In 24 hours, I would have long since (hopefully) completed my very first 1/2 marathon...the Ficksburg Cherry Festival 1/2 Marathon (In Afrikaans: Kersie-Wedloop) to be exact! This is it...the midpoint in my ultimate goal to completing the Publix Georgia Marathon (no longer the "ING Georgia Marathon"). This is also the halfway point in my training schedule...I started training four months ago (August) and I have four more months to go. Tomorrow, November 20th, 2010 is four months exactly to the day of "the big one". At 6:30 am, I will begin my quest to running 13.1 miles and in four more months, I'll be running double that distance-26.2 miles- halfway across the world in Georgia, US of A.
With all of these halves and midways, I just hope that all of this training, preparation, swollen ankles, sore knees, and official gym rat status will all add up to a whole...a whole 1/2 marathon completed...a whole marathon completed.
This evening, I will carb load like there is no tomorrow. Upbeat music will be blasting to keep the momentum going. My camera will be charged and ready for tons of pictures (even if I have to get a random cherry fest-goer to take them). Ankles will be iced. The classic movie "Coming to America" will be playing (random, yes, I know). Bed time will be early. All of this in preparation for a 4:30 am wake up- an hour drive to Ficksburg- late registration (R65 + a R12 temporary runner license)- and a 6:30 am starting time!
Although I'm a bit nervous, I'm ready to get this party started! Wish me luck and I'll see you on the other side...of 13.1 miles!
Until next time...one foot in front of the other...keep it movin'!
Yours in (I'm about to run a half marathon) training!!!!!!,
Dani
...And in the immortal words of Spongebob Square Pants...(say it with me now...) "I'm ready! I'm ready! I'm ready!I'm ready!"
