..oh yea..

Truthfully, I didn't forget. The first thing I consciously thought of as I crossed the finish line at last week's triathlon was 'Now on to the half marathon...' However, after a leisurely swim on Monday and starting the night shift (I could-- and might-- go into how terrible this is) on Tuesday, I haven't had a lot of time (or desire) to focus on the approaching race.

I have mixed feelings:

-It's a race-- a competition-- so of course I want to do well.
-It's a running race, so I won't do well.
-There's really nothing I can do at this point (nine days away) to make my chances any better
-...etc.

Ugh who knows. A couple of days ago, I received an informational email about the race. Towards the very end, the race regulations were listed. I stumbled upon this one and started flipping out:
RACE REGULATIONS
Participants will:
� not be allowed to wear headphones.
NO WAY! I can understand this for a triathlon-- swimming with headphones-- not good. Biking with headphones-- not safe. But running with headphones?! COME ON PEOPLE. Admittedly, I'd been warned that this anti headphone movement was coming. Last year at a Team in Training seminar (Triathlon 101) I learned about the no headphones rule for triathlons, and it was mentioned that running races were moving this way, too. I thought 'Psh, that's bogus!' and thought little of it. But apparently it's true. I have a genuine appreciation for rules as they create structure and safety. But honestly, I am planning on breaking this one because if I have ANY chance of finishing this race, headphones will be as necessary as shoes.

An article recently found its way to my inbox that addressed how to be faster (running and biking). "Offseason Intervention: Train Fast to Race Fast" profoundly stated in order to race faster you have to train faster. ..duh. If only it were that simple. Regardless of its '2+2=4' logic, it was interesting and explained physiology behind its concepts which I really appreciate.

..as promised: I hate the night shift SO stinkin' much I can't even handle it! I may have been quite the Pouty-Polly my first night back (Tuesday). I was greeted on Wednesday night by the scheduling-lady saying "You're off nights for October." She says I was 'next on the list' but I am quite curious if my less than awesome attitude played a role in this decision. I hate it when bad attitudes get the Negative Nancies of the world what they want, but this time I will be insanely grateful. Whether it was my crankiness or not-- I am so glad to only have to do this night shift charade for one month instead of two.