Honestly, it was a bit of a shock to read this on our way to the start. I immediately began thinking about all the hard training I put in over the past couple of months and planning to go out and set a marathon PR. But, dwelling on what was but no longer is, is an exercise in futility. So, in the course of a crushing minute, we decided we’d run the 1/2 marathon and go try to set our PRs there.

The morning leading up to any race is always a time warp. One minute you’re making breakfast, gathering your belongings, and dealing with the anxious energy of wanting to perform well. The next minute you’re standing at the starting line, running through a final mental checklist, and still dealing with the anxious energy of wanting to perform well.

And just like that, the race begins.