1/2 marathon t-minus 6 days and counting...

Now it's getting serious. i gotta admit to a strange dream that resulted in my feeling bad about this weeks, oh gawd this weeks, upcoming 1/2 marathon. Since this is my first organized run i'm feeling pretty good about things and a little healthy nervousness.

So i wake up Friday morning with a sense of dread that i'll show up Saturday morning, for the run, and be the most out-of-shape person there!!! What a sense of dread. i'll be thoroughly embarrassed by my inability to finish. Despair had set it and i was ready to quit right then.

Then reality set in. Maybe i will be the most out-of shape person there. Maybe i'll be dead last, but y'know what??? i'll finish. It may be ugly but i'll finish.

Now here's reality. Saturday at noon, i set out on my last long run in preparation for the 1/2er. While stretching, i envision the distance i intend to run and internalize the way i'll feel at different moments and distances through the run. Then i set out.

It was raining and snowing at different moments and i began the first 1 1/2 mile into the wind. At the 2 mile point my mp3 loses its juice and the rest of the way i am tuneless. Real bummer but i learn to deal with it.

Miles 4, 5 & 6 are in an area where i have never been through and are a little entertaining. Mile 5, i actually leave my zip code for a little while. Mile 7 is back in familiar territory, part of my normal route and the rest of the way is familiar.

Mile 8 and i begin to realize my internalization and my meditation as i feel exactly as i had thought i would. it's still raining but i don't care. Although there are many moments i have slowed my pace, and increased it depending on my feelings, i have not yet broken stride and walked yet. i'm starting to think i won't need too.

Mile 9 feels like home and i'm so close now that i decide to pick up the pace. i don't run with a watch so i have no idea how long it's been. And with no music i can't guestimate a time based on the number of tunes. 2 hrs, i keep thinking, 2 hrs and i'll be in good shape for the 1/2 er. Finish strong, finish strong, 2 hrs, i hope it hasn't been two hrs yet.

The last 3/4 of mile ten is back in the wind. Just like i started but 10 miles, holy cow 10 miles, later. i'm feeling tired but still strong. i've got more juice left, so i put the hammer down and kick as fast and hard as i can for the final 1/2 mile.

Mile 10.22, home again. What a feeling i did it and i feel great as i continue to run into the yard and into the house to catch a glimpse of my oven clock to see my time.

1 hr and 51 minutes.

i'm ready!!!

more to come