Skip to main content

Twas the Night Before Race Day...

T-minus 17 hours until my half marathon in the morning! I happen to know quite a few of you are gearing up for all sorts of races this weekend, so I thought this little poem might be appropriate for us all. For the record--this is what happens when you don't have television. Hubs and I spent a somewhat embarrassing couple of hours doing this early in the morning after my family headed off to the airport. Once again, I'm convinced I've found my true love because I can't imagine ANY other grown man spending that much time helping me rhyme. Love you, Tim!




Twas the night before race day, and all through the home
There was stretching and rolling, on rods made of foam
Compression stockings were placed on their calves with such care
In the hopes that on race day, no pain would be there.

The runners were nestled all snug in their beds
While PRs and course records danced in their heads.
Laying out was my jacket, my shoes and my cap
I’ll be cold at the start, but warmer each lap


When at the wall socket there arose such a clatter
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Off in the darkness a blue light did flash
A fully charged Garmin to record my dash

 I looked out my window and saw only snow 
Which meant running in temps far less than zero
I shivered and thought of a race all gone wrong
So I checked one more time on Weather.com


The forecast was dismal, gloomy and cold
With gusting wind of speeds untold
For a prediction of fifties, clear skies and sunny
I’d have given each cent of my hard earned money
Now, left leg, now right leg, now tight IT band!
Now bum knee, now shin splints, go away on command!
I’ve got a full race to run, and I want to BQ
If you all work together we just might squeeze through.
Counting out each mile, one split at a time
If I time it all right a PR would be mine
Pushing the pace for negative splits
But no matter my time, I won’t call it quits.
I’ll spring to my feet when the alarm starts to ring
I need way more sleep but I’d rather have bling. 
I gobble up bagels, oatmeal and Gu,
Down two cups of coffee and head to the loo. 
A speech, the anthem, a prayer for good luck
Either way by mile 20 it’s still gonna suck!
The race director exclaimed, as we started our run:
“Good luck to you all-this is supposed to be fun!”

Yes, I plan on quitting my job to become a full-time bad poetry writer. If any of you complain about my lack of verses (did you know the original has like 20?) I will never forgive you. 

Tomorrow morning I'm running the Dalton Red Carpet Half Marathon. I always say, "I just want to finish!" but let's be honest--I'm human, and I have a little ambition. Yes, finishing is my first goal. But I also have a little dream for a sub-2. In good conditions, it could happen, so that's what I'm hoping for. Weather should be clear and 49 degrees at the start, warming up to 55 at the end. Can't beat that, can you?

Rock and Roll races may have crazy headlining artists but here in our neck of the woods, we get a band that was famous 20 years ago-Sister Hazel. I'm not complaining, because my musical tastes got stuck in the 90s. So my other secret goal is to stay awake after the race until 9pm when the concert ends and the fireworks start. 
So, to recap, my goals are:
-Finish (alive)
-Finish under 2 hours (also, still alive)
-Stay awake until the concert.

Wish me luck on all three. 

When you run a race, do you set multiple goals for yourself?     
Yes, yes yes! Definitely. I usually have an easy goal, and one that is tougher but not totally out of my league.

Anyone else racing this weekend? Let me know so I can wish you luck!

Comments

  1. Ha - awesome poem.

    I always have a goal, and then a secret goal, and then a super-secret goal. But I almost always say my goal is just to finish, which is almost always a total lie. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. This. Is. AWESOME hahah ha i love it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Multiple goals??? NO. Just one. Finish. It's all about the journey right?

    Sister Hazel? Really? Odd selection on R&R. It will be fun anyways....

    xo
    Sarah
    Get Up & Go

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ok, I love your poem, such talent! And I love sister hazel! Theyre from Gainesville, my brother is obsessed with them, still. Good luck tomorrow, your gonna nail it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Such a cute poem! I loved it! Awesome that your hubs helped you too. Good luck on your race tomorrow! I usually have multiple goals like you as well because I never want to feel disappointed after a race. If you voluntarily get up early and run your butt off, you should be proud of yourself no matter what your time was!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love it.

    I have a goal I say, a goal I would like to see and a goal that I never tell anyone (not even hubby).

    Racing next weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great poem! :) And mucho luck to you tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh. My word. Great way to spend your time WITHOUT television! I hope you have so much fun tomorrow!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ha! I love the poem!

