Three in One Weekend- Up the Tower, Through the Woods, and Over the Bridge

This past weekend was a busy race weekend for us.  We have on a few occasions raced twice in a weekend or twice in a day even but it seemed as though this weekend was going to have new challenges.  We were not running three normal running races- no Goofy Challenge this time!  No this weekend would be filled with stairs, sandy trails, and pavement.

We started off with a 31 flight stair climb.  This was our second year completing this event.  The event is in partnership with the Half Marathon we ran on Sunday.  The proceeds go to benefit the Special Olympics of Alabama.   Originally this event was for first responders and was held during the day time.  For the past few years it has been open to the general public and this year it was moved to Friday evening.  After work we packed up, went a picked up our race packets for Saturday, and then headed out to the tower. 

The Race to the Top of the Tower is a fun and daunting event.  The whole thing is over in about 25 minutes and as is our course we stayed steady in the upper middle pack.  The first 8 flights go by quick.  You feel good and then not so good.  Yes your legs burn but you can take that.  Yes your feet hurt but you have been there before.  These are not the things that stop me in these climbs- nope- instead it is the TURNING, and TURNING, and TURNING.  We joked with others before the race about needing sea sickness medications in order to make it!!  Once the dizziness kicks in, I start to warm up and get clammy.  It takes a few flights of stairs to get things back under control- deep breathing.  The good thing for me is at flight 8 all the people in my pack have the same issue.  The other good thing for me is I am a fast walker and this seems to translate to being a fast stair walker too.  After calming back down a little but not losing momentum I picked up my pace again, round and round we went.  Patrick was on my heels but I could not look back to check on him; if I did my dizziness would surely cause me to go over the railing and find myself back on the first floor.  I passed a few people in the climb and hit the cold wind of the top at about 6:40.  I quickly moved out of the way of the others stumbling up behind me.  The first, First Responder made it to the top, a fire fighter.  This sight of seeing him in full gear (helmet, jacket, pants, tanks, all of it) reach the top mixed with the cold air was breathtaking.  Patrick was up shortly behind him.    

Patrick had a struggle at the top, the cold air at the start mixed to warm air in the stair well, and then hit with cold air at the top caused his lungs to want to throw themselves from his chest and over the side of the building.  He held it together and walked it off, to go see the sunset and the city lights brighten.  Sadly I don’t have photos of that sunset but from 31 flights up we could watch the final light sink below the horizon.  The sky lit up with a vibrant pink and the sea answered back a final wave as the sun was gone and night had arrived. 

The next morning we rose early to get out to the Lagoon for our 8K trail run.  Patrick likes to beat the race director to the race site on this one and we did!  We curled up in the car for about 15 minutes before he showed up (he wasn’t late).  We hauled pancake batter, logs, bacon, grill, plates, and maple syrup; all the while wondering why we didn’t just stay and eat instead of running.  The wind was still blowing and causing a nip in the air, so after Patrick got the fire going we huddled there, more and more racers showing up to gather.

We had to leave the warmth and move to the start line.  As we gathered to block the wind from ourselves at the sacrifice others, the sun began to add a little warmth.  I always forget how much sand there is on this race course.  The first half mile is on pavement, but then we break out in to the woods.  Once we made that turn onto the sand I remembered why this race was hard last year.  It was also not long till the middle of the pack was turning around due to a dead end, in the wrong direction.  We were supposed to have turned at the cone but the arrow was not visible so we ran right on past- some ran further than others.  We turned again and righted our course.  I was in a chase to catch Patrick’s sister, Jennifer, she was just in front of me.  Patrick was also hot on my heels, after righting the sign for others; he joined back to the course. 

