I wouldn't have thought there's a lot you could do in just 2 weeks except get yourself mentally focussed and dig deep on race day. You might surprise yourself!
I tried it but people soon figured out that I scratched the name of the event into the metal with a compas. So here I am, getting medals the hard way lol.
I tend to pick routes that stay away from dog walkers. I give them a wide berth because some owners don't have control over their dogs so I don't want to get tangled up in the lead and trip over. I'm fortunate that most of the dog walkers I encounter are pretty considerate. Ocassionally certain breeds will snap but having had dogs as pets my whole life I know that they usually just feel threatened so I'll just get pissed off for a moment, swear, then get over it.
I think shouting "FUCK!" is a good way to vent as it is more of an annoyance at the situation and not a direct attack at the dog or it's owner. I don't want to waste time discussing their incompetence, I'm trying to get a good run in.
Getting dazzled by full beam headlights is pretty disorientating. Fortunately most drivers dip their headlights as soon as they see me. I have found that when running downhill you can get dazzled by headlights from oncoming traffic no matter what the angle of the lights.
I really do appreciate the spring and summer months now.
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Forbes Browne
