Rock and Roll Philadelphia.

Well, I have my second major fitness test of the season, after failing my first. This weekend I’ll be in Philadelphia for the Rock and Roll half marathon. I’ve run it before, in 2014. It was the second race I ever ran and I felt really proud of myself after it. I ran it some 20 minutes faster than my prior race, the Pittsburgh half marathon, and finished it in 2:17 and change.

This weekend the weather will be similar to a little worse than that day. A touch more humid, perhaps. A few degrees warmer. I’m certainly not as fit as I was for my last half marathon (road race) in April, when I ran a 1:59. But I suspect I’ll be able to beat 2:17. If I don’t, I don’t. I’m just going to go run with BB and collect a medal and get pancakes.

But I really hope that it’s not so bad as to need to walk. I’m really disappointed with that lately and feel like it means my mental toughness isn’t there right now. So much is purely mental. I’m not in terrible shape. I have run well on occasion, and I’m as strong as I’ve ever been. My core is in good condition and I even did six chip-ups in a row yesterday, for the first time in my life.

But I didn’t put in the miles this summer, and I’m paying for it now. When the temperature drops, I think I’ll be fine for the marathon. As long as Nov. 20th isn’t 70 degrees, I think I’ll be in position to run 26.2 miles and improve my time from last year. For now, this weekend, my goal is just to finish the race on my feet and see how it feels to run in race conditions.

Both last year and the year before I ran half marathons in September at 65+ degrees with 90% humidity. Two years ago I ran 2:17. Last year it was 2:04. If I’m anywhere in that range, I’m gonna be pleased. I don’t need to be perfect. I don’t need to set a new record. I just need to go out and do something I enjoy and give my best effort. That’s all I can do.