3 Days & Counting! Nashville Goals.

Just three days now until I take on the Women’s Half Marathon in Nashville with Team Challenge. I can’t believe it’s almost race day! As it draws closer, I’m starting to think about goals. My original goal for the year of running a 2:30:00 half marathon has long been forgotten.

For this race, I have three goals that are incredibly important to me.

Last year’s singlet! Haven’t decided if I’ll deck out my new one or wear my old one. Decisions, decisions.

Give it all.

I tend to do two things that keep me from having my fastest race. I doubt myself and run slower than I’m probably capable of running. And I always finish with juice in the tank. When I finish this race, I want to know that I gave it my all, mentally and physically. I want to feel like I did when I crossed the finish line in Las Vegas last December. Happy, proud, and tired. Ready to celebrate, but only after some rest.

With a diseased colon and my running buddy in Vegas.

Remember the reason.

I have a growing list of my own friends and loved ones, blog readers, past participants, and my friends’ friends and loved ones who have IBD. It’s too warm for arm warmers, but I’m going to find a way to carry all of those people with me on race day. I’m going to remember why I’m running. I’ll also have each and every one of my donors in my heart, too. If it gets tough and I don’t want to push anymore, those are the things I’ll think about.

Smile & have fun.

It sounds cliche, I know, but that’s my plan. If I PR, awesome. If I run my slowest half marathon ever, so be it. I just want to smile, enjoy myself, and run the best race I can right now. Oh and of course I want to look good finishing. Duh. That one’s a given. I plan to dedicate each of my miles to a particular person or group of people to help me stay calm and happy on the course. Oh, it’s going to be a good one.

What are your tricks for pushing yourself to have a good race – mentally and physically? Share them with me!