Half Marathon #5, Coming Right Up!

Tomorrow I’ll be running my 5th half marathon, my 3rd in about a month and a half. I can’t say I feel totally prepared for it. Yes, I know I’ll finish (hopefully without a problem) because I have the fitness under my belt. However, I haven’t gotten in a long run since 5/9 (13 miles) and that makes me nervous. I spent most of the week not really looking forward to it, until I remembered that I was asked to be on Team Mighty Matthew.

Can’t wait to earn this super cute medal! (Click to the source)

Matthew is a young boy from my area in NY with Mitochondrial disease, and many other related health problems. Before learning about him, I never even knew what Mitochondrial disease was. I’ve been reading his mother’s blog where she posts about his family’s journey, and it made me so happy that I was asked to run with this group by some ladies from my Saturday runs at Fleet Feet.

Image from http://mightymatthew.blogspot.com/

Throughout everything, Matthew seems to be so spirited and positive. He is an inspiring young man and I can’t wait to run for him on Sunday. Whenever I get tired or start to slow, I’ll think of how if he can fight every day, and deal with all of the medicines and surgeries, I can deal with 13.1 potentially rainy miles.

So while I had originally thought I was going to blow off making goals for the race and just do it, I’m taking the challenge in stride. I had two great halfs in April and hope to finish off my little half marathon streak in style!

Goal A: 2:11 (10:00 pace)

Goal B: sub 2:15

Goal C: PR (Sub 2:15:35)

I can’t wait to share with you all how this goes, as well as what I’ll be working towards after this race!