I’m about 18 hours out from my only goal race of the year.  I fully acknowledge that I haven’t been at my best this year.  I acknowledge that I’ve taken the easy way out and ran “for fun” a lot this year …. Never trying to push the pace to avoid disappointment.   It has taken me a lot longer to recover from last summer’s injury than I anticipated, whether that was mental or physical, I know not.  Probably a little bit of both if I’m 100% honest.

So needless to say I’m anxious.  I ran speed and tempos to prepare for this but the last two weeks I’ve done nothing other than “just run” & CrossFit.  I’m 5-6 lbs heavier than normal and am super thankful for having lost a few lbs this week.  I can’t decide what to wear.  I don’t really have a plan other than to try to focus my brain on “pushing” and not being intimidated by a pace that I am fully capable of managing.  I am visualizing a time on the clock that I can only hope is MY finish time.  I am not stressing about my stiff/sore back or my seemingly tired legs.  I’m not thinking about the 9th mile where I tend to fall off pace.  I’m not thinking about the weather which is going to be much warmer than I like.

What I am focused upon is giving the best that I have tomorrow, regardless of what the clock says at the end.  I’m focused on effort.  The time is NOW to push the pace and see what the last 5-6 months have given me in the name of strength and speed.   Historically speaking, the Fort4Fitness race brings out my best because it shows up on the calendar just as I start my taper for the Chicago Marathon.  It also helps that temps in the Midwest by late September are generally falling to the mid to low 40s at night.   Historically, I have ran fast in Fort Wayne, even when I’m injured and end up limping away from the race.  Today I am healthy.  I am strong.  I am ready.  The time is NOW to run fast and reap the benefits of months of hard work.  The time is NOW.

I’m excited.  I’m anxious.  I’m scared.  Not scared that I will fail.  I don’t believe anyone who has the courage to toe the line will ever fail but rather scared that I won’t have the courage to TRY to push a pace of which I know I am capable.  Tomorrow at this time, the results will be written.  Good, bad or otherwise, the ink will already be dry.  Can’t wait to see how this plays out. 

** The Time Is Now ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **