I need happy words

[emjacobs]

My first half is Sunday (Nike Womens DC) with @vtcupcake and gt7301b.  I'm slow (like 15-16 min miles) and my knee has been bothering me lately.  I *know* I can do this in the 4 hour requirement but I got nervous reading the "hard time requirements" for each mile and now I'm doubting myself.  I know its stupid, and after a decade+ of showing horses competitively I should know better than to let my mind get the better of me but its happening. 

SO. Tell me your slow stories. Tell me that the stragglers van won't pick me up. I need some happiness. 

[gt7301b]

Hugs emjacobs you'll do just fine!!!! Even 15-16 min miles should give you plenty of time to finish. Magical things happen on race day and you'll cross that finish line well before the cutoff.

[Deleted]

You can totally do this, race day is exciting, energizing, and you're ready. We all believe in you!

[starburst]

You got this!

[Mushe]

You'll do great! Race day adrenaline is real, and pushes you along.

[sassystace]

All that race day adrenaline, the pretty sights, and cheering fans should really help you keep moving. Don't worry and do your best! I didn't get past the lottery for this race so you need to make the most of your race and get that bling! You can dooo it!

[ktzmoh]

Good luck!!! The nike races are fun- I bet you'll surprise yourself and rock it!

[violetbaudelaire]

Awwwww. You can do it. I've been there. I'm there now!! I'm running Sunday too. With my walk/run method that's what I'm averaging too, and I'm also nervous about the cut off. First of all, math helps.

15 min mile = 4 miles an hour. That's 3:15 for 13 miles. So you have like 45 min of wiggle room. Which is a ton!! I'm banking on the extra time.

Second of all, don't start out doubting yourself. Know you can do it and be happy!! Bad and doubtful moods have really messed up my long runs.

And third, the course should be beautiful and gorgeous and exciting! I bet you'll be so distracted by race day and the course you will arrive at the finish before you know it!

You're not alone and I bet you'll do great

[libbygrl109]

You absolutely can do it. I had the same doubts for a 15k I did a few months ago. I was so afraid that was going to be so slow and they'd have to drag me off the course. But like everyone said, something magical happened - adrenaline or maybe the desire to not get picked up allowed me to finish way before the cutoff and even before the reach goal I had set for myself.

Go out tomorrow and enjoy the run around DC and be sure to show off that Tiffany necklace after!

[mcc]

You will rock it with magical unicorn race dust!

[water*drop]

You can do it!

[biomaj5]

Race day adrenaline is real! You'll do just fine!

[bostonmichelle]

You can do this! I felt this way before my 4 mile and 5 mile races. Then I realized that it is just a 3 mile race plus one mile, then a 4 mile race plus one mile. You can do it. Start out slow and steady and remember the turtle alwys wins the race.

[mrsjthompson]

My pace is similar to yours. I finished my first half marathon last fall, started in the last corral and beat the 16 minute/mile sweeper. I know it's scary. You got this.

[kams]

Just keep moving forward. And look up! This is fun, and the sights are beautiful, and you are a part of it all!

[cinco]

You've got this! Have fun!

[G22]

You totally can do this girl! I bet the race atmosphere will lift your spirits when your hurting and feeling slower.

[clseale]

You'll be fine!! It's normal to be intimidated going into a race, but you're going to have a great day!

[emuni04]

You have got this, no problem! Good luck and HAVE FUN!

[emjacobs]

You ladies are great! I went and took a long bath and pampered myself and I'm feeling much better. Thanks so much for this.

[thom]

Good luck with your race!! I think doing it with some great gals (whether or not you actually run together) is awesome too. You'll have people to chat with about your nerves pre-race & celebrate after. You've got this. Have fun.

[ohgillian]

You've totally got this, and I find your post actually really inspiring because i'm around that pace and want to do a half someday. I have heard AWESOME things about the Nike series. Go out there and rock it! Can't wait to read your glowy post-race update tomorrow.

[gncorman]

Good luck tomorrow!! You can do this race and will feel so proud of yourself when you are done! I am a similar pace. I had a 10K a couple weeks ago and I seriously was prepared to have to do the detour because of my time. I ran past the detour, no one there, and finished well before the cut off time. Agreed... race day can bring a different feeling to your runs. Go out there and conquer this half!!

[Deleted]

You will never know if you don't give it a shot. Doing the maths on this, you have tons of time and hey, if the stragglers van picks you up, don't worry, it's not like they shoot you.

Plus, people at the back get the most support. Enjoy it.

[Raggedeannie]

The weather is amaaaazing out there this morning. Go get that necklace and hug a firefighter, emjacobs, @vtcupcake and gt7301b! I'll be thinking of you on my 12 mile training run