last long run....

I'm sitting here watching the Katy Perry movie with my daughter and her friends, we are having a birthday sleepover. I'm trying to figure out everything I need to do tonight before I go to bed. It's my last morning waking up to go for a group long run....so sad! You know what that means..........

That's right we are 1 week out from our race!!!! Myself and about 20 other woman have been training for this race, it's been 15 weeks and we all are still here and doing awesome. I'm ready for the race to get here. I am ready to cross the finish line and being a "half marathon mom". I also hate to see all of this come to an end. It's kinda bitter sweet.

I love running with our group. I started with them for our Couch to 5K training. And  then we joined up again for this half training. I know I will still run with them, but I will miss the planned weekend runs.

I'm not going to worry about not having a goal after I finish this. I planned it so I wouldn't be without a goal. My next Half is November 11, 2012. The Pensacola Half Marathon. I was lucky enough to be given 5 free entries, so it was a no brainer that I was going to run this race. After that I will be running March 3, 2013 at the Seaside Half Marathon in Santa Rosa, FL.

In between those half's are a couple 10K's, a Marathon relay team in January. So I am all covered for GOALS!! Woohoo!

Besides keeping up with my running, I am going to re-invent my diet. I want to be fit and I have to get my eating in line with that goal!

So in a week, I'm going to run this race, then I am going to celebrate and enjoy that excitement. I have to work the next morning (I wanted to have a spa day, but I have to be at work), so they will just have to listen to me all day rambling about my race, I will probably wear my medal too! Then I am going to rest for that week and sleep in the next weekend. Then I will get back to running and staying in shape for November!

Do I have any advice for anyone wanting to do this? Of course I do....

#1.  If you want to do it, or if a friend is dragging you along, believe in your self that you can do it. Really, you got this. All it takes is faith in yourself.

#2.  When your head tells you to stop, or that you can't do it anymore, keep running. When your body tells you that you can't or to stop running you have to know if it's telling or yelling. If you are injured and it's YELLING at you then STOP and go find out what's wrong. Don't waste weeks trying to fix it on your own. Just get it looked at.

#3.  Have supportive family & friends, great shoes and eat well. Get plenty of rest and for Pete's sake STRETCH!!

#4.  As soon as you think about it and commit, register for the race. That will help keep you motivated and make sure to tell everyone you know/meet what you are doing. They will help keep you accountable.

That's all I have!

Thank you & Congratulations to all the ladies that I am so privileged to run with. I wouldn't have done this without you!  You all mean the world to me!!

QOTD:  What goal's are you working towards right now??