Just keep running, just keep running...

To make sure that I kept up with training after completing Ironman Arizona, I made sure to sign up for a race in January.  I decided to go with the Endurothon half-marathon in Bulverde because it was close to home and only $25.00!  The bad side is that it's a fairly hilly course (one friend would call it mountainous).  So I am officially on a "running" training plan from my coach.  It still includes some swimming  (which I have not done!) and biking, but the majority of the plan, of course, is running.  I have never done a running plan before and, yup, there's a lot of running!  Running and I have had a love/hate relationship these past few years in triathlon.  There have been days that it just feels like the most wonderful thing in the world and days where I just wanted to throw my running shoes in the trash and say, "screw it".  But man, when you do have a great run, you just feel like the best runner in the world.  These are the things I have to remember when I'm looking at my plan and see all the run days scheduled.      

So far the plan hasn't been too bad, but it's picking up now that I'm three weeks into it.  And, now that I'm mostly recovered from Arizona and picking up my training more, my HR is staying in the zones I want it to and my legs and body feel great (minus the few neck and back aches and pains I've been having off and on).  I'm really excited to see how I can do at this half-marathon considering the only stand-alone half-marathon I've ever done is the San Antonio Rock 'n Roll race.  I know this race is going to be challenging but I'm ready to see what my running legs have got to give!