Okay lets talk marathon.

I am for some reason having a hard time admitting it.  I think I have only said it out loud two or three times. I don't know that I have actually written it down.. it is becoming evident from my long runs though.   This week is a cutback week and my long run tomorrow is 10 miles. Next week I run 20.  Then a 10, then a 20 and then I'm tapering,

Why is it so hard?  Do I want to do it really? Just say it already!

I'm training to run a marathon in September and am really only two 20 mile runs away from taper!

Whew...that kind of feels good to spit out there!

I'm planning to run the Bozeman Marathon, I ran the half there two years ago and loved the course. We are going to Bozeman Saturday to watch the kick off game for Bobcat football and then we will spend the night and I will run the marathon in the morning while my kids play in the pool at the hotel.

The course is slightly uphill for the first half and downhill for the last half. A friend of mine ran it last year and loved it.

I haven't been super tempted to run another marathon, but then

• I realized I turn 40 next year and suddenly it was on my 40 things to do before 40 list
• My little sister is running her first marathon this year too
• I just feel good
• My friend who ran it last year talked me into it
• I am going to be in Bozeman anyway

Do I have goals for the marathon? in short yes, of course! I want to finish and I want to beat my first and only marathon time of 3:56:55   I do believe this could happen as long as I don't go out too fast and am feeling good.

My long run pace has been holding just under 9 minute miles and with a little race day magic, I could PR! Ultimately I just want to finish and have a better experience than my first marathon.