Today I did my FINAL long run for the Star Wars, the Dark Side, Half at Walt Disney World! Hurray!!

The training for this particular race has been super hard but also super weird.

Not working (which is AWESOME btw, I should have done it years ago;), has made the day of my long run rather flexible. This is good and bad. Good because I can adjust to what day the weather is better or my schedule accommodates it; BAD because it can be difficult to stay disciplined when you can literally do it whenever you want.

But it was actually lovely when Saturday and Sunday were cold and gray and rainy and I could say SCREW IT, I’m running Tuesday when it will be 60 and sunny. Which it was. And it was truly a great run. Oh, and also I skipped one of my mid-week runs last week because I fell while I was cleaning. If you follow me on social media you heard ALL ABOUT THIS, but just in case: I was sweeping and literally tripped over the dust pan, sort of doing the splits, falling on one knee, and hitting myself in the head with the broom handle. I wish I was kidding. Leg and neck hurt for several days. Are you kidding me?? I’m training for a half marathon and I hurt myself SWEEPING THE FLOOR?? Proof that cleaning is VERY dangerous. Leave it to the professionals.

But back to today’s effort: let’s be fair. When I say GREAT I mean that miles 1 – 10 were fantastic. Miles 10 – 12 I wanted to die. But that’s pretty much great, right??

I have been a runner for 7 years and I keep waiting for long runs to feel easy. Effortless. Elegant.

Alas, this never seems to actually happen. You know why? Because RUNING IS HARD. No matter how long you’ve been doing it, no matter how OFTEN you do it, it’s just hard. Some days, I’ll grant you, are easier than others but it’s still tough, mentally and physically, to force that body to keep moving forward for a couple of hours or more at a time.

Also, Experienced Runners, can we talk about the lack of family AWE  now that we’ve been doing this for awhile??

When I first started running, anything over 5 miles warranted people waiting on me, offering Advil, a pillow for my feet, Advil and burritos. Now? It’s all what’s for dinner and by the way did you pick up the dog’s medicine and I can’t find my socks. A prophet is never appreciated in her own home. OK, so that was about Jesus and I’m just whining. Sorry, Jesus.

But, in all seriousness, this training cycle has gone very well. The flu way back in January meant we were off to a slow start, but I’m very happy with the number of long runs I completed including 2, 8 mile efforts, a 15K (9 miles or so), a 10 miler and a 12 miler. More than enough, really, to be ready to run.

Already started weather stalking for the race. Forecast? Warm and humid. Shocker. I really don’t mind. Gives Sara and I an excuse when we finish dismally slow but with huge smiles and with plenty of energy for eating and drinking around the world.

Because I have a secret. Are you ready? No seriously, don’t tell anyone.

I only run races to force me to train. And train I’ve done. I don’t really care what happens on race day. I mean, obviously I want Sara and I to finish and be happy. But that ends my expectations. Does that make me a slacker??

Maybe.

Do I care?

NOPE.

Happy running, Ya’ll.