Whose Stupid Idea Was This? and Other Pre-Race Thoughts

First half marathon of the year in less than 12 hours! This is my seventh. And I'm sitting here thinking "whose idea was this anyway??" (My husband's) We thought we would be in Sarasota, Florida, and they're having their own version of the rock and roll half marathon tomorrow. Bands at every mile. It would be awesome!! (You can sign up for next year if you missed this one!) Then we found out we'd be in Palm Springs, California. Not really close enough to travel for the Sarasota race. But good news! Palm Springs has a half marathon too! 

So now it's the night before. I'm hydrated, carbo-loaded (sweet potato), rested (mostly...got more steps today than I meant to!), my outfit is laid out on the bed, the alarm is set for 5:30 am, and I've looked back at my training log to reassure myself that I CAN run thirteen point freaking one miles.

Here's what we runners tell ourselves (or at least me):

1. Just have to make sure to get to the bathroom first.
2. It's only thirteen miles. That's five miles twice, and you run at least five practically every day, plus a 5k. Anyone can run a 5k.
3. As long as I can run up this hill and pass the other runners, I'll be fine. I might even win! 
4. Favorite running shorts, check. Shoes, check. Socks, check. Body glide? Oh crap, I left the body glide at home! Can I use deodorant? Coconut oil? Run to the store for some Vaseline?? Maybe we'll get some in the race packet. None in the goodie bag....Crap crap crap.
5. Oh, look at her stretching. I should stretch. I totally stretch EVERY DAY before and after my run, like a good athlete. Oh yeah. There are my toes. 

Notice the course map. I hope it will be marked clearly - or that if I get lost, it shaves time off instead of adding four miles! There's an episode of The Middle where the daughter, Sue, joins the cross country team. She is very, very bad, to put it mildly, and gets kind of lost in the woods on top of being slow. She reasons to herself, "I can't see anyone else. I MUST BE FIRST." I hope I have that kind of optimistic race!