Ain't No Thang

I had a random thought yesterday as I was finishing up my time in the pool and thinking about the half marathon I am planning on racing tomorrow - when did 13.1 miles transition from a goal distance to a training run, or 'no big thing', or a 'non-event'?  Honestly - that's far!  And more importantly that's farther than a lot of people have run.  I should feel anxious, or tired, or something other than - 'I guess I'll race the Honeywagon Half on Saturday' (said with a shrug of the shoulders).

This random thought made me think back to my marathon training a few years ago.  I'm pretty sure EVERY mile of that training was hard.  I can't seem to distinguish in my head the difference I felt when I went out for a 20 miler vs. a 10 miler.  All I wanted to do when I got home was nap - either way.

Based on logical deduction, something I'm very good at as I'm swimming laps, it must have happened last year during my half Ironman training.  Which makes sense.  In a race that spans three sports and 70.3 miles, running is only 1/3rd of the race and 13.1 miles...well, that's nothing.  Not to mention running is the thing I'm good at.  Then I look at what I'm trying to tackle this year - a FULL Ironman.  Does 13.1 miles even factor in at that point?  My mind blows it off and says 'no' but of course it does.  I need to be prepared for every mile of that race but that's just it - I am already prepared for 13.1 at this point and am ramping up to 140.6.  Now that's a number I can't yet get my head around.

So, although 13.1 'ain't no thang' in the grander scheme of my race schedule this year it's still an accomplishment.  More importantly, it's still a race which means it'll be a challenge regardless.  I'm sure when I wake up tomorrow and toe the start line I'll feel the butterflies.  But until then, I'm blissfully aware that 13.1 is just another training day.