>There are officially less than two weeks until the Cleveland Half Marathon…..complete panic mode now. I’m starting to stress and get really nervous about all of this. The fact that I’ve never run a half marathon makes me wonder what have I gotten myself into. I have no clue what to expect from this race.

I hope to get one more long run in and then just run between 3-5 miles the rest of the days. Carbo load is something I fully plan on taking full advantage of. And of course tons of water and powerade. Everything is starting to come together. I just hope I’m ready for it.

>Looking back and thinking I had months to prepare for the half are now starting to make me sick. I’m not where I wanted to be in my original training plan, and after the past week and a half I feel like I’ve taken a step back. I was getting great miles in, and then life got to busy to take that step out onto the pavement. I have the next 16 days without any classes, vacations or set in stone plans that will take me away from my training. My hope is that out of these 16 days, I’ll run at least 14. I’m cutting it close to the race, but I think as long as I stay committed I’ll be fine. I know I can do this race, it’s my nerves, and the time left, they’re both getting the best of me.

>I got a great workout in last night. After work, I headed out to the metro parks, wind and some rain included, but it was the best run I’ve had yet. I was in that nothing-is-going-to-stop-me mode. I wanted to keep running, but knew my body would hate me the next day. It brought back memories of running in college, when I could keep running for miles at a time. That’s when I was in the best shape of my life. Only 32 days left, and I know I can do this. I have to prove it to myself that I will be able to run 13.1 miles. It may take a bit of time convincing myself, but at least I’m putting in the miles, and that has to show for something.

>Ok, so after having thunderstorms all day, I only found it fitting that I use the saying from April showers bring May flowers. It’s a nice change though, rain and 60 degrees compared to snow and 30 degrees, that will probably only last a day or so. I’ve spent the last three days working out, and actually working hard. April is the month that will determine everything. I have to put lots of miles in if I want to semi enjoy running 13.1 miles. I’ve learned that having one long day a week makes everything else seem easy, and makes the long day actually mean more. I’m excited to see how much I can accomplish and how great it will feel to be back in shape again. Happy running!

>There are now 47 days left until the Cleveland Marathon takes over downtown. It’s amazing how quickly the time has flown by and how little I have prepared. This past week was probably my most productive, and I plan on changing that. I spent my Sunday afternoon running with Melissa, my farthest distance yet, plus some hills. Hills are a little challenging for us up north. You don’t really have actually hills here, you have man made ones in the parks. This will do. However, we used to train on the giant hills of Southern Ohio. Muskingum was known for having the hardest course in all of the OAC because of this, which is why no one ever wanted to run there.

Melissa and I created a new training schedule, one that will actually be easier to follow and help me get to my goal by the race. I plan on following this as much as I can. Seriously only 47 days left? I hope I’m ready for this!

>Sometimes running with someone else makes it easier. Considering it was 30 degrees, windy, raining, and chance of hail, that isn’t something I want to venture out in my own in. I ventured out to the east side and met with Muskie alum Melissa to run. I’ll be honest, I’m not in as good as shape and I want and hoped to be by now. She’s been running much more than I have, and I know I definitely need to step it up. There are less than 2 months now!

We did a loop through the neighborhood. It was cold, windy and not ideal conditions, but I did it. I’m feeling it today that’s for sure! But overall I felt great. She’ll be making a new training plan, since I was unable to stick to mine. You learn, this whole half marathon idea still isn’t real to me. I guess it will be when I’m at the starting line.

Went out to dinner afterward, and tried this amazing little cafe in the mall. It had crepes, juice, and smoothies. Being healthy I got cranberry juice and then a chocolate and strawberry crepe. Okay, maybe not so healthy, but delish!

>I’m back, and not only with this blog, but with running. I’ve been consumed with papers, projects, meetings and everything else under the sun. Unfortunately, not running. But that needs to change, 58 days left after all. That number still seems so far away.

Yesterday was beautiful out. About 45 degrees with sun. I can thank daylight savings for that one. I felt good, and it gave me time to think. I was also able to pull out a good distance and pace after not running for almost two weeks. I must say, having the metro parks outside my doorstep will make training so much better now that the weather is nice. It’s pretty much the reason I decided on my apartment.

I also thought about my blogging. I don’t have to blog only after a workout. I’m going to start blogging about more of my running, past, present, future, and things involved around running. Who knows, maybe I’ll even start to love blogging.