2:10 to Penguinland.

I can't believe Judi talked me into this.

I ran the 1/2 on my marathon day in 2:26. I know if I didn't have 13 more miles in front of me I could easily have been below 2:20. I was thinking 2:15 was a realistic goal. Then Judi said 2:10 - a 10 minute mile- and I couldn't help but want it.

The race* is 13 weeks from Sunday. I've got a plan. I've never actually raced for time before, and since I lived in DC 2 years ago I haven't actually trained-trained for anything. Here's the plan...
1. I'm training for race pace. Using the McMillan calculator, I know how fast to run for 3 miles, 5, etc.
2. I'm going high tech. I signed up for Training Peaks and bought a Forerunner. I can load my training plan onto my Garmin and then upload the workout data into training peaks.
3. I'm going to race a 5k and a 10k on the way, making sure I'm on track for my race.
4. I'm reinstating the 2 drink a day rule (and 12 oz of wine is not 1 drink!)
5. Audrey and I joined a gym last night. I used to be a complete gym rat in DC but haven't belonged to one since I moved. Now, cross training really means cross training. Lots of weights.

Easy peasy, right? Yeah.

ALSO... the track. Sigh. I was thinking of hitting up clinic tonight and then realized I was terrified at the idea. I went to the track twice last year and witnessed 2 bad crashes, one that sent a junior off in an ambulance. I have a healthy list of excuses aside from that (I'm still in post-marathon recovery, I already ran today, I haven't reglued my tires for the season) and I'll just watch Hell's Kitchen instead tonight. Thursday I'll go spectate or something.

AND... if Treadfest is going to be a Mudfest, Ben's talking about just staying home. I have to agree. It's a big effort to get there and it's not worth it if it's going to make us miserable.

*The CDC is owned by Bingham, one of those odd running gurus, whose followers are called "penguins." Hence, penguinland. who knew that you could OWN a race?