Powering Through to Get More Power

I keep daydreaming about what it will feel like once November 11th has come and gone. For superstitious reasons, I'm still not saying that I'll actually finish my very first marathon, but instead I say I'll be glad after I've attempted my first marathon.

Since I have neglected my blog, I'm going touch on some highlights and 'ah-ha' moments that I've had in the past month or so.

Most interesting place I've ran during training: Dodson Prairie

Granted, I didn't deviate too much from my Townlake trail and neighborhood streets, but I had not noticed, until I ran there, how beautiful that place is. It is a bona-fide prairie with rolling hills. Great for running 14 miles on.... (if you love pain and struggle). The best part was about 10 minutes from the end of my run when it began to rain just enough for me to really enjoy it. Perfect weather, perfect smells, perfect sights, so much so that I didn't even turn on my IPOD.

Favorite distance to run: 10-ish miles
Now that just sounds plain crazy, coming from me, but lemme 'splain. 10 miles gives you a sense of accomplishment, especially when you run it after training for five months. It's almost a flash in the pan at that point. I spent all that time running and suffering, so I enjoy my 10 miles more than I could have ever thought. I almost...err, ok, I almost wish I could continue to do those runs after the marathon.

Best running gear: My Mizuno shoes!
They are the best. I dared a month back to get a different pair of shoes to run with and made it one run with a hurt foot and a basket full of regret. Thankfully, I was able to trade in those disappointments for a new pair of Mizuno Alchemy shoes, and for once, they are in cool colors. The last two pairs I've had of those shoes have been burgundy and light blue (what the what people?). I was fitted for them at Hill Country Running Company. My foot was analyzed and matched with a pair that would be wide enough with plenty of arch support. I don't necessarily feel like I'm walking on clouds, but I'm not walking on just some flimsy piece of plastic either.

Greatest success besides adding on the miles: Gaining this mental 'will-do' attitude
When the rest of my body, bits and pieces of me, were struggling through the runs, my mental strength steadily grew. One only has to read some of my previous blogs to see how bad I've struggled with motivation. My brain is soooo determined to get over this mountain that it almost doesn't care that the ligaments in my "gluts" are plumb give out or my knees are plotting their revenge.

I know I won't be able to keep up this running thing for a long time. I will have to retire it and start focusing on lower impact sports. My body just wasn't naturally built for this sport, and frankly I don't want to continue pretending that it is when I know that someday I would have to have knee surgery or a hip replacement. I just hope that whatever sport I pick up next gives me the same feeling of strength that this marathon training has.