Only 14 ....HA!!

Woke up this morning at 3:20am and met my friend at the track at 4:00. I knew I was in trouble around mile 4. Bathroom break. It's still dark and I am contemplating finding a bush but just couldn't do it so I hopped in my car and raced home so as not to lose too much valuable "cool weather"....then raced back to the track. I discovered this year that I really like "gu". Only the chocolate though. It has caffine in it so it keeps me buzzing around the track. I took it around mile 7 and it lasted me for the rest of my run. In fact, I had to slow myself down quite a few times. Now is not the time for speed...that's how I pulled a hamstring last year at this time. I have really made some good "running friends" at the track. They are all much younger than me and much faster, (except the walkers) but they all encourage me on. I'm usually the first one at the track and the absolute last one to leave. Today, when I had about 5 miles left, the marching band comes out for practice. Oh brother. Just what I need, 100 teenagers watching me slowly run my sorry little rear around the track and not one part of me not jiggling. I wanted to announce ..... "Whatever, I've been here doing this for 2 hours now and I have an hour left so ......whatever". But I didn't. Just kept jiggling along pretending that no one was watching me. They eventually left and then I was FINISHED!!!! Woo hoo, 14 miles. I came home and hopped in the pool. REFRESHING!! I get one of our "noodles" and just lay there for about 20 minutes. Today I actually thought of bringing our shampoo and conditioner out to the pool and washed my hair and well....you know in our rocks so the soap doesn't get in the pool. That way I didn't have to climb the stairs to my shower. I was ready for the day. Well, I need to go ice my legs now and take a long nap. I'm just excited that another week of training is behind me and one more really long one to go then it is T A P E R time. Woo Hoo!!!! My legs felt really fresh today, hopefully they will last through next week. I have to run 6 miles, 10 miles, 3 miles, and then the dreaded 20 miles next week. Wow, do I really have that in me? Hmmmmmmm we'll see. My goal is just to make it to the starting line with no injuries and fresh legs....then I will be good to go. The race is the reward. Seems weird that running 26.2 miles could be rewarding but it is only the last 5 miles that you really have to dig deep. The rest of the 21 is just so exciting. Can't wait...