In one week...

My very first 10K (6.2 mile) race is one week from today! I thought this would be a good time for a quick update on how my running is going.

I'm continuing to learn new things about running. Things like...

• If you want to lengthen your stride, focus on what your arms are doing. Your legs will mimic your arms.
  
• I enjoy running a lot more when I go slowly instead of constantly trying to improve my pace. I imagine that in the long run (no pun intended), enjoying it will be crucial to my motivation.
• Lined running shorts are made to be worn without underwear. (Hey, these are important things to know!)

My training is going well. I actually thought the race was today, and Tuesday a friend informed me my dates were wrong! Needless to say, I was glad she told me! That gave me an extra week to train, which is great.

Yesterday I ran 49 minutes 17 seconds and went 4.29 miles. Next week will be the first time I've ever run 6.2 miles; I imagine my longest run this week will be a little over four and a half miles.

I actually feel ready. When I pace myself very slowly, I always feel that I could keep going at the ends of my runs. I plan for my longest run this week to be 53 minutes, and the race will probably take me about 15 to 20 minutes longer than that. My goal is to (very slowly) run the entire thing. I think...and hope...that God's given me the strength to do that!

This is the biggest 10K in my state. Last year there were over 15,000 runners. (Yes, that's the correct number of zeroes.) The good news about that is, due to the crazy numbers of people on the road, the pace at the starting line will be very slow for those of us who aren't at the front. (Slow runners like me are definitely not placed at the front!) Starting slowly seems to be crucial to my endurance, and I won't have a choice but to start slowly!

Seven more days.... I'm so excited!