pre-race jitters

i guess it doesn’t matter how many times you’ve done this (i’m not a seasoned ultra runner anyway); if you’ve just finished reading a book titled the complete neurotic: the anxious person’s guide to life, it is somewhat likely you’ll experience the jitters before a race. well, at least i do… (the book is a must read, by the way, whether you’re a self-admitted neurotic or not).

upon waking up this morning (4:23am) i began to think about my race tomorrow. naturally, i decided to start packing, which, obviously, raised the anxiety level a few points. from ‘what socks do i wear?’, to ‘how many servings of cytomax do i bring?’, i quickly fill my duffel, but eventually remember my carpooling arrangements are up in the air at this point. a situation that will be resolved later today, (even if it means driving alone — neurosis alert!), but that nonetheless graces the neurotic with a few extra grays.

the race course is simple, and that looks good right now. a 16.2-mile out-and-back, back to the start (drop bag), followed by another 15-mile out-and-back. i like the split: it’s not a 31.2 race, it’s two medium-distance training runs. right? one race or two training runs, i am as excited as ever before a race. my guess is even veteran ultra runners experience this… but heck, why do i know?

‘wait!!!! did i pack my shoes?!?!?!?!?’