Fitness Friday...Race Day Goals and Chi-town Sweepstakes

So the day is almost upon me....my first big race...I mean big race since I had Aubrey.  In December I did race in a Jingle Bell 5k but I gladly ran with my 8 year-old niece while pushing my bossy 4 year-old (She is going to make a great coach some day!)  And let's be real....I raced wearing a giant tutu!  Let me refresh your memory....

So Sunday is the big dance...the one I have been training for since I was given the green light to ease into exercising again (oh bless my doctor's heart to think I eased into it!).

I'm trying to be very realistic with this race.  I am not giving myself excuses not to do well but I have to be kind to myself.  I ran through my pregnancy but had to STOP after and recover 8 weeks from a C-section.  This has given me 3 months to shed some baby weight and get my legs and lungs to play nice!  I'm getting there and honestly am very proud of myself for stepping up to the start line!  I'm also taking into consideration that I have strep throat, a kind gift that either my daughter or students so thoughtfully gave to me!  There all the excuses are out and here are my goals (It's been a LONG time since I've done this!)

1. To not stop/die on the course!  Yeah I guess I'm shooting low on this one!  Considering it will be St. Paddy's Day and I'm running with my BRF Jill, I think this won't happen.  If I start to teeter I can always grab a green beer and go!
2. Finish in under 2:30.  I went back and looked at my previous finishing times for this race (this is going to be the 4th time I've run it and my 20th half marathon).  My worst time was 2:35 back in 2007 when I ran it as a training run for Boston.  My best time was 1:52 which was a pr for me.  Last year I ran it 4 months pregnant and got just over 2 hours.  The course is HILLY especially with a mountain at mile 12 (only a slight exaggeration!).  I can do this!
3. Finish in under 2:10.  This would make me super happy!  Just finishing will make me super happy too but hitting this goal will make me feel like I have less of a hole to climb out of to get back my speed!

The day is looking great!  Here is the weather report for Sunday...

SunMar 17

40^°

30^°

Partly Cloudy
Chance of rain: 10%
Wind: WSW at 9 mph 

40 I can do...partly sunny I can do...Wind only 9mh I can do....I can do this!!!!
Half marathon #20 here I come!!! 

In other exciting news I was chosen again this year to be a ZOOMA Cape Cod Ambassador.  I am beyond excited to be a part of this race series again this year and to kick it off I am passing onto you all an amazing sweepstakes that they have going on right now.  

The Muscle Milk Light ZOOMA Women’s Race Series is calling all women runners to Run to Chi-Town for a fit girlfriends’ getaway this summer, and will award the grand-prize winner of a national sweepstakes an all-expenses paid trip for two to Chicago on August 9-10 for the inaugural ZOOMA Chicago Women’s Half Marathon & 10K, including luxury accommodations at The Langham Chicago, travel expenses, and a fitness-and-fashion makeover from the contest’s sponsors.  

 

I mean come one people.....why are you still here reading?  Go NOW and enter to win!