Won't Be Long Now...

Today was pretty good. I spent a good portion of the day volunteering at the packet pickup for the marathon. If you runners have never volunteered to work an event you should try it some time...give back a little. I got to meet Topher, a fellow running blogger. He's a very nice guy and a great writer. I think I startled him when I knew who he was... I get that a lot.

I'm getting nervous but I'm not as nervous as I thought I would be...then again I haven't tried to go to sleep yet...that's when I've been told the nerves will really start kicking. Here's the course:

Mile 2 to 3 should be the beast...it's pretty much all up hill. It'll be the biggest challenge for me...trying to save my legs for the other 10 miles. I'll be back tomorrow with a full report. Keep on keepin' on.

Last Run Before 1/2 Mary

Easy 3 miles today except it was damn cold. Upper 30's when I was first out the door...made it hard to catch my breathe. I had to have a talk with myself about 1 mile in. Seemed to work pretty well so I finished strong after stopping to stretch and call myself a few names. finished in 34 and some change but I"m not even sure right now. I'm getting really freakin' nervous. Keep telling myself that the only way I'll fail is by not showing up. Otherwise just run and have fun and don't die. Anyway that's it for today. Keep on keepin' on.

2 days or 3?

It's Wednesday morning and the run is on Saturday so does that make it 2 days or 3? I'm going to say 3 since today hasn't really even technically started. Did a couple of easy miles last night but that was more by force than anything. I ate a big salad an hour before I ran...little advice don't eat a big salad an hour before you run. I still don't know how I didn't puke. Anyhow I thought I would share my goals for Saturday in order of importance:

1. don't die (self explanatory)
2. Finish
3. Under 2:30:00 (pipe dream)

So those are my goals for now. 3 miles tomorrow if it's not raining. Keep on keepin' on.

Last Long Run Before My First 1/2 Marathon (working title)

So today was my last long training run before the 1/2 on Saturday. My plan was to do around 7 miles but I never really got specific. I figured I would just let me legs decide for me. I ended up running around 5 before I stopped to stretch for a long time then walked for a while before finishing strong on a hill. Total distance was around 5.75 in 69 and some change.

My foot felt fine since I wasn't using the ankle brace just the Ace bandage. My legs felt tired for a while but they came back around 2.5 miles and then I pushed it pretty hard for the next 3 miles...probably too hard if I was going further but it felt good to 'open it up' a little bit (imagine lumbering elephant). I contemplated backing off and going further but there is really no point now. I'm either ready or not. Don't have much of a choice.

Physically I can lumber 13.1 miles...mentally I'm nervous.

Lame

Last night I bought an Ace Bandage to wrap my ankle hoping that it would allow me to run with out the irritating my foot so I decided this morning would be better to try than waiting until a longer run on Saturday. I wrapped then walked around the house and took it off and then repeated until I found a way it did not bother my foot so out the door I went. Because of the added time and my tight morning schedule I knew 3 miles was out of the question but I was hoping for 2. I started running I realized I forgot my knee straps and about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile in both knees started bothering me...probably just in my head but I decided to just turn back rather than risk getting a sore knee.

This is getting old. I just want to run this damn thing and get it over with. Seems like I'm so paranoid about getting hurt before the 1/2 I'm not having much fun running anymore. 10 more days. Keep on keepin' on.

Foot Suck (not in a perverted way)

Don't have a lot to report other than my foot is still bothering me where I wear my ankle brace but only when wearing my ankle brace and for a few minutes after that. Within 5-10 i have no discomfort. So the plan is to take a couple days of from running but continuing to bike ride for cardio and buy an ace bandage so I can use my forefoot to support my ankle without putting pressure on the sensitive area. The big day is under 2 weeks away and it's in my head...not in a good way.

Keep on keepin' on.

Nice 3 Miles

It feels like I haven't had a good run in weeks even though I know that's not the case. today was a nice, easy 3 miles. My right foot bothered me a little from trying new inserts on Tuesday (horrible idea) and my left is worrisome at best but I"m sure it's just paranoia of being this close to the 1/2. 3 miles in 31:08 not bad for taking it real easy the last 3/4's of a mile.

There was another racaggle sighting as I went out to run including what must have been the grand poobah of raccoons as it has to be 20 pounds and was not scared of anything...so I threw pennies at it to create a diversion until I could make it past him. Keep on keepin' on.