This weekend, I’m running the 2019 Brooklyn Half. It’s my first race since I became a dad and I think I’m excited? But even though this will be my fourth time on the course, I have no idea what to expect.
I like to overanalyze everything, and this race is no exception, especially since a few things have changed since this time last year. Here are some of the reoccurring themes that have been running through my head since I signed up for the 2019 Brooklyn Half.
How Will I Respond to Running With Other Adults?
Thanks to my employer’s generous paternity leave policy, I’ve been home with our baby since the end of April. We’ve gotten to know each other pretty well over the last few weeks. His favorite things include sleeping on my chest, going for long walks in the stroller, and screaming at me whenever I look at Instagram.
That also means for the first time in a couple of years, I’ve mostly been running solo. Since my paternity leave began, Jess has been really great about helping me find time to run. When I’m out, I think about how funny our little guy is. When I’m not thinking about the little guy or our growing family, I’m very aware of the fact that I’m by myself.
I’d be lying if I said this never bummed me out. Two years ago, I joined a local running club out of sheer curiosity and found out that I really like running with other people. But there are also days when I’m glad nobody else is around. “Chili for a third day in a row was a bad idea,” I think to myself. “But at least my friends won’t see the aftermath!”
So I’m really curious and unsure of how I’ll respond to a race environment again. Maybe it’ll motivate me to run a personal best. Or maybe I’ll get totally overwhelmed that morning, hide in a porta potty, and ask Jess to send someone to pick me up before the race even begins.
Which Shoes Should I Wear?
I might be doomed to wear clunky stability shoes forever, but I still have a few options.
In one corner, there’s my trusted Brooks Adrenalines. I ran both of my marathons in different versions of the Adrenaline and I know what to expect. They’re not fast, but they’re comfortable enough and only kind of make me look like I’m 85 years old.
In the other corner are my Saucony Guides. They’re also not fast, but they’re slightly lighter and make me feel a bit quicker. If I run a personal best, I’ll probably be glad I chose whichever shoe I ran in. If I don’t, I will 100% blame it on the shoe. That’s how running works, right?
What’s My Fitness Right Now?
I started working with a running coach after the 2018 NYC Marathon. He emails me a plan at the beginning of the week and I respond (usually) by letting him know how the previous week went. Fancy, right?
On more occasions than I’d like to admit, I’ve emailed him to say that I ate too much cheese dip the night before my tempo workout and almost threw up. But there have also been a few times when I’ve surprised myself. My inconsistent training, combined with an unpredictable sleep schedule, has me wondering what kind of shape I’m in for the 2019 Brooklyn Half.
Some days I’m convinced I can run fast. On others, I wonder if I can even finish a half marathon without walking anymore. But at the risk of going off brand, I don’t really care which one turns out to be true. Even if it takes me 10 hours to finish the race, I’ll text everyone I know the next day to say, “I RAN A HALF MARATHON YESTERDAY AND YOU DIDN’T.”
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