Tough call, but still a winning decision

As you know, the Detroit Women's Half Marathon was my first Half Marathon in 2013.  I rocked that one.  I felt so good.  I remember telling my husband right after that I felt I could go do it all again.  Last year...not so much.  Illness preventing adequate training led to a race where I didn't feel I could give it my all, and suffered dehydration, muscle spasm...and diarrhea (EW!) from being ill-prepared.

I registered early for this year's, with a solid 18-week training plan and confidence to get through it.  Not much really got in the way of training, except for a few periods of no motivation, episodic depression, and the big barrier: stupid mobility issues.  If I tried to power through it, it just made recovery worse ie., muscle spasms, increased mobility issue, fatigue, electrolyte imbalance, fatigue, and...did I mention fatigue? Slept.  A LOT.

My sister, and virtual training partner, had a solid goal to run for the first time the whole 5K.  She had her own training issues this year, but it still ready to go out and give that course whatever she can.  After prayer and a lot of reflection, I decided to transfer my registration from the Half to the 5K today.  I have major reservations because I still wonder if I have 13.1 miles in me.  I wanted to experience the 2nd anniversary of this race WITH them, as it's their 3rd Half as well.  Kind of like growing with that race, you know?  BUT, I want to be able to be there for next year's.  I want to be able to run the Detroit Freepress International Half I have planned in 5 weeks.  I want to be able to keep in this sport, in some capacity, for as long as I can.  So I had to make the smart decision and adjust it to my current physical level.

I'm actually MORE excited now, though, because I'm running it with my sister.  I think being together is going to be great for both of us, and I'm looking forward to it inspiring us to keep at this.  Plus, we're doing more than our sister who's 8-months pregnant and just watching us... ;)  j/k, KK.

I'm hoping we can use this race as a baseline together and try to improve for another 5K we want to run together on October 4.  TOTALLY within our reach!!

I had ALL day today at home, alone, as my daughter was in school.  I planned last night I'll get in a nice long run effort today.  How far did I make it, you wonder? Not even off the couch.  I slept nearly all day and applied for jobs the other small part of it that I was awake.  See why I had to transfer registrations?  *smirk*

Seriously, if you're in the market for a completely amazing, women empowering, fun, beautiful 5K or Half Marathon this Sunday, get in on the action with the Detroit Women's Half Marathon and 5K.  They offer a crazy cool Expo at Cobo Center on Saturday, a fantastic pasta dinner at Andiamo's, a pajama party complete with yoga, stretching, and tea, and a FEAST at the completion of both races.  Try it once and you'll be back next year, I promise!