starting line

things they don't tell you in all the running blogs/books/etc. :  the starting line is the place of ultimate dread.  no matter how long the race, no matter how prepared for it you might be, at the starting line, your only thought it "what did i just sign up to do?  there's no way i'll be able to do this.  5 miles?!  are you crazy?  i only ran 10 yesterday."  

it's a moment of temporary insanity where really nothing makes sense, and it passes as soon as you're about 10 steps into the race.  but it happens.