So I thought that right after the race I would pick up running distances again.

Wrong!

I did run a few days after the marathon-three days later. three miles. And then a few days after that-another three miles. And then a week after that and, yes, three miles. I couldn.t break that three!

Today I finally did, running 5.8 in the pouring rain – same weather as race day 10 days ago!

I don’t know what was going on. My body has felt very tired lately . Am I still recovering? Could I be? I don’t know. It seems a long time, if so.

I have a feeling I just needed some rest. my family has been sick for months, and for some reason I have missed most of the colds and flu that has gone around our house.

I want to do three miles tomorrow morning. we’ll see what happens. And then 8-10 on Saturday, but my dreams may be stronger than my legs  or lungs!

I would still like to train for san diego’s rock n roll marathon in june. Three months, I don’t think it will be a problem . . . but who knows!

so I’m winding down from my marathon-one night before my 38th bday-having a glass of red wine, some chocolate covered peanuts, and a little r&r.

I can’t believe that i just ran 26.2 miles.

I recently read this ridiculous blog post about why people should not run marathons.

In it people had responded with equally ridiculous messages, such as the human body wasn’t built to run 26.2 so why force it.

I thought about this a bit today while I ran.

Who says it wasn’t built to do that distance? I did it. thousands of people do it each year. who says that people aren’t supposed to run marathons? Perhaps if more people tried we’d all be a bit healthier.

the article talked about the downsides of marathon running. You know, the black toenails, etc . . .

I can tell you that in the last five months my toenail has never turned black and my feet have never blistered. I had an issue with numb toes, but figured that out and took care of it.

People who train for marathons typically don’t experience these problems. They do their research and they know to go to a real shoe store to get fitted. They know to buy shoes a size or size and a half larger so they can allow for feet swelling.

Maybe we were built to run 26.2.

I know I sure was! If not, I never would have made it today.

I guess it just annoys me that people who don’t run marathons sometimes look at those who do as if they (or we!) are extremists, or ‘freaks’. I believe that was one of the words mentioned in the posts that went along with that article.

Not freaks, no. Just determined.

If you had seen the people that i ran with today-in the high winds and rains that didn’t cease minus miles 20-24 – you would know how determined they were.

The could do anything! Anything they put their mind to. They could run in the rain for 26.2 miles.

One guy ran barefoot. I’ve seen him at races before.

Another ran carrying a flag.

these people had goals, and they not only planned their goals, and they not only researched their goals, and they not only trained for their goals, but THEY MET THEM!

I guess I don’t understand what is freakish about this?

In my mind, people who do this understand that their only limitations are in their minds. And they train to exceed their limitations. no, not exceed, to destroy.

i picked up a few bumper stickers yesterday. Hoped I could use them. Two say 26.2 because, well, enough said.

And one says Marathon Freak, thanks to that article that i read.

I may be a freak, but I know now that i can do anything that i want to do in this life.

Anything.

even run for 26.2 miles.

This is the only life that you have.

go out there and DO IT.

And I can’t wait until the next!
It was a dreadful day for a run. Winds at 14-16, steady, with rain throughout most of the run (all but from mile 20 to about 240.

My feet were a wrinkled mess when I got done.

I had to walk some. There was no other way with the winds being so harsh. In fact, I saw some of the faster runners walking some, and heard one say how brutal of a run it was, and how he was hurting already. That made me feel better!

I bought a plastic parka for three bucks at the expo tent right before the race started and that kept me somewhat dry for the first twenty miles, when i took it off (the sky had cleared-I thought the worse was over).

I had to stop and use the bathroom four times. Let me tell you, that was no fun (and very gross). You know how it is with long distance runners and the bathroom . . . add that to being completely soaked througha nd through, which makes getting your pants down tough, and then trying to get toilet paper off the roll withwet and freezing cold fingers. Not a pretty site! the last portapotty I stopped in, at mile 17, was so disgusting I thought I might get sick.

I had a lot of great thoughts on this run. I will spend some time writing them out in the course of the next week or so.