We twisted and turned and dug deep in the soft sand.  The day was beautiful.  As we entered in to a “freshly tilled bog area”, I took out in front of Jennifer.  There was only one problem, I was leading us deeper into tilled moss and dirt and sticks.  Jennifer yelled to me about how much this sucked and about how we needed her 6 year old to be there to help lead us; he really is great at calling out the trail challenges.  As we pushed up a few more hills Jennifer dropped back slightly.  I put in my sight a new rabbit to chase.  She was in bright neon yellow making her easy to find in the trees.  I gained little by little, mostly on sandy uphills.  I passed her with about a mile or ¾ of a mile left.  The problem was now I was in the lead of our little group and we were still in the woods with paths darting left and right.  This is a course known for lost runners and given the earlier wrong way I was a little nervous.  I think I may have run a little faster just wanting people to not be following me in case I made this a 6 mile run.  I hit the finish line with a wide stride on the pavement.  I felt good and could not help but notice that there were not many cards turned in for my age group, but I wasn’t really sure.  Patrick was a few minutes behind me- he was the smarter one saving his legs for the following day, as he reminded me to do before the race, at the start line, and noted after we finished. 

With the whole family across the finish line we watched a few more finish, and then changed clothes to get warm and off to eat pancakes and bacon.  The factor that this race ends in pancakes and bacon will keep us coming back.  I placed third in my age group and I got to enjoy the victory with a few of my Gavel Girlz teammates.    

After the race we got some errands done and then headed home, with the best on intentions to stretch.  Yeah…. That didn’t happen.  The next morning we were up with the moon and stars to drive about 45 minutes for the Gulf Coast Series: Gulf Shores Half Marathon.  I enjoy this race.  The group who hosts the race is very friendly and supportive.  Also this racing series is packed with our PRRC group, wonderful people to run with and just to hang around. 

The day was cool and misty.  My foot was hurting (maybe from the sand yesterday), I tried to put some extra padding between the top of my foot and my shoe (by mile 6 this would be more problematic).  I started the race with one of Patrick’s old shirts on but I had not discussed with him my plans of throwing this shirt aside at a water station.  He was not thrilled with my choice since he “needed” it for a garage shirt, but my plan remained- trust me it is not a flattering shirt.

We took to the road, by the time I reached the bridge at mile 1 I was feeling over it.  My legs were tight and my foot hurt, and it was cold and misty, and I was going to have a pouting event.  The only problem was that Patrick was quickly leaving me in his dust.  I pushed up the bridge; even though I had to look down to make sure my feet were actually touching the ground ahead of me and not in the same place.  Thankfully Patrick slowed for me at the first turn and let me catch up to him.

We ran on with little talking for the first 5 miles.  I am not sure why I was so silent, maybe my foot hurt more than I wanted to admit or maybe I was worried about my foot and little more than I was willing to admit.  At about mile 6 my emotional breakdown started.  My foot was hurting. When Patrick asked me about moving the cushioning patch I had on and I told him it was already on the top of my foot and he got frustrated with me, I just stopped. Literally the first time ever I just stopped in the middle of a race course.  It was only for a second (the proof is on my Garmin), I didn’t even walk, just stopped.  I felt overwhelmed with emotion.  Patrick yelled for me to start running and I did.  Even then I knew he wasn’t being mean he was simply trying to get me going again.  And it worked.  Unfortunately I am pretty sure the girl who ran with us for the final 7 miles, who could have witnessed this interaction, ran with us to be sure Patrick wasn’t being mean or yelling at me out of anger.  Thankfully not she nor I and Patrick talked about that moment.    

About a half a mile up I was done with the patch- we don’t need no stink’en patches.  I stopped again to take it off as the other two ran on, at my urging.  I sprinted to catch them and in that moment the emotions of the last half a mile and the frustrations melted away.  I was good again, the way that only pushing the pavement makes you good again.

Our new friend was very nice, a semi-local who returned to her home town with her family.  She is an adoptive parent so we had lots to talk about.  The funny thing about this particular even is I always end up finding members of our “child welfare family”. 

