Racing in 2013

Looks like it is going to be a GREAT day!  I checked my email this morning, while laying in the warm comfort of my own bed, and found this:
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Dear Once and Future Runner (obviously I changed this):

Congratulations! You have been chosen in the lottery and are officially registered for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run on April 7, 2013. We are looking forward to a spectacular day in the Nation's Capital.

If you haven't already, you'll receive an additional email from Marathonguide.com, our registration provider, outlining your credit card charges. Please note that the charges will show as being from "Marathonguide.com" on your statement.

If you did not enroll in our free ten-week Online Virtual Training Program for the 10 mile or our On-site Training Program hosted by Potomac River Running, you will have an opportunity to sign up in January.

No Additional Purchases
During registration you did not opt to purchase the shirt upgrade, finisher medal or packet delivery. You may still add a shirt upgrade, medal or packet delivery to your registration by visiting the Purchase Additional Items Form.

There was obviously more to the Email, but it seemed silly to post the whole thing.  But, this has confirmed that I WILL be racing in 2013, come hell or high water!  It also means, I need to figure out what I my race schedule is going to look like this coming year. 

Bad Run! Bad Run! NO COOKIE FOR YOU!

[caption id="attachment_735" align="alignright" width="213" caption="The cause of my Alcohol-Induced-lllness."][/caption]

So, as you my readers may already know - I was a complete slacker last week and did not run like I should have.  This trend continued on sunday when - due to my alcohol-induced-illness (combined with countless family visits), my long-run did not happen.  However, since i am such a conscientious runner (with an over-active sense of guilt), I felt I should make up my long run last night.  Luckily - we have a the Greater Binghamton Bridge Run Half-Marathon course that was mapped out and certified right in town AND it goes right by my house.  How perfect is that?

So after my wife got home from work, off I went with my trusty water bottle!  I was a little frustrated as my Droid X doesn't seem to have a functional GPS anymore.  I'm not sure if it is a hardware error, or something with a recent update to the Maps/Navigation. 

[caption id="attachment_734" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Map of the Bridge Run Half Marathon Course"][/caption]

  For this run - I was using a pre-mapped course so while I wouldn't have my splits (Frustrating), I would at least know exactly how far I went! 

I took it nice and slow, with no worry about how fast/far I was going.  (This was very easy to do as I didn't have a phone with GPS to give me splits or let me know what my pace was.)