That’s Amore (to get the full effect, sing it!)

As I told someone earlier this week, I’m totally hot and heavy with running right now.  My workouts are going really well, my legs are feeling strong, I’m getting faster with less effort, and (crossing my fingers and knocking on wood) I’ve had no indicators of injury – all in all, I’m lovin’ it! I’m simultaneously icing and stretching as I write this, just in case….. I never would have thought that 8:30-8:40 pace would now be my “easy” pace. It’s a good feeling, and I’m just in love with running and training, training and running.  I’m also trying to be really careful when it comes to personal health too.  It’s completely normal to dip your kids in Lysol and soapy water as soon as they get off the bus, isn’t it? Orange juice, anyone???

Today is my day off running, and as much as I need it and wanted it, I’m already thinking of tomorrow.  40 degrees and rain? Ok. I’m running. Wind? Whatever, I’ll wear an extra layer. I’m planning it, thinking about it, and visualizing it.  And it’s just a casual run.  Sunday is some regular “easy” running with hills thrown in for almost half of it. I’ve got my route already planned out, the timing of it, and I’m looking forward to it.

Next Saturday morning at 6:30, I’ll be stepping to the line of a pretty big challenge, the Myrtle Beach 1/2 Marathon.  I’m aiming for an official PR, which is anything under 1:44, but I’m not going to get overzealous about it.  I have a race plan, and I’m sticking to it.  This isn’t my absolute A race, so I’m not going all out.  I’m feeling confident about it, probably more than I have for any other race, but yet, I’m not nervous.  Yet. Maybe that’s experience talking, maybe it’s just that I haven’t absorbed the thought of stepping up my game for an entire 13+ miles, maybe I’m just in denial.  I don’t know what it is, but it’s a good feeling, a sort of calm, like you know what’s going to happen and you’re ok with however it turns out.  Maybe that’s the love of running.

I’m hoping this love affair will remain until the end of April and I will avoid that burnout phase… you know, the one where you love running but you just don’t like it at that time?

For now, I’ll just dream of new running shoes, that runner’s high feeling, and the thought of feeling strong through a race I know will kick my ass.  So in prep for the race, I’m re-doing my playlist.  Anyone have songs that I MUST have?  I have a lot of go-to songs, and I have some new ones since my last race, but I’m always looking for new options.

Good luck to anyone racing this weekend!!!