With the Ascent less than 6 weeks away, I have to admit I'm starting to get a little nervous.

My biggest fear?

Not finishing in the cutoff time and therefore not officially finishing the Ascent.  

Although I am NOT fast, I am in pretty good shape right now.  Even with power hiking most of the course, I think I should have no problem finishing in the cutoff.

However, there are a few things that could happen.  

1)  Weather

The weather on the top of the Peak is unpredictable.  If it gets really bad, they may turn those of us slower runners still on the course around.  If we would get bad weather, it could mean I wouldn't be able to finish.

This is from the Pikes Peak Marathon website, "We have, and probably will again, turn people back down the mountain at the A-Frame due to the threat of lightning higher up. Search and Rescue receives up-to-the-minute weather data. Please follow any directions they give you."

I'm praying this doesn't happen to us in 2014!!

2)  Bottlenecks

I have heard runners from previous years say there can be bottlenecks on the trail that slow you down.  If some people go out too fast in the beginning (which I'm not planning on doing) and then slow down, I could get stuck behind them.  Since I won't be going much faster than what is needed for the cutoff time, I'm concerned this could cause me to miss it.  Hopefully, the slower runners (or hikers) will let me pass, but if not?  Well, let's just say it could be a deal breaker for me.

3)  Injury

I don't plan on being injured.  No one does.  But, as I was running down Barr Trail tonight, I twisted my ankle.  I felt a sharp pain but was able to still run on it and the pain eventually subsided.  So I think I'm okay this time.  But, you never know when you might fall or twist an ankle, etc.  

If I would get an unplanned injury within the next 5.5 weeks, it could slow me way down or potentially keep me from even lining up on the start line.

The Bottom Line?

All three of these fears are things out of my control.  I can train, plan, and prepare to the best of my ability.  But, if one of these three things happens, it will be out of my control.

Therefore, I think I better start praying the Serenity Prayer more often these next 5.5 weeks. :)

God grant me the serenity 
to accept the things I cannot change; 
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

How do you handle your fears and the things you can't control when it comes to racing?