I actually have my first race of the year this weekend – the Wampanoag Old-fashioned 10 Miler and Fast 5K. I’m running the 10.

It’s funny  – I know absolutely nothing about this race except for the fact that the course is described as “a rolling course.” Gotta say the “rolling” part makes me nervous cause hills and I are not friends….we’re barely  civilized acquaintances.

So why in the world run it? Couple of reasons….
     1) I’m trying to face my fear… er intense dislike… um hill “issue” head on
     2) The timing of this race made it a good tune-up for the R’n’R USA Half which is just over 4 weeks away
     3) J is running it  – this will be his first time doing a double digit race and I wanted to support him

Up until now I haven’t given much thought to race goals or strategy. I’d like to run the final 5 faster than the first 5,  but I don’t have an overall time in mind. J and I are going to drive the course on Saturday so we’ll see just what “rolling” means and that might help me get my head around a race strategy.

Do you always go into a race with a strategy & goals? Do you run “tune-up” races?