Life's little adventures, accompanied by a running watch

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Dressing for Success

What to wear for Stonecat 50?  Hmmm…. Based on the weather forecast, I’m thinking I might settle on this get-up:

No?

Well, if you’re in New England and caught up in the Hurricane Sandy hype, you know why.  The storm is supposed to blow in dangerously close to the New England coastline prior to race day – phew!  However, if it’s the rainmaker it’s supposed to be, the 50 miles of trails I’m slated to run will be a little muddy.  OK, a lot muddy.  Stonecat is notorious for at least one good sized water crossing.  There’s no way around it; you just slog through it.  Some wear plastic bags over their shoes, but most just run through it and hope for the best. 

I’m like everyone else in that I check the weather prior to any race.  I try to avoid getting stressed out about it, but use it more to be as prepared as possible for whatever conditions I get that day.  I’d prefer a bright, cool-ish day of course.  You know, the kind where you start out in layers and slowly lose the layers as the race goes on.  50 miles is a brand spankin’ new distance for me, so I imagine there may be lots of layering, stripping, re-layering, stripping again. Rinse, repeat.

Since I can’t control Monster (oops, of course I meant Mother) Nature, I’ll choose to control how I pack and how I mentally manage a potentially 12 hour day of running.  I’ll be prepared for sun, rain, wind, snow, and even locusts.  I’ve trained too well to be distracted by a hurricane.  I am woman-runner, hear me roar!
 

9 days....SHRIEEEEK!!!!



12 comments:

  1. The idea of 50 miles is just wild to me. But doing it in the rain and misery? 13.1 was plenty enough for that. You are a much better woman than I. Hopefully, the hurricane will be all gone away by then and you'll have clear skies and favorable winds. Oh wait. That's sailing. Well, you know what i mean. Good luck!!

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    1. Thanks! Who knows, there may indeed be sailing if it rains for the next week. 50 miles is still wild to me!!

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  2. 50 miles is so scary but I know you can do it! I am catching so much grief over Hurricane Sandy, due to my name! I hope the weather turns out to be perfect for you. I hate waiting around for the final verdict on the weather. It stresses me out :(

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    1. Thanks Sandy! I bet you're taking a lot of ribbing right now for sure :)

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  3. Ah- I hope the trails are okay for running. You sound really prepared for this, and I am sure you will be fine!

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    1. THanks Elizabeth! I do feel ready and very excited!!

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  4. Oh boy....just adding more element of adventure!
    The forecast for Saturday (my race) is also now calling for quite a lot of rain. You think I could run in rain boots?

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    1. Hey, anything goes when the weather turns nasty! I figure after awhile, the rain and sweat just mix together and who cares anymore :)

      Have fun no matter what!!

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  5. OMG, I hope it dries up for you! So glad you and Scott (The Man) have each other.

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  6. my fingers are crossed for you! i hope it isn't too muddy!

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    1. Thanks Kristy! Bringing extra socks and shoes...just in case :)

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  7. Hopefully, there will be some rocks nearby so you can scrape the heavy mud off of your shoes. Can't wait to hear about your 50 mile adventure!

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