In my mind I have a plan. I also have a dream. The difference is about 3 minutes of running time but in running terms that’s reasonably significant. Especially if you’re behind and have few k’s left to try and make up time.
But despite the preparations that have gone into training for the 1/2 marathon, the weather on the day will be a force unto itself.
And wouldn’t you know it. A southerly is due and it’s meant to rain on Sunday.
So despite all the training, despite the plan and dream, it may come down to the force of nature that puts a spanner in the works.
I know some absolutely love running in the rain, but I’ve pretty much avoided it. I don’t mind a little sprinkling of water. But I haven’t trained in the rain and that’s probably because the thought of it makes me miserable. So if that’s my attitude, I don’t know how I’ll be able to lift my spirits and greet a rainy 2 hours of running with any joy.
What I haven’t shared thus far is that in my preparations for the 1/2 marathon I’ve spent almost 3 weeks sleeping on my own in our spare bed. I know it sounds stupid. It’s not like rugby teams (or was it soccer) that ban sex the night before. It’s got nothing to do with it. Bed hopping puts a whole new spin on things 
It’s the cats. I know, who’s the master and all that. But they meow if the door to the bedroom is closed. And if they come in then they snuggle up to me and I can’t get comfortable and end up with a very restless sleep.
So I moved out of the bedroom (and our King, yes King size bed).
Please please let the day be bright enough, or the rain light enough that I don’t end up kicking myself for sleeping in the spare bed. Thankfully only one of the cats has bothered to sleep with me and I can cope with that.
Most of all about the rain I don’t want wet feet. I suffer terribly from socks rubbing my toes and end up with bruised toes. The rain will probably make it worse - earlier.
People at work have been asking over the last few days if I’m ready. I guess I am. There’s nothing else to be done. No more training will make a difference - in a positive way. It’s just making sure I’m hydrating myself enough before the big day. That’s usually my downfall.
Everything else is pretty easy. It’s not the first 1/2 marathon I’ve run (the second though), but it is the first after several injuries and I want to finish in a better time than last - and that’s the challenge I’ve set myself.
I’ll be running my own race, focused on my breathing and keeping a steady pace. Making sure I swing my arms properly to avoid the tension build up that cripples me at the end when all movement ceases.
I’m sure at the end we’ll just scuttle away and get on with ordinary life and I’ll be able to chalk up another event. I’ll have my medal of course.
Life seems so busy that there’s not time to reflect on the glory or consider the things that went well. There’s always enough time to think about the things that could have been done better That’s not necessarily a bad thing if it means improvements next time round.
I’m sure the atmosphere will be terrific. There will be people there more enthusiastic than me, that have bigger accomplishments than mine. It’s their excitement I feel and get wrapped up in. I smile to myself when I overhear conversations from people who are new, that this is their first, their trepidation and yet their triumph will be enjoyed more than mine.
One thing that worries me after completing the run is that I don’t actually have another event planned. I’ll feel like a bit of a drifter not knowing what’s next, where I’m headed, aimless in a sense.
I would like to complete an off-road running event. What I know about them in zilch other than it’s something I’ve not done before and I prefer the challenge of doing something new to repeating something (she says now running the SBS for a 2nd time).
So, to Sunday - to the start line - to the finish line!
Enjoy your run!