Patrick and were back to good and our “No-Show” friend joined us for a few miles. The banter back and forth helped to pass the time and miles.  In fact, the miles passed till we were staring down the bridge again.  Before we met the bridge I picked up Patrick's beloved shirt at the final water station where I had left it previously, he was happy.  One more time, one more little blip, up the bridge.  “No-Show” dropped off the hang back for his wife who was completing her first half; our new friend got snagged on the uphill; we pushed on.  I wasn’t going to be dropped this time.  Left, right, left, right, there beside Patrick up and over the damn bridge.  After that it was a smooth downhill and a light half a mile push to the finish.  I didn’t have it in me to sprint; I had already determined something was wrong enough with my foot to make a doctor’s appointment, so this was not my time to push.  Patrick would be there for me this time pushing me a little faster and a little further.  

Patrick grabbed my hand this time, and with a few more steps and a few final breaths we were over the finish line.

Our time was not our best, even on this course, but this weekend’s journey was long and steady. Well, that’s how we spent our weekend.

   

         

I Want To Be Better

As January of 2015 has come and gone and here we are in February I figured it would be a good time to really get out there my goals for this race year.  I have thought long and hard about what I want and I have decided it comes down to this: I want to be better.  That is my goal.  
As with all goals in order to know what you are working towards you have to define the goal, this meant for me there was a need to define what "better" means.  This was where I started to have a problem. What did better mean?  And how would I know I was better?
Well, the first part of this was easy for me, I wanted to define better as a time.  I am not normally one who hopes to cut time down on races, I look at each race as did I try my best.  but this year I do have a time goal, I want to shave 10 minutes from my Ironman distance time.  I have three opportunities to achieve this goal this year.  I feel this is reasonable and obtainable.  This year I know what to expect from this race and I think that gives me some advantage over the time.  
After I set this goal for time I thought about if this is really the only definition of better for me.  I came up with, "no".  So what else do I want to do better. 
I want to be even better at engaging in the racing community in a helpful manner.  This year Patrick and I have taken on writing out Tri Club newsletter and we are members of a Tri Team.  Both of these give opportunities  to give back to our sport and physical community.  So this year on the race course I am going to say even more thanks yous and good jobs to the volunteers and other racers.  I am going to cheer on those who I encounter who are struggling.  And even before the start line I am going to support, encourage, and push those around me to be better.  So be prepared for when you see me on the course I will yell louder and push a little harder.
These are my goals.  I have means of getting there and a course of action.  Here we go. 

Being better does not mean changing the world, it simple means being the change you want to see in the world and in yourself.         

Double Bridge- Patrick and Teresa Style!!!

One of the great things about our racing community is that certain races are going to come up year after year, Double Bridge is one of those races.  With these repeat races there is often a benefit to signing up early, a money saving benefit.  So Patrick and I signed up shortly after the race last year.  The only problem with this is we had no idea we would be selected for a triathlon team that would be volunteering at the event handing out fabulous visors.  We had to figure a few things out to make it all work- we wanted to run the race but knew we could not run the race.  A plan started to brew- we would run the race before the race!!! 

Start Line- 4AM

This seemed like a good idea when the plan was to start running at 5am.  But since we had a few rough running events lately I freaked out and we decided to run at 4am!  This means a 3am wake up for me, because I still HAD to shower.  
Also, something to remember at 4am (which since we had not been running in the mornings I had forgotten), it is colder than the day's high! We arrived at the start line at 4am, water, nutrition, and lights all a go!!!  The security officer gave a slightly questionable glance but since we weren't vandalizing the place or breaking any laws he didn't intervene.  He more than likely thought, "Oh great crazy runners already!"

At the CHOPPA!!!

