Jennifer Alen’s mission in this year’s Bermuda Day Half-Marathon seems straightforward in theory.The reigning CrimeStoppers 5K champion is determined to put her best foot forward and simply finish the race.However, Alen knows all too well not to take anything for granted in this event having been denied a maiden women’s crown after succumbing to dehydration with glory within reach last year.The former track runner led the women’s field most of the way but collapsed in a heap near the end of the 13.1 mile race to hand Deon Breary a first women’s title on a platter.In the lead-up to this year’s race, Alen has taken steps to avoid a repeat of what transpired in her previous appearance in the annual road running spectacle.“I’ve just basically been going out sort of later in the morning to get out when it’s warmer and running in sort of full clothes like long tops and pants just so it gets extra hot when I’m running,” she said. “I‘ve also been drinking lots of fluids to hydrate myself.“My training has been going pretty well to be honest and I’m pretty well prepared for the heat this year. A top three finish would be great but my main aim is to run the best I can and finish this year really.“My training has been geared at running sort of 1:30.00 and I’d be really happy if I break that. I’m just going to get out there and see how I feel on the day.”Alen said preparing for a 13.1 mile race was no small feat, especially for a middle distance runner such as herself.“You really have to work on putting in a lot of mileage and get used to running for long periods of time,” she said. “It is a big change because I notice my body doesn’t like the mileage as much.“I can feel aches and pains in my muscles and when I’m doing the shorter distances my body is absolutely fine. I don’t have any niggles anywhere at all.”A new women’s Bermuda Day Half-Marathon champion will be crowned this year as last year’s winner Breary has been ruled out through injury.Pre-race favourite is multiple winner Ashley Estwanik who missed last year’s race through pregnancy.Estwanik stormed to victory in 2010 and shattered her own record in the process, knocking one and a half minutes off her previous best to finish in a time of one hour, 21 minutes and 58 seconds.Alen believes that Estwanik can go even faster over the distance.“Ashley is in great shape and I wouldn’t be surprised if she breaks her own record this year and I wish her all the best,” she said. “Christian Robinson has been running strong so she should do really well this year and you never know who else is out there on the day. It just all depends on the day.”