Winter or Spring, Which is it?

I sit here and look out the window as my oldest plays with Chloe outside. You would think that they would be playing catch like Chloe and I did yesterday. Sun and warm weather in the 60's lead us outside for her to get her run on. Of course she is still learning. She chases the ball and just stands there when she gets to it. Doesn't think to pick it up and bring it back to me. Maybe she is training me? Today it's a different sort of play. A shovel and about 3 inches of snow is one of Chloe's favorite things. The snow was gone for about 2 weeks and she missed it terribly. I on the other hand could do without the snow and wind.

Tomorrow I have the first race of the season. The Cary 1/2 marathon. On Thurs I dropped my son off at baseball practice and then headed back to the car with about a 100 yard jog. That was the first time my foot hit the pavement with more than a walk since last summer. All my miles have been on a treadmill due to my shin splints. Now I understand why. I had sneakers on but not my running sneakers. Well my leg ached for about 45 mins just from that short distance. My leg was not taped either. So I hope that will make a difference come tomorrow.

What will tomorrow bring? It is supposed to be in the 40's but the morning will probably be low 30's with wind. I can handle the cold, snow, heat, rain but wind I hate. I have numerous hills to climb on this course. I'll have a taped leg and new shoes. But that isn't going to help much with the size of the hills. I will be loaded with Advil and Tylenol, before during and after the race. My goal is simple, run no matter what the weather. Second goal is to finish. I typically don't have such a simple goal but I can't have too many expectations with my leg. If I really want to admit my secret goal it would be to run under 2:10. If I want to PR I would have to run under 2:04. I don't see that happening with the course that it is. But I certainly will have a go at it if all other things fall into place.

Let the season begin........