    Good luck tomorrow!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Good luck! You and the husband are hilarious. I like it.

    I usually don't set goals for myself other than "don't walk." :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. SISTER HAZEL!?! I am so jealous. Oh man I love that kind of music. Good luck at your race.

    The poem is crazy awesome. My husband always makes me sing with him and make up new words to songs on the radio. So you might not be the only one with a crazy hubs. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Have a great race! Don't forget to laugh and smile even when you're running! It always helps keep your spirits up and gives you energy ;) it's one of my secrets! love the poem- so cute!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I loved the poem. So cute!
    Good luck tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete
  14. That poem was pure AWESOMENESS! I totally loved it. As far as conditions for a race, you can't get any better than that. Push it, girl! I can't wait to hear how you do.

    No race this weekend- 12 mile run for fun :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Genius! :)

    Good luck with the race (and staying awake afterwards!)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Good luck!!! All the hard work will pay off! Enjoy the concert too :)

    I will be run/jogging a 5k race in the morning. I will not be full out racing again until November I think.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Cute! Goodluck! I'm doing a bike race for fun with the fam!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love the poem!! Very cool!! Good luck tomorrow. You can easily sub 2! The weather will be great!! Have fun and let us know how you did!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great poem, I'm very impressed! No race this weekend for me, I wanted to do a 10K trail race but I've got soccer to coach and my girls come first. I'd be super excited to hear Sister Hazel at a race, their hit "All for You" came out the year I graduated from high school and I listened to it all that summer, loved them! Good luck tomorrow, can't wait to read the recap.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love this!!!!! wishing you nothing but the best!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hee hee can't wait to read all about it! Goooooo girl! Tomorrow seems lucky to me!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Very nice poem, indeed! Perhaps you've missed your calling :)

    Have a fantastic run, lots of fun and I hope it's under 2 hours when you're done.

    That's all I got, sorry.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Don't you just have a way with the words!!!

    Good luck in your 1/2 tomorrow, I have no doubt you will do it under 2.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love your poem…very creative :) Good luck tomorrow, you'll do great!!! And, yes, I always have multiple goals!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Love the poem, that is too cute! Good luck on your race, that sub 2 is totally yours. YOU OWN SUB 2!

    PS I don't care if sister hazel was popular 20 years ago, I still like them :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love the poem!!

    Good luck on your race.

    Now I have the only Sister Hazel song I know stuck in my head.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Loved the poem! Good luck this weekend!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Awesome poem!

    I'm not running a race but a friend and fellow blogger Jaymee at JayAdores (wordpress) is running a trail half marathon on the North Shore of O'ahu this weekend.

    I will be thinking about you both as I lay in bed.

    Good luck!!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. This is AWESOME! and hilarious, but mostly awesome!

    good luck tomorrow!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. i wish i had half the creativity you do- great poem.
    You will get sub 2, you trained for this!
    Also, Chicago RnR they had Brett Michaels--- just as weird to me.

    My usual goals:
    consistent pace (i'm all over the place)
    walk less (I always walk)
    injury free
    positive thoughts
    enjoy the race

    ReplyDelete
  31. I usually have 2-4 goals, not always time oriented either. Good luck tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Loved the poem!

    You are going to rock the race - Good luck reaching your sub 2hr goal!

    Can't wait to read the recap.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Good Luck! Cute poem! I always have a few goals for sure!

    ReplyDelete
  34. LOVE the poem :) Amazing! So much good luck tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete
  35. you are a genius. that poem is unbelievable. you deserve to win the nobel prize or an oscar or a purple heart or something. amazing.

    GOOD LUCK. if your running is as good as your poetry, you're definitely gonna run a sub-2. i have no doubts about that.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Oh I love it! So fun! Good luck tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Good luck!
    Fabulous verse(s).
    That man is a keeper, I tell you!

    Yes, I always have a spoken-out-loud goal and a challenging in-my-nutty-head goal.

    :-)

    ReplyDelete
  38. 1) LOVE the poem.