I did it. I can’t believe it. I actually did it! 26.2 miles, and I can’t wait to do my next . . . june 3 in San Diego . . .

So it is here! It is going to happen! I don’t have the flu, my husband is getting better, I slept well, and the only hindrance is a little bit of rain. Cold rain. And some wind.

Ok, we will be fine.

To tell you the truth, I am terrified.

What was I thinking, 26.2 miles?

Can i do this?

I don’t know. Yes, yes I can, that’s right, i can, I did 20 miles a few weeks ago.

Oh crap. here we go . . .

AY!

Ok, this time tomorrow i wil hopefully be recovering from 26.2 quietly, on my couch, while my kids sleep.

My husband is doing a bit better. I took the girls to the expo to pick up my race packet! Got my shirt, a few bumper stickers that say 26.2 and   a new water pack that holds two regular sized bottles. Been looking for one of them forever!

Can’t believe it is here, finally!! can’t believe i’m going to do it!

Race day forecast sucks. Windy and rainy. Don’t mind the rain but the winds could be a killer, with gusts up to 30. Hoping it doesn’t come thru until later, at least the end of the race. It will be okay, whatever happens, right? I can always walk, or stop at starbucks and call home. guess that is the good thing about living so close to the race lol.

Can’t believe this day is almost there. I’ve waited five months. And in less than 24 hours it will all be over.

You know how when someone says they are sick and you hang out with them then you begin to feel sick? By the time I went to bed last night my head hurt and I was sure my shoulders ached. I woke up one time last night and thought my throat felt raw. I took a ton of supplements yesterday after my husband said he was sick-and he is still in bed sick this morning-but I woke feeling fine.

Now my only concern is getting to and from the marathon, and what I will do with my kids during the four and a half hour run. my neighbor said she would watch them but my youngest is not a fan of being around other caregivers.

My husband said he would get up and take me and watch the girls and bring them to see me cross the finish line, but that is a lot ot expect of a man with the flu. I love him for his total support, but I dont want him to be sick and standing at the finish line tomorrow. As much as I want him, and the girls there, that just isn’t right, or fair of me to ask.

So I’m still not sure if I will be running that race. I’m going to plan on it. I’m going out in a bit to pick up my packet. the girls can see what the fuss is all about, as they always have some things going on at the expos beforehand. Hopefully I will be on my way tomorrow morning at this time. Oh wow! Tomorrow in less than 24 hours!

We will see. Fingers crossed that my husband  makes a total perfect and healthy recovery before then, so not only does he feel good but he can be there when I cross that line.

And so that I can be there, too.

We’ve doged the bullet this year, though my daughter’s entire preschool class, including her teacher, have been wiped out by the flu. but my husband came home tonight sick as he can be, with aches and pains and chills, and he is wrapped up int he bedroom trying to recover. I’m doing all I can without actually getting too close. My hands are cracked, they have been washed so mich. Please, please don’t hit me until after Sunday. All I want to do is run this race.

I was worried today that the rains might be bad, since they are calling for rain this weekend.

Now I’m worried I may not be running at all.

Every ache, pain and twinge makes me think I’m getting the flu.

I typically have the resistance of a, well, whatever has a lot of resistance. I never get sick. everyone around me does, and I remain fine.

Now I’m sure I’ll be sick for Sunday.

If I am, well, then, I guess I’ll do a twenty miler the next week, pretend I ran the damn race, and train for San Diego in June.

But please let me run on sunday.

Please, please, please.

I have worked soooooo hard for this.

my neighbor came over tonight and brought me a basket filled with goodies for after the race. A good luck basket. She ran LA eight or so years ago. she said she was proud of me. Her three kids were here. the youngest boy told me the other day tha the would b e up cheering me on from his bedroom window with his cousins on the morning of the race.

Oh please, please don’t let me get the damn flu right before this. It would be my luck. but I want my luck to change.

two nights, one day, that’s all that stands between me and 26.2.

That and the flu.

So keep your fingers crossed.