Ready or Not...(and Harvest 5k)

I ran the Harvest 5k Saturday morning.  On my training schedule were 3 miles at half marathon pace and I thought a 5k fit well enough.  Sadly, there was a poor turnout.  This is a very nice, easy route.  They have lots of door prizes and they give the cutest tiny tractors as awards.  It was pretty cold and maybe that kept people from participating.  Unfortunately, I did not run what I consider to be my normal cold weather (as-good-as-it-gets) 5k pace.  I'm not sure why. 



Chris, Beth, Jenny, Me and Kitty
We think our tractors are sexy (thanks to Mr. Chesney!)

I try very hard not to be that runner. You know the one who is never happy after a race. The one that complains loudly about how awful they ran, and listing all the reasons why, and usually all the while kicking your tail.  I want to say, "Please just stay home"!  But I must confess...I go there sometimes in my head.  I love to run.  I love to race.  But I think I put too much pressure on myself to reach certain time goals.  I try my best to keep it all in perspective and remember, every race cannot be a PR!  {Repeat Often}


Half Fanatic Trio 
(Me, Valerie & Jenny)


It was fun to meet and chat with another half fanatic, Valerie.  We compared races and our upcoming schedules.  There are not many of us around these parts.  I was testing out my new half fanatic buff and she spotted the logo.  It was also very good to see my good friend Jenny, also a half fanatic, back after her short hiatus.  {Go team WH.}


Well, I'm headed off to Tulsa this week for the Route 66 half marathon.  Ready or not, here I come.  If I base my projected finish on my last few races, my time will not be what I want.  I'm not being negative here, just realistic.  My secret "don't-want-to-say-out-loud-goal" is to run a sub 2:00.  It very well may not happen as I feel my speed is just not there right now.  Oh, I'll try, because it is not impossible.  However, everything would have to come together perfectly...birds must sing, angels descend, and the running fairy must sprinkle me with a full sack of kick-butt dust.  However, I am feeling really good after Sunday's last long 12.7 mile run, so -- maybe.

My secondary, and probably more realistic, goal is to beat my last year's time.  A 2:05 or below will do.  Regardless of my finish time, it will be a great trip.  I get to spend time with my sister and my youngest son is going along.  We'll have loads of fun torturing hanging out with him.