The pre-race conversation

Mind: I'm a little worried about Sunday

Body: Here we go....

Mind: I mean, I haven't run fast in 2 months. How am I supposed to do it now?

Body: Are you kidding me?

Mind: Have I told you our goal?

Body: Remember May when you made me do the last half? THAT was crazy. I was in terrible shape.

Mind: Yeah...

Body: Look at me. Remember how I looked in May?

Mind: Yeah, you were kind of flabby, I guess

Body: You weren't all that together, either, remember?

Mind: Do we have to get into the name calling? It was a difficult time...

Body: Exactly! And now look at us. I'm looking better than I have ever looked, I'm fueled better than ever, and I have muscles!

Mind: Come to think of it, I've been pretty good lately too. I haven't missed a workout in 10 weeks. I wake up refreshed, I'm confident, I'm happier than I've been in years...

Body: Now you've got it. Now that I have you back on track, we have to go through our plan on Sunday

Mind: Right, race plan, I almost forgot. What are you thinking?

Body: I'll take the first 10 miles. You have to let me go out easy. It's how I work. Start out the first mile slow. I don't want to see the clock read anything lower than 9:30 at mile 1. The congestion should help this. Don't let it frustrate you. We need to start easy! Don't worry, we'll make it up.

Mind: Okay, start easy. Mile 1 9:30

Body: After the mile marker we are going to pick it up. The beginning of the race is downhill. We are going to use that to our advantage. I want to see you hold the next 10K at 8:40 miles.

Mind: Geez... are you sure we can do that?

Body: Trust me!!!!

Mind: Fine. Then what

Body: At mile 7 we can ease off a little bit. Stop at some aid stations, I need you to drink some gatorade and take a GU. I'm taking the next 3 miles at 8:55. That takes me to your territory.

Mind: What do you mean?

Body: When we get to mile 10 I'm going to hurt. My wheels are going to come off, my joints will hurt, and I am going to want to stop. Your turn. I'm only leaving you 5k, so quit your bitching and drive!

Mind: Okay, okay. It's mile 10... I say we hammer it! Pain is weakness leaving your body. We are going to push harder. We are going to push a little harder for everyone who thinks we can't do it. We are going to push harder because Steve can't. We are going to push harder because we are healthy. We are going to push harder because of how happy we are to be alive. We are going to push harder because we want to get in line to get our picture taken with Elvis!

Body: You were doing so well, why did you have to bring the King into this?

Mind: I'm just saying the line might be long...

Body: Whatever gets the job done.

Mind: I'm so glad we had this conversation. I'm feeling better already!

Body: Great. Can we go to sleep now?

Mind: Right, you probably need some extra rest. Sorry about that.

Body: Whatever...