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Getting Ready for my 17th Half

This weekend I'll be lining up for my 17th half marathon. I'm enjoying that thought because it's not long until I celebrate 20 of these little 13.1 mile runs! You'd think experience would help me settle down to enjoy the journey - but once again I am as nervous as I was my first one.

It's only been 6 weeks since I did a half but it feels like forever ago and I haven't had any good long runs since the last half I did but I have run. My lack of running is what is chipping away at my mind and heart.

When I first started running 6 years ago I was surprised at how much of it was mental. I really thought you'd just put your shoes on and go for a run. I was shocked when I started having to fight for each race mentally before ever running it physically. I've run enough now to have plenty of ammunition. But the diagnosis of CHF and feeling lousy this week really works against my mind.

Last weekend's trip left me exhausted and I have not run since Saturday. Instead of the taper it's been just a sharp drop-off week.This makes me really nervous when thinking about staring down another start line. But you know me - there's no way in any hot place that I'm not going to have my toes on that line come Sunday morning! It's just not in me to quit...that's the one thing I have to admit I cannot do.

I've been eating real good and did pretty well with it on the road last weekend. This week I've participated in a "clean eating" challenge and I've been very surprised at how full I've felt. My Bp has been good (not great- but good) but I feel wiped out. Well today I'm going to get a run in. It will be a short one but I will run. And tonight - I test up a belt in taekwondo. It's my last "middle" belt. That means in just about 8 to 10 weeks I'll be moving up to the advanced belts. sheesh! I just made myself nervous!

I'm going to beat this thing. I'm going to keep running - I may go out slower and take longer but I will cross finish lines. You can call me a bling whore if you want but I gotta go get another medal. It's not about the medals for me though - it's about the journey. This month is my raceversary. June 27, 2009 I ran my first ever 5K and it has been in my blood ever since. I never dreamed back then I'd do one half marathon - let alone 17 of them! And I'd have laughed if you mentioned a full marathon (after I'd have asked how many miles that was!). Now I'll be lining up for my 17th half and continue training for my second full. I like the way that sounds.

I just keep putting one foot in front of the other. No matter how slow - how fast- or how many steps I take: every step is a victory. 
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