We headed out on our little adventure, we would run the course from the Pensacola side to the Pensacola beach side (oh yeah this meant leaving my Jeep overnight at the beach).  It was a strange feeling coming out of the start line, there was no one elbowing for room, no one pushing, no need to zig or zag.  Then it dawned on us, THIS IS WHAT THE FRONT OF THE PACK FEELS LIKE!!!!  We were the leaders in our own little race!!! 
We started a little slow and in the third mile I needed a quick potty break- the good thing about running a race course before the race, these things are already set up for you!  We hit the War Memorial and got a quick photo with the Chopper- the Pea Ridge folks know why. (It is weird having so many race photos, since we stopped to take them this time.)
Once on the 3 mile bridge it was step by step easy sailing.  We listened to the fish jump at the bugs brought by the lights off the fishing pier and after we passed that Patrick listened to me sing the theme song to Might Mouse.   

Moving on 3 Mile

The moon was high and bright in the sky and lit up the small water breaks.  I was basking in the moonlight when I heard a voice behind me, "I am coming up on you, don't want to scare you." I nearly jumped off the bridge in that moment.  Who the heck is out here running at 0430?  Besides us!!!  I laughed as his efforts to not scared me nearly made me pee myself (thank goodness for the earlier potty break).  He passed with little more than a conversation about the great morning and to have a good run.  We got a few honks from people headed out to the race- we waved.  We got a few looks from people trying to beat the start of the race to work- we waved.  And we got buzzed by an 18 wheeler- he did try to give us room and we certainly gave him as much as we could. 

Overpass

After reaching the end of the first bridge we headed onto some not so great road.  They are grating the road for new pavement so it is not fun, but the sidewalk soon appeared.  I thought this would be a good thing, until we hit the sprinklers.  I am not sure what they were watering as it seemed only the side walk and us were getting wet.  
We passed another officer at this point, waiting in her car for the real racers.  She waved and appeared shocked.  Not sure if it was because we were running out there so early or if it was because we looked like blinking Christmas trees heading down the road.  We hit the 5K area and started to see the 15K buses go by to the start line, Patrick waved, I gave my hang ten signal and on we went.
At this point we hit the overpass.  Now if you have never run this course "Double" Bridge is a misnomer, because really there are three bridges when you include the over pass.  And you should include the over pass because it is a bridge, it is steep, and it is at an awkward angle, making it difficult.  The buses were coming by more frequently at this point- we still waved.  

Top of the beach bridge

Here we were at the foot of the last bridge, up and over that's all we had left.  Again I sang, not sure what this time, but I sang.  We waved at a few runners on the other side and a few more buses.  We pushed up the bridge at a decent pace, catching the sky as it began to warn of the rising sun. Down the bridge felt good, this is not always the case for me and downhills, but today it was all good.  We met the cone layers at the bottom of the bridge as they headed out. 

Rock N Fly Proud!

Wishing them all a good morning we pushed out the last half mile on a marked course.  
We turned into the parking area and went ahead on down the finish shoot.  I think the guys finishing putting up the netting got nervous with our arrival so we assured them it was not race time yet.  We lengthened our strides and pressed on through the finish line.  Patrick really pushed me, I could not fall back.  It would have been a photo finish.  We were greeted by a few friends who were working the race.  One mentioned that he was not sure if it was us coming through or UFOs landing!!!!  
After our race it was time for part two of our morning- Handing out visors to the 15K finishers.  This was an amazing experience, as volunteering on these events often is.  We got to see the speedy guys and gals cross the line then we took our spots at the Gavel Nation (Joe Zarzaur) tent to hand out visors with our Tri Team. We got to see lots of smiling faces- happy to have done their 15K!!!  

 While a year ago and even a few months ago this was not the race we set out to have I think in the end it was even better than any race we could have run today.  We got to run the race course that we love and we got to give back to the running community which has and continues to give back so much to us!!!! 

Congrats to all the finishers out there!!!  

They were nice enough to give us medals (we were official racers).

   

Rock and Roll Marathon- Sometimes You Get the Race You need, Not the Race You Wanted

There are good races and bad races in racing, but everyday you race is a good day.  
We went to NOLA Rock and Roll marathon with no sort of plan other than to get it done.  In the end that's what we did.

