final countdown...

I will never regret the decision I made to train for and run a marathon.
{ask me again next Saturday}
For a long time, it was something I thought that only crazy people did.
Secretly though, it was always a dream.
I wanted to prove to myself that I could do something, that a lot of people don't think they could ever do.
I trained all summer. I have to say that I feel that my overall training experience was incredibly positive.
I've had great weather, and no injuries.
I became more of a morning person than I already was.
Iwoke up at 6 AM almost every single day.
Mentally, I've pushed myself to the brim.
This week I'll only run a few miles. I'll give my body some serious rest. It's going to be hard for me to hold back, but I literally will have to force myself to take it easy.
I am beyond excited.
Can it be Saturday yet??
 I keep imagining what the high will be like when I cross the finish line.
  I might even take a trip to Lululemon for a cute new race outfit.... I'm totally ridiculous, but I thiiiiiink I kinda deserve to look cute for my first marathon. It's necessary. 

I have 6 days left to be nervous, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't get a little sick to my stomach every time I actually think about it... I've loved this Hal Higdon app I've had to log my runs. To all those considering doing a marathon, you need to get a training program. It will save you. I could never have trained so thoroughly without it. I loved having a strict schedule to follow. 

In preparation I've run 378.65 miles (since May). I'm sure I forgot to log a few runs, but hey, what's 26.2 more at this point??!! 

There is no better feeling than knowing you've done all you can do. 

I've been chased by dogs, deer, men, bees, and a few small cats. 

Love the cheesy Pinterest pins... Just take it in and love it. 

But really...It's SO true. So many people start something, and never actually achieve it. For me, more than anything it has been incredible to see how you can do anything you decide you want to do. I have done few things in my life that have required this much self-discipline, but the return has been so worth it. The self-satisfaction it gives, is addicting. I hope to see many more marathons come my way after this is all over. 

I've run in some beautiful places. Vivian Park being one of my favorites. 

I've come to more avidly appreciate the beauty of  God's creations. 

Those 20  milers gave me some serious time to think about my life. What I've done. Where I'm going. Self-reflection has been one of the many great blessings that has come from this experience. I got to the point where I actually looked forward to my long runs on Saturdays. I love the time to reflect on life, and have some time alone in nature. I learned about a month in, that runs can still be enjoyable when you aren't listening to music. Eventually you get used to the pounding of your feet, and you start to notice things. Leaves, bugs, little crawling creatures, the sky, the clouds, sun beams, rain drops, the sound/feel of the wind. I'm getting all natureY now... but really. I actually sort of love not running with my headphones in now.... It's refreshing, and invigorating. 

“The will to win means nothing if you haven’t the will to prepare.” – Juma Ikangaa, 1989 NYC Marathon winner

“It’s very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit.” – George Sheehan

I have learned that we can all do things we never thought were possible. It requires making a plan, and committing yourself to the execution of it. It requires serious dedication, & people behind you when you start to break down. 

"In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that."  -Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder

Thanks to frequent ice soaks in rivers, my body has been spared through all this
"We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves...The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find some outlet for this craving for freedom. No one can say, 'You must not run faster than this, or jump higher than that.' The human spirit is indomitable."  -Sir Roger Bannister, first runner to run a sub-4 minute mile