Happy hump day! Hope you’re having a great Wednesday. Mine is okay minus the fact that my race is getting closer and closer. I’m nervous!

Yesterday was completely exhausting for me. Work was nonstop all day, and then I taught 2 Jazzercise classes last night. It’s taper week, right? Yep, but this instructor doesn’t really like to rest.

I woke up early to get in my scheduled shorter run this morning. I ran 4.5 miles at a fairly easy pace (around 9 min/mile), and it was nice to get out in the cold morning air and do what I love. When I took off from my driveway, I was sure to keep an eye on my current pace (on my app!) because I want to know what I should feel like when I start out a little slower than normal pace on Saturday. My ideal race pace would be 8:30/mile overall for the half marathon, but I need to begin the race a little slower so I don’t bonk on the crazy big hills. I’m hoping for a 8:45-9 min/mile pace for the first 2ish miles, and then I’ll speed up when I feel warm and not headed uphill. But then again, this is my first half. I know I need to stop focusing on numbers and just run comfortably to cross the finish line. No matter what time I get, it will be a personal record! And one that I can beat later on. 🙂

Preparation Anxiety

I’m starting to have some serious anxiety about packing correctly for the weekend. Isn’t that dumb? It’s the Type-A side of me that always takes over before something exciting happens…like my race!

The forecast for STL on Saturday morning is giving me some mixed emotions…

Based on this forecast from the local station, KMOV, my run will be below freezing, windy, and possible snow. Hmm. I know this is what I have trained for all winter, but I would really prefer for wind and snow to stay away. 🙂 The low temp on Friday night is what’s stressing me out the most. With my run at 8:30 am, there won’t be much time for any warming on Saturday morning! I’ll be okay, but I may have to pack 2 bags. I have way too many scenarios to pack for now! The pressure!! I need to pack…

• Warmer weather clothes, just in case it gets freakishly warm!
• My ear warmer and 2 pairs of gloves.
• 2 options for bottoms (my lululemon tights and then some looser track pants I can put over the top)
• 2-3 long sleeve tops + my puffer vest
• Rain jacket
• Socks + Compression sleeves and socks (for after)!
• Favorite sports bra
• Running shoes, obviously!

And once again, I talk (or type) out things that are stressing me out to help me remember! So thanks for listening to my ramblings. It helps me cope. 🙂  I’ll also be bringing along my hand-held bottle and my favorite Jelly Belly Sports Beans to help fuel me mid-race. I think I have a pretty good fueling-regimen in place to get me to the finish line without hitting a ‘wall’ of any sort, but we’ll wait to see how it holds up before I share.

Breakfast

This morning started out on a good note with some new yogurt I picked up over the weekend!

This apple pie-flavored Greek yogurt was as awesome as it sounds. I could’ve eaten multiple cups of it in one sitting it was so tasty! I also had a big ole cup of oatmeal on the side to fill my tummy post-run.

It kept me full for most of the morning. Plus, oats are great for carb-loading a few days out. A little early carbo loading never hurt anyone. 🙂

I’ve been begged to sub a Jazzercise class tonight right after work to help cover some ill instructors. I know I need rest, but when the instructor begging you for help is sick AND pregnant, you tend to just give in. ha! So I’ll be teaching at 5:40 again tonight before heading home to pack up everything on my list. I definitely will NOT be doing any intense leg routines tonight – that’s for sure!

Have a great night everyone. Let’s hope we can all get some well-deserved rest!