Our training had been minimal at best, getting only one one run over 13.1 miles done.  We had felt good on that long run.  Once at the expo we decided to aim for a 5:30 race (I never said we were super speedy).  This would make this our fastest marathon.  On race morning we also decided to stay together for this race, knowing each one of us would need a little extra push at some point, we just didn't realize how big of a push would be needed.  
The morning was cold and windy, then we turned a corner (literally) and it was hot!  The sun was beating down on us by the time our wave started around 8am, the wind was steady.  We headed out towards the Garden District, stripping clothing.  We were down to our shorts and singlets by the second mile.  We were also needing to stop to stretch in this second mile.  We listened to the bands play brass and southern rock, as the smells of bar-b-que began to fill the morning air.  We were on pace; we were actually a minute ahead of pace for the first 10 miles.  All was good in this moment, the bands were playing, our legs were loosening out, and we were feeling good (minus all my potty breaks).  

 As we headed to the  French Quarter some of the half marathoners were starting to fall off their own pace.  We gave encouragements as we passed, hoping to give them that edge as they stride into their last 5 miles.  Running through the French Quarter on streets normally filled with angry drivers and drinking patrons, was a refreshing New Orleans experience.  We could hear the tuba player outside of Cafe du Monde, as the barges started to wake up on the Mississippi.  We finished off the French Quarter portion with cheers and headed out to the lake.  This run up Esplanade would be about 2 miles.  At the end of it the half marathoners would break off to the finish line and leave only a few of us still pushing on.  As we approached our turn on to a short out and back road Patrick began to feel his calf pain worsen and then tighten to an unbearable pain.  He described it as a feeling that his Achilles was going to break off.  I don't care who you are if that's the description of your pain that's not good.  We began to walk at about 12.5.  From here till about mile 15 we would be slow.  In fact our pace was too slow, at that pace over the next 13 miles we would be in danger of being pulled from the course.  We negotiated back and forth over me leaving a running ahead.  I would not be able to recatch the 5:30 pace, but I could still push out to beat my IMCHOO time.  Patrick was in pain that no course massage, stretching, or ibprophen was helping (we were looking for some Biofreeze but that was limited on the course and would remain elusive until mile 25).  

After much encouragement from Patrick, I kissed him and headed out to finish the race.  There was one problem, my legs thought we were already done.  I ran about 200 yards on legs made of cement and rebar, then had to walk again.  This continued for about a half a mile.  I glanced back to see where Patrick was to find that he was gaining on me.  He grinned having been caught.  I found out later he wanted me to be his rabbit, someone to chase to help him try to push through the pain.  We were back together heading into mile 19.  I looked over to Patrick and told him I wanted to catch the guy in the Blerch shirt (my favorite running comic).  Patrick looked back at me and said, "I know."  I knew it would take some time.  But as we made the turn along the lake front I could see my target. We were about 3/4ths of a mile back.  Having 5 miles to go I knew I could catch him.  Little by little we crept up on him.  I was having some pretty serious abdominal/side pain, this had happened before so I was pretty sure my appendix was not bursting.  Just before mile 23 we caught him and passed him, it was a little victory but what we both needed.  We cheered him on as we passed.  Then step by heavy step we moved into the final 5K.  
Here in these final miles we would pass and cheer others (rabbit after rabbit behind us)  but we would no longer be passed.  We were putting our race back together and we were doing on the spirit from each other.  Each mile feeling a little stronger.  At the last band stand at 25 they began to play Tom Petty's "Last Dance with Mary Jane".  We took a seconds pause, this mile was our last dance.  We pushed on. 
As we approached the finish line we agreed to not sprint it out.  But then the final 300 yards opened up.  We looked at each other- it was almost over, it was a hard road, but it was our road.  200 yards, we lengthened our stride.  100 yards, hand in hand we ran.  I may have gotten a little excited, as I heard Patrick say "whoa" and we slowed only slightly to keep his legs from cramping up more.  That was it!!!  DONE!!!  

