Ready...Set...Go!

Months of training or about a years worth actually come down to this. Tomorrow I will run the 5/3 River Bank Run 25k.  A race a couple years ago I said I'd "never" run (if I'd only known then what I know now - hindsight being 20/20 and all). 

Throughout this journey, I've had ups (a few sub-30 5k training runs, my fastest 6 and 10 mile runs EVER, a great 10 mile race) and downs (more than a few crappy runs, sickness, back issues, self-doubt).  But, I've also had a tremendous support system.  From my family who has put up with a crazy training schedule, to my bloggy, twitter, facebook, and DailyMile friends who have cheered me on from afar.  I wouldn't be approaching that starting line tomorrow morning without all of you.  So, THANK YOU.

The River Bank Run also has a great network of supporters.  I've done my first group training runs with the Grand Rapids Running Club Mentor Program and Strider's.  I've gotten to meet Road Warrior, Keith.  In fact, it was Keith who said it best on his blog this morning, "trust your training. You’ve put in the work for months, now just let it do the work for you. We can’t change circumstances of race day such as weather, fatigue, or that missed aid station. What we can do is enjoy the day no matter what. Embrace the thousands of other runners and all of the spectators and volunteers who are the heart of this race. They are the ones who, coupled with your training, will see you through to the finish line."  

I need to embrace the day.  I need to trust.  Trust that my body will know what to do.  Trust that my mind will let my body to its job.  Trust that God and the spectators on the course will get me to that finish line some 15.5 miles from where I started.  Only, it isn't just 15.5 miles.  It's a journey that's just getting started.