Just completed my 18 miles real soar after this run. I Woke up at 4:30 AM this morning took my hour for my self to get my mind straight for a 6 AM start (the focus it takes for this is extreme in itself). I was just about ready to let Glenn know I was ready and a very bad thunderstorm came through, so I turned on the local news and they said this was a slow moving front (MORE RAIN!!!) but the worst was yet to come latter tonight. So I waited until 12:30 PM and we went drove to our location. Its was tough to get my focus back but when I was in my groove at mile 2 all was good. Will take tomorrow off and get back to it on Monday morning at 4:15AM.

TWITTER

Glenn has set up a Twittering account for us..... here is the link:
www.twitter.com/Drewdj18 please follow us on that especially the day of the race since we will not be in the hotel next to the computer.

Head is in a better place

Well I think my head is back on my shoulders where it belongs again. I stretched my I-T Band all last week and stayed off it. It healed and on Saturday morning I went out and ran 8miles. It was raining a little, but I needed to do that run to clear my head! I was looking forward to doing the race that night in Statham with Wallace, but then the rain began! I thought we were going to float away, we watched the creek in our back yard just continue to rise and there was nothing we could do. It never came over the banks so our home was saved!

Wallace and I both agreed to not run that evening race and to do the Boo Run on Oct 31 in Flowery Branch. This weekend I have a 18mile run to complete and we are either going to do Chateau Elan or Traditions neighborhoods and I am looking forward to that. I can not believe how close the main event is!

Losing Focus

I am struggling. I hurt myself on Saturday from running downhills in the 1/2 marathon. It caused my IT band to become tight and has limited my walking/running and I have not run this week. It is effecting my mind though, I am starting to doubt my training efforts and my ability to do this. Since I have already completed a marathon I know what to expect and I feel like that is making my vision cloudy. It could be burn out also, I calculated the miles and I have completed over 475 miles and I still have two long runs to complete (18miles and 20 miles) before my training is over. I am just in a funk and need to get it out of my head, but it's easier said then done. I think one of the biggest hurdles I am trying to overcome is not letting anyone down. Everyone has been VERY supportive and for that I want to thank each of you, but this internal struggle is hard to shake. I am hoping to run a 5k on Sat morning & evening, but I am questioning if it will help my internal struggle or make it worse - especially if I do not place in my age group.

I'll let you know the results......... stay tuned..........

Shoe Saga

Since shoes are very important to runners I work very closely with Ryan at Runner's Fit to make sure I have the right shoe for my running style. We tried 3-4 pairs before we discovered that these were a perfect fit. Once that was established I asked Ryan to order another pair because we both knew I would need another pair before the marathon. Well a couple weeks ago I stopped in Runner's Fit to see what was happening with my replacements and Ryan said he had not heard anything. The next day he called to let me know they were on B/O and no ETA was given! So I ordered them off the Internet and need to order another pair in the next few weeks. Who would have thought that there would be an issue with shoes? I am now in search of an orange running skirt for my outfit. I figure I will be in all orange so I stand out and Glenn can take lots of photos.

Here I am completing the Asheville 1/2 Marathon on Saturday! Was it ever tough! I hope Athens is going to be easier than this was! There was a climb up that lasted one mile and it was tough. As I am running up there were a few people who were walking-running-walking and there was one guy who was running and then decided to walk right in front of me as we are yards from the top of this hill. It felt like all my momentum was GONE! At about mile 11 we were directed by the police to get on the sidewalks that were made of concrete! - worse thing for your legs. There were 1,000 people who entered the race, but only 846 finished. I came in at 2hrs 15min and was number 606 overall once I got home I looked at the info from the race and the ascent was 3500ft. We drove by where Ryan's (Runners Fit)Blue Ridge Relay race was due to end later that day - 211 miles of running! But was not able to see him finish. I did earn a green medal and a green shirt. As soon as I stopped my right knee on the outside was in pain. I iced it all day Sunday and stayed off it, but Monday it would not allow me to even walk on it. Today it is about 75% better, but looking at doing my 18 mile run that was scheduled for this Sat probably next week. I will continue to monitor it keep you all informed. I am thinking about doing a 5k - 3 miles on Sat at one of the hilly neighborhoods around me in the morning and then there is one that Wallace and I are doing that evening in Statham.

Low mileage week last week so not much to post. We went to Melbourne, FL on Thursday and I ran 8 miles along the beach on Friday morning. It was FLAT and fast! I have to say though that it was humid and at 5am I was soaked! I went and saw my Uncle Bruce and Aunt Rainey in Tampa. It was a special visit especially since I was able to have a conversation with my 6yr old Uncle and the 63yr old at the same time! Bruce you are an inspiration to me and those around you God Bless YOU!

On Saturday 9-12-09 I will be running a half marathon in Asheville, NC with MANY hills! I am looking forward to seeing where all my hill training has helped me. I will post the results next week.

While I was in FL I found these sayings on some posters at this restaurant and this one is just how I feel at times. "I hated every moment of training, but I said "DON'T QUIT" suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion." - Ali

I noticed that yesterday was exactly 60 days from the BIG date and I can not believe it is almost here! Thanks again to all those that support me. Especially Glenn you may think I am amazing, but you are my rock and I would not be here without your unconditional love.

Stay tuned!