Back in November, I registered for this Saturday’s Frosty 25K at Salem Lake in Winston-Salem. It’s close to the 17 miles Hal Higdon wants me to do. Start time is 8:00 a.m. As you might know, it’s January. On Saturday at this latitude/longitude, sunrise arrives at 7:32 a.m. Because, well, it’s winter. The forecast is dry and sunny, with temps around 30 at start time, rising to 39 by 10:00.
The data indicates that I will flake and eat the $20 plus processing fee.
Runners always say, “Listen to your body,” so that’s what I’m doing. That advice usually pertains to the actual running, but health and fitness is a 24/7 thing, not just time on feet. My personal circadian rhythm wakes me at sunrise. That works out fine since I’m self-employed and make my own schedule. Sure, I can haul my butt out of bed earlier for the occasional big race, but it always messes up my sleep schedule and leaves me feeling crappy for a couple days afterward.
I’m serious about this Umstead training, sticking pretty closely to Hal’s plan, resisting The Goad, eating my veggies and whole grains. As my favorite Chanel-clad doc always lectured me, sleep hygiene is the key to good overall physical and mental health, which translates to skipping a January race with a totally unnecessary 8 a.m. start time. I’ll happily loop the town six times instead—on my own internal schedule—and feel much better for it.
How about you? What makes you bail on a race you’ve already paid for?
New Balance Minimus HI-REZ
5 comments
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Scott Lynch
January 2, 2013 at 9:36 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I will bail on a race if I’m sick. Having made the horrible mistake of running with a sinus infection a couple years ago at Philosopher’s Way, and then suffering for weeks afterwards, I don’t play around with running while sick anymore. On the other hand, if I’m on the mend from being sick and want to make a race, I throw out all goals on race day and give myself permission to bail at any point with no guilt.
Jessica
January 2, 2013 at 10:48 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I haven’t bailed on a race yet, but I’ve quickly bailed on race plans if things go south for the day. However, I did bail in 12athon runs for sleep/health related reasons…so I think it’s a brilliant plan.
D Wells
January 3, 2013 at 2:09 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I think 8:00 starts are for the birds, too…they mess up my eating schedule though! I think races should start a a more sensible 6 a.m.!
Iris
January 3, 2013 at 1:19 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Oh man, I’d never race at all if all races began at 6 a.m. But I’m with you re the eating schedule—I need a good 2.5 breakfasts before any event, no matter what time it starts.
.:Ash:.
January 3, 2013 at 3:52 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’ve bailed on one race for which I’ve already paid: It was the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon in 2010. I signed up for it on a whim when my brother said he was running it. Then, as the race drew nearer, I realized how unappealing the thought of traveling to Florida to run a huge race in Disney Land (?) was to me. So, I bailed on that one. That’s the only time bailing has been a consideration. But, if I were really sick, I’d skip a race.