I would never make it.

In fact, I am starting to feel those feelings again since I let my fitness slip so much this year. I think these feelings are good though - they force us to properly train. I got too comfy in my 'yeah, I can do a half, no sweat' thinking. Then I let my training slip away to nothing. Because of this, I barely made it 5 miles on Monday.

 

[TnTsParty]

I think its completely normal. I have only been running since June of last year and have to sign up for races as my motivation to continue (even though deep down I really really WANT to be a runner. ) I feel nervous before all of them (except I was surprisingly calm prior to the Minnie 15k - kind of a been there done that sort of thing even though I hadn't done a 15k before) I was VERY nervous before the TOT 13k last year because I had never done a Disney race before. I am a little nervous about the EEC because I dont' know what to expect on the obstacle course and the scavenger hunt and that it will be my DH's first race and I am sure he will be better than me in the 5k with no training ) I even tend to get nervous before local 5k races although with those I don't tend to be nervous until I wake up that morning and feel sick to my stomach

 

[disneyrunningnut]

I have run over 9000 miles in the last 4 years. I am nervous before EVERY race. Racing and running are totaly different animals. When you toe the line you know you are about the receive your report card on your training.

David

 

[JustSmile]

Julie....I feel this way too before a race, but it does seem that once you get moving you just get caught up in the moment. You can do this!

 

[deekaypee]

Aw, come on, you know you're normal--at least in this respect! (I thought I was going to throw up before my first race, which was also a 1/2. And that was weeks before the race itself!)

I loved Scott's advice about the 5K, and would second that. It'll give you a little bit of an idea of what the race environment is like. But if you can't work one into your schedule, don't worry. I just know you'll do fine!

 

[laughinplace199]

Thank you so much, everybody! I really feel a lot better. It's so nice to have experts to consult in these matters.

 

[Cruella de mom]

This will seem completely normal compared to the insanity while you taper!

 

[3DisneyKids]

Thank you SO much for this thread. It is so timely for me. My first half is on Sunday and I am DYING I am so nervous. I couldn't sleep last night. Here is what was going on in my head....

I signed up for this half b/c it is an all women's field and it allows walkers. I am a back of the pack runner, so it is nice to know that there are walkers back there and if I need to take a walk break, that is ok. Safety and all that. Well, I found out the other day that the walkers start half an hour before the runners.

So I am doing like the 7th grade math word problem from hell...

If Walker A leaves the starting line at 8:30 traveling at 15 minutes per mile, and Runner B leaves the starting line at 9:00 traveling at 11:00 minutes per mile, at what point will Runner B intersect with Walker A???

Now this may sound hilarious, but let me tell ya', I am scared to freaking death of this race. I am also signed up for the Disney half, but have no fear of that race. Lots of WISHers and friends, etc. And way more people. Again, safety in numbers.

I have run 2 5ks so far (at a 10-ish pace), and I have followed my training plan, having missed only 2 runs in 6 months. But my training never went all the way up to the full 13.1. The farthest I have run is like 11.4-ish (and I took a couple of walking breaks to get there), so again...I am just a bundle of nerves and fear.

I am so glad that so many of you get this way too. It really helps knowing that.

 

[jeanneg]

I know exactly how you're feeling, Julie. Last year I did my very first marathon and was totally spooked. Like you, I began training in January (after watching my daughter run her first marathon) and I had never, ever done any sort of competive race prior. I think a little fear is good for you. It will keep the adrenalin flowing and that will increase your endurance. You've done the training....now consider the actual event to be your reward and go out there and ENJOY every moment. If you think of it with that attitude, it can really turn the whole thing into something that is more pleasurable than dreaded.
Besides, you're on TEAM OHANA.......we can do anything!

 

[laughinplace199]

I know exactly how you're feeling, Julie. Last year I did my very first marathon and was totally spooked. Like you, I began training in January (after watching my daughter run her first marathon) and I had never, ever done any sort of competive race prior. I think a little fear is good for you. It will keep the adrenalin flowing and that will increase your endurance. You've done the training....now consider the actual event to be your reward and go out there and ENJOY every moment. If you think of it with that attitude, it can really turn the whole thing into something that is more pleasurable than dreaded.
Besides, you're on TEAM OHANA.......we can do anything!

Thanks for your words of wisdom, Jeanne. It's reassuring to hear from others who've been there / done that. Plus, I'll believe anything my fearless leader says...

 

[Duanerice]

You will be amazed at how well you perform. I am not a speedster my any stretch of the imagination. But, when I get into a race I am usually 1 minute or more faster than my normal running time. The adrenaline alone will get you thought the last miles.

Go get em!

enjoy,
Duane