Uwharrie Mountain Run... Not For Me
It's time to come clean. I am dropping out of this Saturday's 20-mile Uwharrie Mountain Run. There was a chance the race was going to be cancelled due to inclement weather and I hoped this might help me save face, but no such luck. An e-mail from the race director came through last night with the subject line "THE RACE IS ON!!"
Here are my reasons for backing out:
- We already have snow accumulation on the ground. As I type this, more snow and freezing rain is falling. Uwharrie is a treacherous run during dry conditions. Running downhill on loose gravel covered in ice scares me.
- I'm not ready. I have done minimal trail running and no hill work.
- I need an attitude adjustment. Running the mountain requires a big dose of "bring it!" attitude which is missing from my mental make-up.
- I want a friend. It's more fun to suffer and struggle through one of these things when you have a partner to push you.
I'm disappointed in myself. Sitting out the race because of the weather is probably the smart call, but I know that I lucked out with that excuse. I would have run it if the weather had been clear, but I know I'm not ready and I'm just as happy to have an excuse to bail.
What I'm looking at for Saturday instead is a 20-mile run on the treadmill. I'm hoping I can get to Greensboro to run with the group but we'll see what Mother Nature holds in store for us.
Meanwhile, it's absolutely stunning outside. A fresh inch of snow on the trees and rooftops and big, fat, flakes continue to fall.
I haven't given up. Next year, Uwharrie, be warned.
I'm comin' for ya.
Friday, February 5, 2010 at 6:59 AM | Dena Harris | 6 Comments | Email Article | Share via Digg | Print Article | tagged Boston marathon training, Furman training, Uwharrie Mountain run, training for Boston, uwharrie 20-miler, uwharrie mountain race in Running 
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Reader Comments (6)
You are the first person to make me smile today. I have also wimped out of the 20 mile race too. I was hoping they would cancel because then I would have a valid excuse and now I feel like a wimp. After managing to get an entry after trying for 4 years I'm disappointed with myself as I didn't train for it, and was just hoping my training for last Octobers trail race would help me to finish it. I kept telling myself to treat it as a nice hike, as they give you 8 hours, but with it being so cold I will freeze running slowly:) You at least did alot more training than I did. Hope we both manage to get an entry next year and that the weather is much nicer.
Hi Rosemary,
I feel the same way! I was locked out of last year's race and so sat in front of my laptop and started registration the second the race opened this year. It is difficult to get in, which had me down. But if we both get in next year, perhaps we'll find each other and have someone to run the race with. =)
If it's any consolation, I'm glad you aren't doing it because now I won't have to worry about you getting hurt or frostbitten tomorrow. Besides, you have to save your stuff for Boston!
is that a flash of humanity, a chink in the armor i see? please GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK. tomorrow's world will need to be conquered too.
see you soon.
No flash! No chink! I'm still totally in control. Yup. ;)
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