At the finish line there still stood volunteers and announcers.  They high fived us, patted us on our backs, handed us our medals, water, chocolate milk, beads, and jackets.   
We may not have met our time goal, we may not have had our fastest marathon, we may not have done it as others would have, but what we did was amazing.  
If you take away the medals, the visors, the jackets, what stands before you is still the glory you have in your heart for the sport, the commitment, the effort, and the love.  I would not wish for a better day or a better race.  This race was ours, this day was wonderful, and tomorrow we will learn again.   

Awesomeness!!!

   

How a Robot Vacuum Makes me a Better Husband

I hate vacuuming. I always have. Vacuums annoy me, at best. The act of vacuuming - ug. I'd rather go to the dentist. For these reasons, Teresa has always taken care of this particular chore. I still do things around the house, mainly fixing things, taking out the trash, dishes, and cat litter boxes. Since Teresa is obviously in charge of floor care she gets the final say in the equipment she uses. We graduated from a conventional bagged vacuum about 10 years ago to a Dyson. I really hate this thing. As far as I'm concerned, the transition to "bagless" is a big FU to consumers. What a useless idea this is. Now after stirring up all the dust while vacuuming, you also get an extra dose in the face when you try to empty the canister, and again when you try to clean the 50 filters. BUT Teresa likes it and I only have to use it once a year. To be honest, we are lucky that my one-time-a-year use hasn't resulted in me running it over with may car (like the cordless phone, VCR, and blender). I digress.

Shortly after we got this particular vacuum we replaced most of our carpet with laminate floors, and bought a Mint, swiffer robot. We call her Rosie, like the "Jetson's." This little engineering marvel increased my involvement in floor cleaning by 100%. It's like a Ronco for floors, set it and forget it.

 When Teresa started looking at robot vacuums I was apprehensive because of the price. Ultimately, we bought one. BEST DECISION EVER. A step up from the Mint, this thing is on a schedule and is completely automatic (except when it gets stuck or needs it's dust bin emptied). It starts in the morning and vacuums our room, the bathroom, the cat's bathroom, the hall, entry way, and bar room, then it returns to it's charging station. It effectively picks up all the cat hair and sand daily. It makes a huge difference in the amount of vacuuming Teresa has to fit in on a monthly basis.

We call it Tony, like "Who's the Boss."

Here's the thing: I enjoy the act of emptying that thing's dust bin. I do it every other day. It takes less than a minute (still bagless and I do hate that but it doesn't seem as bad, and the filter cleaning is still a pain). Once a week I put it in the living room to pick up all the dog hair. I'm happy to do it because it is one less thing for Teresa to worry about and it doesn't result in me wanting to run something over with my car.

This morning we had a discussion about how often Teresa empties the dust bin on the robot. Maybe once a month. I came to the conclusion that the robot helps me be a better husband. It encourages me  to do more things around the house. Dishes, trash, cat boxes, and fixing things don't take a lot of time, and I'm able to fit those into my normal days without much trouble. Teresa "cleans" where I only "pick-up," does all the laundry and bed sheet stuff, shopping and scheduling. Everything balances out pretty well. The problems occur when we go into major training mode. We trash the house quicker because we are always short on time. Laundry increases exponentially because of workout clothes and towels. My contribution with the vacuuming helps alleviate the extra demands our "Athletic" lifestyle has put on the household.

The robot vacuum helps.

And I'm finally getting older and more mature and have figured out more of this "being an Adult" stuff. -- that probably helps too.

Advice to First Timers

Jennifer's First Half!!

While I am not first or fast out there I feel like I have been doing this long enough to give some advice to the first timers.  
**The reason I feel that maybe I should give some general advice is that I have been running in events since 2008.  I have run most distances and on most terrains.  Also it seems I am being asked for advice (still weird).**
Remember first you already did you the two hardest parts: 

1) YOU SIGNED UP! 
2) YOU SHOWED UP!!

