If there’s anything I’ve learned this winter besides the fact that I really love running half marathons, it’s the fact that I should watch myself when I’m feeling particularly trigger-happy after a race. By this, I mean the feeling that you get once you’ve done a race and want to sign up for more (and more, and more!) while you’re still on the high of finishing and are feeling dangerously invincible.

Next year, I probably won’t be running three half marathons without a significant break in between. And I’m taking steps to prevent further race blahs by not signing up for the Crescent City Classic. Let’s hope I stay true to my wishes and hold back from registering for anything after Sunday’s half marathon.

So it must feel good not to have anything on the calendar, right?

Well, I don’ t think I can say that there’s nothing on the calendar. Little did I know (until a few weeks ago), my Ironman 70.3 relay team of the past several years is signed up to race again this year on April 22 here in New Orleans. For the fourth year, I’ll be getting back to my swimming roots and swimming 1.2 miles in Lake Pontchartrain for fun. Yes, I tell myself it’s fun, even though I don’t enjoy swimming in the lake. I’m excited about the relay and am glad to be getting back in the water. But beyond this race, I’m really looking forward to taking a break from the always-training, always-racing life I’ve been living since September.