Let the training begin

To take advantage an early bird discount, I signed up yesterday for the Caesar Rodney Half Marathon on March 25.

This race is an absolute bear. Hilly, usually cold and wet, hilly, lonely, no crowd support, hilly, and did I mention it's hilly? Oh, and there's a big uphill finish. Lovely.

But, as my friends pointed out, it coincides perfectly with the start of my marathon training, so let's get to it.

No matter what, I will get a course PR. I did this same race in 2002 on literally no training. Back then, I was a girl who worked out in the gym all the time and maybe ran once or twice a month (half an hour on the treadmill) to mix it up. My training for the race consisted of two one-hour runs on the treadmill in the 3 weeks leading up to the race. I had no respect for the distance. I figured, "Hell, I've done a few 5Ks and I'm in great shape. I'll be fine."

As you can guess, it did not go well. :) I finished, but it was the most painful, horrible, humbling athletic experience of my life. My time was downright embarrassing (2:35ish, if I remember correctly). I cried tear of relief and humiliation as I crossed the finish line, sure I was dead last.

Worse yet, I didn't have the right cold-weather tech clothes and never warmed up on the very cold day, and my running shoes weren't right for my feet. I ended up with internal bruising and jaundice in both feet from the lack of circulation and lack of proper support. Yes, my feet were YELLOW.

So yes. It will be a course PR this time around. You can bet on that.