    Good luck! And remember to enjoy it :). that weather sounds amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  39. That's talent! And I may or may not have starred this post to read before my half tomorrow!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. I am loving the poem. I think you should quit your day job! Good luck tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete
  41. I love sister hazel, and they actually performed at RnR Mardi gras two years ago!
    Good luck tomorrow, looks like perfect weather, enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  42. GOOD LUCK!!!! i luv the poem, and u will rock that race!! haha...now i'm so lame at the puns!

    okay, but setting multi-goals is the best way to go because u never do know wat the legs will have in store when the gun goes off. but u want to always set one of those goals as high so that when things get going and u question why in the heck u are doing this...u KNOW why, and u dig...and i KNOW u will do it. the only things is in which race, but i'm feeling like it will be this one becuz u've been doing all the work and training! but no matter wat, give it ur all and ur a winner in my book! :)

    ReplyDelete
  43. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!! you totally got this! i always set multiple goals but i really think you got the sub 2 sweet friend!!!! run hard and strong and with confidence! thinking of you. that poem = epic!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Haha, I'm beyond impressed with your poem skills :) GOOOOOD LUCK!

    ReplyDelete
  45. oh my gosh that was an AWESOME poem!! Good luck and have so much fun!!! I can't wait to run with you in a couple months!!

    ReplyDelete
  46. So wait, you're saying you're not a professional poet? I wouldn't have been able to tell if you hadn't said anything :)

    GOOD LUCK!!!! My number 1 goal is always to finish :p

    ReplyDelete
  47. good luck! love the poem. totally made me think more about my own for tomorrow. haha

    wishing u lots of luck and fun!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Awesome poem!

    I know you can run sub-2 (and I can't wait to read about it later)!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Love it! I'm sure you did awesome!!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Good luck! I know you did great and I'm keeping my fingers crossed you got your sub-2 half!

    ReplyDelete
  51. That poem is just wonderful. I love it so much. Multiple goals is a must, so you don't feel defeated.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Race the Bar 5k Recap (AKA: A Personal Worst!)

Do you remember a few weeks back, when I was all braggy about running in Florida in February/March? Sunny mornings around a lake with a light breeze off the water have turned, cruelly, into humid stretches of time where I am humbly reminded of my own limitations. You guys, I see these gazelle-like creatures, men and women alike, who prance on my running route with compression socks, a soft glow of perspiration at their brow. It's beautiful. It's also a harsh reminder that I am not them. I am currently running in the thinnest, smallest items of clothing I can without offending anyone (shirt stays on, people). I dare not step outside without some awful visor or wide-brimmed hat. When I hop in the shower after a run, my face is a deep crimson that causes my husband to voice his concern for my general well-being. Have I mentioned this is what happens after my easy runs, with a few walk breaks thrown in? Yeah. It's humbling. Now, I'm not complaining. It's beautiful

1st Wedding Anniversary--Celebrating with Chocolate!

One year ago today, I married the love of my life. And I couldn't be happier! In celebration of our very first anniversary, here are some pictures of our favorite moments together: Our first trail race together Hiking together in GA And of course, our wonderful wedding in Hong Kong. We both decided to keep things very simple, with a casual ceremony with a few friends and family and then lunch at the Mandarin Oriental. Exactly what I wanted! With our parents after making it official! Our entire wedding party. Just family and dear friends! Goofing around with my garter at the reception lunch! You think you know what couples do after they get married? You know, their first night at man and wife? If you guessed eat ridiculously delicious chocolates in their bed at the Grand Hyatt, you're right.  Oh, I haven't changed. One year later and I still celebrate with sweet things! Thanks Tim, for being a wonderful husband. I love you!

Brace Yourselves: Cuteness is Coming

One of the hardest things about moving, for me, was wondering how the cats would adjust each time. Although our cats are super travelers at this stage, I feel really guilty every time we have to pack them up and force them onto a plane. I remember my grandma telling me years ago that when she moved with a cat, they put butter on their paws. That way, the cats spent the first day in a new house licking their paws to get them clean, and that was enough time to lose the "smell" of the old house. I love that story, and I wish the same principle applied to longer moves. Anyway, that's a super long intro to say that for the fellow cat ladies out there, our three fur babies are insanely happy in this jungle gym of a home here in Florida. It's warm, there are plenty of sunny spots to curl up a take a nap, and they have lots of room to spread out. Despite the space, of course, they still usually want to take a nap on my head at night. Obviously. They also love climbing on ou