It is less than a week to go until my second 50 Miler, the Superior 50 Mile Fall Trail Race, and I have been doing the usual pre-race “should have, could have” conversations with myself. It’s a familiar pattern where I look back on the past few months of “training” and think about how much more I should have done to prepare for this race. I look at the elevation chart for Superior, and think that with 3800m of climbing (and as much descending) I probably should have hit some of our little Southern Ontario hills a little more often. I feel like I should have done more long runs, and back to back runs. More, more, more.
Squeezing in runs, daytime and darktime!
As I was discussing/lamenting/whining about this with a friend last night, she said “but do you think you could have done anything differently…?” That made me think, I am always considering a lot of hindsight training “should” scenarios, but those rarely reflect the reality of what my life is. My life isn’t running, though that is a part of it. My life is parenting my 2 amazing kids. My life is taking care of (used very loosely) my house. My life is taking care of me. My life is work, family, friends, along with running and cycling. If I spent my days on the couch watching TV or playing video games rather than doing a long run, the concerns of not doing enough would be justified. Instead I am playing with my kids at the beach, at the park, or in the woods, and there’s not a chance in hell I would trade that for any run, anywhere.
I’d rather be hanging out with these 2, than training anytime!
So, my friend was right. I have done just enough. I have trained when I had time, and lived my life all the time. I can’t regret that. I can’t wish I had done more. I can only take what I have done to prepare for this tough race and make the most of it. I want to finish (goal 1) knowing that I pushed (goal 4), with a smile on my face (goal 2), and a little energy for a post-race celebration with family and friends (goal 3)… because that’s what its about for me. It will come – the start line, the finish line and everything else in my life.
runbikerace 
Don’t look back and worry. The training is all done now. Look forward and mentally prepare for a great race
Looking forward to you just being here and really want to see Goal 2 you smiling at the end of it!!!
You have a very wise friend! She’s completely right. And if it makes you feel any better, GUARANTEED my house/yard is in much worse shape than yours. 😉
Well Kent, it’s over and you met/surpassed all four goals! Great job!! So proud of you!
I just went back and re-read this.. Yes, you do have a wise friend 😉 and you can look back with no regrets because you pushed, you crushed it, smiled, and celebrated. You did your best, and your best was amazing!