This week marks the beginning of my racing season as I prepare for my first half-marathon of the year – the 2nd Annual Lansing Half-Marathon scheduled for Sunday, April 21. I have an 8 week training plan printed and placed in my fitness binder and I am READY TO RUN!
While I work out and run every week, these first couple months of the year have been mostly about maintaining mileage and staying healthy and fit through winter. Now it’s time to amp it up and start working toward my goals as the nicer weather approaches. I am PUMPED!
I completed three half-marathons (this one included), in addition to various other races throughout 2012, and my final PR for the year was 1:54:54 at September’s Capital City River Run. Of course, my goal is to achieve yet another PR, but either way, it’s all about the journey, and just completing this will mark another accomplishment and more experience under my belt.
Sometimes I think the preparation and time taken to train is almost more fun than running the race. I love the build-up and excitement of checking the days off the calendar leading up to the big event, as well as picking out a brilliant new outfit to wear, and the increase in strength, endurance, and speed as I train and focus on the goal makes me feel fabulous inside and out. Yes, the race is great and it feels incredible to cross the finish line, but training is priceless. I always learn new things while I’m out logging those miles, and I find I feel my best physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Who doesn’t want that?!?
I’ll be participating is some other races for fun leading up to the race, and I’ve already got others picked out (some new, some the same as I’ve done before) that I plan to do throughout the year. I’m incredibly excited to get back into race training and look forward to the awesome running adventures yet to come! Oh, the places I’ll go… It’s going to be GREAT!
Happy Running! Happy 13.1!
timsrunningreviews says
Good luck out there! I am doing the relay with 5 of my friends. Maybe I’ll see you out there! 🙂