Race week!

And it's back! Race week has officially found its way into my life, and I'm not sure if I'm prepared enough for its arrival. 12 weeks I've trained for this half marathon. 12 weeks at the 'intermediate' level (apparently I'm graduated from novice) training. I think I'm prepared, I've done the majority of the running, minus that few weeks off because of injury. I've been running at a faster pace and actually have to slow myself down so I don't run out of energy. I have more gear, love my trusty little Garmin watch (probably rely on it WAY too much), and have learned more about hydration and gels and beans and nutrition. I think this time it's different because I have a goal. More than just a 'I want to finish the race and not keel over 20 yards away from the finish line". I want this 2:10 mark, I want to prove that I can do it, that I can run that 'fast'. Granted, it's not fast in the sense that women are finishing half marathons in just over an hour, but darn it its fast for me. My previous race time was 2:37, that's knocking a lot of time off from one race to the next.

Allison has the same goal, so it will be fun to have someone to pace with, as long as we're not a distraction to each other (it's been known to happen, we're pretty ridiculious together). Another distraction is the bands along the way, my legs like to dance when they hear fun music. Guess that's another thing to learn about and from. Whatever happens this weekend, I know I'll have put 12 weeks of training in, 12 weeks of running I wouldn't have normally done. I've been healthier, watching what I eat and exercising and been more aware of what I'm doing. That in itself is a success.

Well, race week here I come! Let the fun begin...