Once again Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow and we have 6 more weeks of winter. Half way to the beginning of Spring (in the groundhog world) is the Mercedes Marathon, Half Marathon, and Regions Super Hero 5K.

It’s probably a little late to start training (ya think?) for most; however Run University has 151 runners training for Mercedes Full and Half (including charity runners) and 94 that will run their first 5K the day before making 2015 our most exciting year yet! And like Groundhog Day, next year we’ll do it all over again. But first…on to 2015!

Weeks after the Mercedes Weekend is over Run University will host it’s 2nd Annual Runner’s Retreat in the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s a 4 day 3 night retreat featuring trail runs, form analysis, yoga, pilates, drills, bar-b-q, functional strength training for runners and a whole lot of fellowship and fun. We have 17 rooms (all private with bath) and already we’re over half full. If you have interests or would like more information contact me.

We need to congratulate Amy Diaz on her 8:00 PR in the Louisiana Marathon in her hometown of Baton Rouge,

In the training cycle most are almost at the start of their taper period. The time we’ve all looked forward to, yet will have us jumping out of our skin as we inch closer to ‘run date’. Keep in mind that the ‘hay is in the barn’. There’s really nothing you can do after this weekend to make your run better; but there’s lots that can screw it up. Remember the ‘marathon’ was in the training and regardless of your goal, the actual event is a celebration.

Erin Hanson wrote a line, “And you ask, “What if I fall? Oh my darling, What if you fly?”

I usually encourage people to have 3 goals going in: 1) Best case, best day ever, scenario 2) Completely do-able, what I know I can do 3) Get the damn medal.

The first 2 are really, really fun days, especially after you cross the finish and you realize what you’ve done. However there are days when the wheels come off the wagon and the last 2/4/6 miles are sheer pain and torture. With each step you question why you keep going and why the vultures are circling over your head. A few days later you so remember why – the medal! It’s the tangible reward that shows you worked your ass off in all kinds of weather wondering at times if it was worth it. It’s proof positive you can set a goal, work towards it and regardless of outcome there ain’t no quit in you. That you will live to fight (run) another day even if at mile 24 there was serious doubt. That you did something that 98% of the people in this country can’t (or won’t) do and that makes you pretty damn special.

You did the runs, you put in the miles, in the cold, the heat, the wet, the dawn and you did it because YOU are worth it….and oh yes! You will fly!