Now that I've reached my goal of raising $7000 for The Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock my focus has shifted to the race. My goals remain much the same as they were in the beginning. The difference is that five months ago I announced those goals almost with embarrassment, as if it was "too big" of a goal, to much of a difference from my previous PR to overcome. But now after five months of hard work I can say with confidence that my goal of running 1:35 is within reach. I know it is. Not a wishful hoping. A confidence because I know I've done the work necessary to reach that goal. That doesn't mean I don't have doubts. They have certainly been present this past week as I've tapered down my mileage. On the days off those doubt voices are even harder to quiet. But I try to think of strong workouts I've had. I also think about the reason why I'm running: Jack and the many children and families served by CHaD. The Race: The course is three loops, each passing though the center of Hanover, NH and the Dartmouth College campus. The second loop takes us across the Connecticut River into Norwich, VT. To say that the course will be picturesque is kind of an understatement, the area up there is absolutely beautiful and with the color of the fall leaves I'm sure it will be amazing. There are few hills along the course, but nothing I'm concerned about. Embrace the hill. Right?!

Time:The race starts at NOON. Yep. You read that right noon. That's typical of maybe a winter race, but not so typical of a fall race. At first I was worried. We've had some unseasonably warm temps around here lately, up into the 70's. But race day looks like a high of 55 or so, which is perfect.

Goals: When it comes to specific goals for the race they are a) to finish in the top five women b) to run 1:35 c) to PR.

Race Plan: My plan is to start slightly slower that goal pace (7:15). The 5K starts at the same time so it would be easy to get pulled out too fast. I'll have to really keep that first mile in check. Then I'll focus on staying at or around race pace and see how it goes from there. I want enough left to go all out and really race the last three.

Nerves: I've put a lot into this race. Not just the time on the road training but the fundraising too. Honestly I've put my heart and soul into it. This is race is special, so different from any other race I've ever run and there is so much emotion behind it. Everything that Jack has been through, all the kids and families that we have met through CHaD: the pain, the heartache, the sorrow, the joy, the worry, everything it's all there inside of me churning around. Every time I think of the race I get a nervous swell of adrenaline. It is possible that I could waste a lot of energy letting all this nervousness and emotion take over, I plan to use some of my hypnobirthing breathing techniques on race day to keep myself calm and relaxed. Hey, it worked for labor why not this?! And even though so much has gone into this race I want to keep things in perspective: on Monday I'll be back home doing all the normal Monday-things that we do. Yes, I've invested a lot of myself into this but it is not what defines me. It would be easy to let it. I really appreciate, my friend Michele's post on this. She was completely candid in sharing her experience with her spring marathon. Reading her post a couple weeks ago really gave me much needed perspective, not just on my training (I needed to check the intensity and take it down a notch) but also on race day. Thanks Michele!

There is no runner tracking but I'll be posting on Instagram and Twitter if you want to follow me on race day. And if you live in the Hanover, NH or Norwich, VT area please come out and cheer!

How do you deal with race day nerves? How do you quiet the doubt?

--Sarah

CHaD HERO Half Goals and Race Plan

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