When Your Coach Says Hills Are Your Friend, Listen

National Half Marathon, 3/29/08, Ele-freakin-vation Map

This should be fun! Right? RIGHT?

To prepare, I ran 3 miles on Monday, swam 1100 yards on Tuesday, ran 3 miles today, and so far? My #@!@# plantar fasciitis hurts when I'm sitting, and I have a new ache in my right quad.

Coach says:

For the race, start out slow (the hills lie ahead, midway through) and pick up your pace after McMillan Reservoir. Running past it is uphill, but once you crest a slight ridge and start down Michigan Avenue, it is rolling hills. From studying the topographical map, there is a two mile downhill stretch a mere half a mile away; once you take a right onto North Capitol Street the slight downhill grade opens up before you. Go for it if you have energy left. There is still a ways to go, but the high climb in the race is behind you.

Damnit, I'm going to have fun and I'm going to do my best if it's the last thing I do.