Panic.

[Deleted]

I'm running the Pittsburgh Marathon Relay next week. We've had the 5 legs of the race decided for probably 6 months:

5.5 miles - mostly flat, a few bridges (hubs)
3.5 miles - 1 bridge, mostly flat (me)
6.? miles - almost all uphill (friend A)
6.? miles - Hilly (friend J)
4.7 miles - 4 miles of downhill, 0.7 mile climb at the end (friend S)

3.5 miles for a race is totally in my wheelhouse, no big deal. I was aiming to finish @ 35 minutes, which is a 10 min/mile pace and what I can race a 5k at right now. I've been preparing for this race with long runs up to 5 miles or so.

2 months ago, Friend S stopped running. Just stopped. She wanted a few weeks off and just never went back. Fast forward to 3 weeks before the race, and she's sick and panicking about her leg of the race. I told her we could swap if she wanted, but I wanted to know ASAP so I could make sure I could train up with another few long runs over 5 miles. She said she'd think about it.

She told me today "Oh, I didn't tell you but we're swapping." The race is next Sunday.

Now, I know I can cover the distance, but I'm underprepared to race it. I would have trained differently and up to 6 or 7 miles for a long run. I would have trained some downhill running - which sounds dumb but my body isn't used to hills. I live in flatlandia. I'm upset that she gave me 6 days notice. You all know me and how absurdly over trained I prefer to be! I want to be able to cover 1.5-2x the distance of any race before I race it. 

I'm mostly whining, and trying to calm myself down. Like I said, distance is fine, but I am not ready to race it. And I'm bummed about that. 

[Deleted]

Here's the elevation chart:

pittsburghmarathon.com/Files/Admin/2013-Documents/Relay_Elevation.pdf

I need wheely shoes.

[texassmith]

I think I might have to tell her that we are, in fact, *not* switching. I don't think she gets to call the shots and just hand you a more difficult run 1 week before the race.

Sorry you're having to deal with the stress of that!

[Deleted]

Apr 28, 2013 17:20:29 GMT -5 texassmith said:

I think I might have to tell her that we are, in fact, *not* switching. I don't think she gets to call the shots and just hand you a more difficult run 1 week before the race.

Sorry you're having to deal with the stress of that!

She's never run further than 3.1 miles her whole life - so I think if I didn't switch she'd panic and just not go. Then hubs would run both of the first 2 legs and I'd still run the 4.7! 

I can't blame her too much, but I'm disappointed.

[Susie]

I think you will be more prepared to race the distance than you expect, come race day. The adrenaline kicks in, and I bet you'll be fine. Allow yourself to be pleasantly surprised by your own ability

[Deleted]

I think you will be okay! Running downhill is definitely different but it's a blast.

[mcc]

You'll be ok, although I can understand you being worried! You're going to rock it!

[beckbech]

You'll be fine! You know you can do the distance and you'll have a ton of extra adrenaline come race day. I'm biased because I live in Pittsburgh and there is hardly anywhere flat to run, but running downhill is AWESOME. So much better than running up!

[texassmith]

Apr 28, 2013 17:34:12 GMT -5 @sessalee said:

Apr 28, 2013 17:20:29 GMT -5 texassmith said:

I think I might have to tell her that we are, in fact, *not* switching. I don't think she gets to call the shots and just hand you a more difficult run 1 week before the race.

Sorry you're having to deal with the stress of that!

She's never run further than 3.1 miles her whole life - so I think if I didn't switch she'd panic and just not go. Then hubs would run both of the first 2 legs and I'd still run the 4.7! 

I can't blame her too much, but I'm disappointed.

You can totally do it! I know you feel unprepared but you'll rock it!

[jchokie79]

You'll do great! I understand why your'e worried and I would be too only because it's an unexpected change but you've been training and running hard. You can totally do this! Your friend on the other hand is a d-bag for switching with you last minute! Good luck on Sunday and welcome to Pittsburgh!

[kams]

Take her ball and run with it! You can do it!

[Wines Not Whines]

You can do it! You'll fly down the hill!