Like other competitive walkers, I have goals.

Sometimes it is as simple as finishing a race with friends. Sometimes I plan to beat one specific person. (Sorry Pat.)

Sometimes, I have planned and trained for an entire year just to PR in the same half marathon that I didn’t PR in last year – by 12 seconds.

This is the year with the bold, aggressive plan for a big PR at the Columbus Marathon half tomorrow.

Typically, I am confident with my training. I follow my schedule and I’m ready. This year is a little bit different. I have finished a lot of half marathons in a very short amount of time. This Columbus Marathon will be my 6th half marathon this year and my third in five weeks.

I need a race plan if I’m going to accomplish this goal. I can’t just line up at the start and wing it.

So for the last couple of hours, I have been studying my half marathon history. (Thank goodness for Garmin Connect!) Do I typically speed up at the end? Do I usually start races slow? What is my fastest mile? Can I be fast in the last mile?

My goal is a 2:51 half marathon. And that pace scares me. Why? I was at that pace last year – only one second per mile slower. I can be a second per mile faster, I know I can. But when you look at what it mean per mile — wow. I never thought I could get that fast.

So, now I really need to make a plan. It’s getting late, I need to go to bed, and I need a plan.

Why am I stressing? I got this!

Read more about why I continue to enter this half marathon at 10 Things to Like about the Columbus Marathon (Half).

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