I hope you did the 3rd important part and TRAINED too! 

Now advice for race day prep and race day advice: 

RACE DAY PREP

• Do packet pick up early.  For your first time you don't want to be standing at the packet pick up on the morning of your race.  It causes anxiety.   But remember if you can't get there to get your packet early you will be okay.
• Check the weather.  Never freak out.  Weather is what it is.  it makes us tougher every step of the way. 

  

  This was for a 5K. :)

• Lay out your race day gear.  Everything from underwear to shoes to nutrition to after clothes.  I set up my gear on the bed as if I am putting it on- visor, sunglasses, bra, shirt, run belt (with number attached), shorts (built-in undies), knee braces, socks, shoes.  Then I set out nutrition (for long runs).  Then I packet it in my bag, piece by piece, except for what I will wear.  I also lay out my clothes I am wearing to the race.   Then I grab out after race clothes.  This is helpful in the winter as you will sweat then when you stop you will get cold.
• Set your alarm clock. 
• Eat dinner a little early. 
• Go to bed early if the have to get up earlier than normal.   Now it may feel like Christmas Eve and you can't sleep.  Take deep breaths and with each breath fill your body with a color.  See it come over your toes, breath, then up your legs, breath, then into your torso, breath, the don your arms, breath, then up your neck breath, then over your head, breath, then bask in your colored warmth.  And sleep.  

RACE DAY ADVICE: 

SHOES!!!

•  Remember your shoes.  You can run without them but it might be rough.  They should be in your gear bag or with your morning clothes.
• Stick to your plan. STAY THE COURSE.  Your first race is not the first time you should try something new. If your new socks just came in the mail, today is not that day to wear them.  
• Trust in yourself.  This is a journey.  A life change.  This is the first step to other journeys.  Trust that you can do it.  Because all the rest of us on that start line with you know you can do it.   
• SMILE!!!!  We are all glad you are there, you should be too. 

  

  HAVE FUN!!!

• Don't under estimate your ability. 
• Don't think that because you didn't win that you didn't try.  A DFL (Dead F**king Last) is better than a DNS (Did Not Start). 
• Be willing to assess the situation.  If you had wanted to run the full distance but on mile 2 get a horrible leg pain, take time to assess.  This does not mean your race day is over it just means there is some change.  These changes on the course are to be expected. 
• Give yourself permission to try and try again.  If you need to walk or want to walk this is okay.  It does not mean your race is over, you don't get to throw in the towel.  Take your minute and go at it again. 

My last piece of RACE DAY advice is this: 

HAVE FUN

If you are not having fun then at some point you missed the point.  This is fun. Race day is fun. Get involved in the race.  Sing the National Anthem. Yell when they say GO! Say thank you to the police and volunteers.  Joke with the guys giving you directions.  Look around at the beauty of the course (something you don't see from a car). Feel refreshed by the water at water stops.  Count down the miles (I do mine in the voice of the Count from Sesame Street. A 5, ha ha ha.  A 6 ha ha ha.  It makes me laugh). And when that finish line appears, you push your final push, you throw your hands up in the air and you proclaim your finish!!!!  

I AM HERE!!!  VICTORY IS MINE!!!!    

Happy racing to all of those towing the line for the first time and to those who have towed it a thousand times.  You are each my hero.  And I am proud to call you comrades. 

Preparing for Something You Didn't Prepare For

Life throws things at us.  I would love to say this half marathon go thrown at me but let's face it I have known it was coming for months.  However, my motivation has not be hyped up for months.  So here we are on the eve of the eve of this half marahton and I am working to convenience my brain that I am ready and I can do this, at least live through this thing. 
I think I may be at the "fake it till you make it" stage. 
That's what I am going to do.  I am working to change my self talk from worries to proclamations.  
I WILL FINISH. 
I will run it. 
I will be strong. 
I will be powerful. 
I will press on. 
I will stay focused. 
I will be okay. 

That's it---- I WILL.