Upcoming race: Grand Blue Mile

Two-plus years ago, as I planned out my running year, I set my sights on something totally different: a mile-long race.

But the one I had in mind — the State Street Mile — is in Rockford, Ill., and within months of my announced intention to try it, I was out of Rockford and with other plans for my PTO that summer.

This year is the year, though. All the stars have aligned for me to try the Grand Blue Mile.

Instead of doing a half marathon that weekend, I'm doing one more than a month later, and the April 22 race day comes a few weeks after the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick 5K. From speed training to speedier training — the transition seemed pretty natural.

Plus, because I already work downtown on Tuesdays, travel and parking will be a cinch. All I have to do is show up to work with a change of clothes.

Warming up could be a cinch, too: Just jog the approximately half-mile from work down to Western Gateway Park. Some casual Googling indicated to me that I'll need at least that much to prepare for such a short race.

I unfortunately didn't think far enough ahead to work more mile training into my 5K regimen, so I don't have much material for goals yet.

It is safe to say, however, that I registered for the competitive division — recommended for sub-8:00-milers — and not the recreational — all abilities, including walkers. I've done that in 5Ks, sometimes without even warming up, training or trying (boy, Sadye, you sure have long arms ... ).

And it's also safe to say that I'll get a PR ... because it only counts on race day, according to Runner's World's Ask Miles.