No Expectations; Relax!

It's fun to enter a race with no expectations.

To just hit the starting line ready for whatever comes your way and excited to just go.

Unfortunately, my brain is not programmed that way.

In my 10 years of competitive running. This type of race does not happen often.

It’s been hard to not set high expectations.

Even though, the goal after all is to test racing the half-marathon distance.  

But other time goals and expectations keep creeping in.

I want to win.

I want to set a course record.

I want to run a USATF Half Marathon championships qualifying time.

Relax. (I have to remind myself).

I want to rationalize my way into these being realistic expectations and goals.

But that is not the lesson to be learned.

I need to learn that trying my best on that day fulfills the goal of testing out racing the distance.

Other tough lessons I've had to learn and re-apply in this training phase:

Rest doesn't mean you’re weak or off “the plan.”

One bad workout doesn't mean your goals for the next race won’t be met.

With one workout and four days to go until my first half-marathon; I’m excited!