**This was written last night, but I didn’t have internet access, so I couldn’t post it until today. Race recap coming soon!*
I am running my first half marathon tomorrow morning and I just want to remember this moment. This moment full of nerves, excitement, fear, and trepidation. I’ve been training for this for the past 10 weeks, but still my mind is full of questions.
Can I really do this? Is the altitude going to kill me? The farthest I’ve run so far has been 10 miles – is it crazy to think that I can add a full 5k on top of that distance? What if I forget something important? What if I haven’t hydrated enough or eaten the foods I should have to fuel properly? What if I come in last? What if I injure myself and can’t finish? Will any of the other runners talk to me? Do I want any of the other runners to talk to me? What if the fuel they provide makes me sick (yes, I probably should have brought my own…but I didn’t.)? What if an elk runs after me and I’m so tired that I can’t run away?
Okay, I realize these are getting a little far-fetched, but they are still the questions currently on my mind.
I went to a runner’s clinic this morning with Jeff Galloway that was amazing (more on that later) and really got me pumped for the race. He convinced me to try his Run Walk Run method tomorrow, at least for half of the race (that was the deal I struck with him), even though the don’t try anything new on race day rule is still swirling around my mind.
I’m in Estes Park, meaning I’m surrounded by rushing rivers, rocky mountains, and pine tree forests. I’m staying in a very not fancy hotel room for the night (because I’m cheap), but aside from the smoky smell I don’t really mind, because this is the view out my window.
I had the most perfect pre-race dinner on a patio overlooking a lake and the salmon over a kale salad was everything I hoped it would be. I’ve been drinking water all day and I think I’m good hydration-wise, which is a big consideration in the altitude!
I have my outfit laid out, my Garmin charged and ready to go, and my bib pinned to my shirt. I’m as ready as I can be, yet I don’t feel prepared at all. I’ve run plenty of 5ks and I very clearly remember thinking I could never run 3.1 miles and here I am about to run 13.1. It’s mind boggling and I’m half questioning my sanity (get it? half? since it’s only a half marathon?).
A friend gave me this bracelet to wear. Her friend had given it to her before her first half marathon and told her that when the run gets hard to take it into her hand and use her fingers to push the beads through the little ribbon as a distraction. It was so sweet of her to pass it along to me and I’m grateful to add another tool into my race survival toolbox.
I had a much needed hour and a half pep talk from my best friend this afternoon and all that’s left to do is a little visualization, some prayer, and run. 13.1 miles.
These shoes have seen me through almost 300 miles and despite the nerves and doubts, the sentiment that I scribbled onto them when I first brought them home is still just as true and keeps my feet moving, one in front of the other.
It is well with my soul.