Dread

So it finally hit me this evening – I’m actually dreading the New Haven 20K. I am grossly unprepared, and know it.

I’m not dreading it as far as a social event goes – for that, it’s the apex of my running calendar for 2006.

I’m not dreading it for the course – looking back on last year, after running Mystic Places and NYC Marathon, the little hill through the park at about mile 10? No sweat. If anything, knowing the course is a plus – I’ve done it, I know what to expect, the forecast looks like beautiful weather – should be a great run.

No, I’m dreading it ’cause I’m not prepared. I’ve been pretty slack as far as training goes this summer. Not bad, mind you – I’ve been close to averaging 20 mile weeks, and haven’t gone more than a week without running for a while. But, the long runs have slipped in favor of the kids and the bed on the weekend, and the cross-training just hasn’t been there this year.

In short, running and I have been on a fling, and I love it more now than I have ever before, probably ’cause I’ve been approaching running on MY terms, not hers.

And next Monday she’s going to make me pay for not paying her full attention…

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Which will probably make me love her more.