It’s half time…marathon, that is

Yep. It’s happening.

I got it in my crazy head to do another half marathon, 10 years later! I kept looking at my calendar to figure out when it might happen sometime in 2012, but the courses in Italy often fall on dates I’m not free or can’t train and in the summer it’s much too hot. I wanted to do a “destination race” but also dealing with jetlag and having to plan so far ahead for a trip I haven’t confirmed is a bit nerve-wracking.

So when I booked my summer trip back to the States, and realized not only would the SF Marathon fall during those dates and so jet lag would be moot, and my best friend is already running the full marathon, I thought…why not? 2 clicks and 1 credit card payment later – I’m registered. 

I chose the 1st half of the (full) marathon course which means I’ll be crossing the Golden Gate bridge again, just like my first half marathon. I am really excited about this as it’s exhilarating to watch the city in the distance and have the bay beneath your feet.

I’m not sure if in 2002 I thought I would be running a half in 2012, but I definitely know I didn’t think I could or would just a few years ago. I’m so glad to be able to prove that self wrong.

While I would love to break my previous time (2:06), I also have less time to train than before, and I’m just excited to do it again and can focus on improving for future races. For now, I need to focus on finishing 🙂

I only have 8 weeks to prepare! I dug out some old half marathon training guides and found several online, and I’m working on adapting one now for the time I have left. I’m glad that I already have a great cross-training activity picked out (my cardio/weight classes) and can focus on figuring out where I’ll do my long runs here in Milan (and doing them early so I don’t get overheated from the heat!)

Oh, and San Francisco is cold in the summer. So I’ll have to plan what I’ll wear race day vs. the humid heat I have here.

I’m buzzing with excitement. Who wants to join in??