Its funny - I’m getting more worked up about this race than I have for a while. I guess its because its my first “long” race since the marathon back in February. So. Let’s get everything out of the way:

• I didn’t get to bed until 3am last night. I won’t get to bed until after midnight Thursday night. There’s nothing that I can do about either of these things, so I won’t worry about them. I will get a good night’s sleep on Saturday.
• The weather is going to suck. But it will suck for everyone. And some of the forecasts have dropped down to only 85% humidity!
• One pair of shoes is probably starting to break down. But I have another.
• I just remembered that I’m going to a Beastie Boys concert on Friday. I’ll let myself sleep in on Saturday morning.
• I don’t feel like I’m well-prepared for a hilly 10 mile race; but for many people just completing this distance would be a dream come true, and I will remember that while I run and try to keep smiling, no matter what.
• I may not do my mid-week long run, between work pressures and the weather. But that’s not going to make a difference this close to the race - if this was my end-goal instead of an interim race, I’d be tapering right now anyway.
• At some level, this is just a hilly training run with support and a shirt. I do wish that I could believe that one a little more.
• There’s a do-over in the form of the Motive Bison Stampede on November 21st in the same general area.
• I’ll do the first half of the race (including the worst hills) “comfortably” without worrying too much about my time. I’ll race the second half. I won’t obsess over my overall pace for this one.

And you know what? I am determined to enjoy myself on Sunday. Besides, whatever happens, its a guaranteed PR for me since its my first 10-mile race. So that’s cool. I’ll also be earning more money for Racing for the Trail (you can pledge here if you want to), which is a good thing.

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