I don’t know how or why, but I my body is hardly sore after my 20 mile run. I was more sore after 17 miles! I did concentrate really hard on my form this time, which I’m sure is a huge factor. And even though I didn’t have time for an ice bath, I’ve been keeping ice packs on my knees every chance I get.
Now, they are merely grumbling — not screaming as usual.
I’m not calling it a miracle, but somehow things are starting to work they way they should. I’m hoping that I’ll be able to keep up with all my running from now until the marathon so I’ll be in better shape and less likely to fall into a dark mental place during the marathon. I’m going to try to keep this positive attitude and forget about all the doubts I had the other day.
When it comes down to it, I ran 20 miles. I didn’t stop, even if I thought about it. Even if I thought I was crazy. I finished. And during the marathon, I won’t be alone. There will be crowds and coaches and other runners and a finish line calling my name.
I made some huge mileage jumps in the last couple weeks. My longest run was 13.1 miles at the Bronx Half-Marathon, and that was August 13 — more than a month ago. With the knee issues, I wasn’t able to increase my mileage until the 18th of September, tacking on about 3 more miles after I hadn’t been running much at all. And then I just jumped from 16 miles to 20 miles. So, in two weeks I added 7 miles. I’m no expert, but that’s a bit hasty. Body and mind unprepared, I think. I’m going to cut my self some slack here. I think I deserve it.
My training peaked and now I’m peaking in my fundraising as well. 85% toward my goal! Last night running buddy Becca and I hosted an outdoor film fundraiser. She has a gorgeous deck and all the makings of a theater. We had popcorn (butter and kettle), brownies, British treats, Mike & Ikes, Hot Tamales, Sour Patch Kids, Swedish Fish, M&Ms (chocolate, peanut, and peanut butter), and Junior Mints.
We watched Run for Your Life, a documentary about how Fred Lebow, a Romanian immigrant, took the NYC marathon from a small, unknown race and turned it into the worldwide, celebrated event that it is today. It’s an inspirational movie that has a great tie to our mission. Lebow had lymphoma in his brain and three years after his treatment, he ran the NYC Marathon — the race he created — for the first time. INSPIRING.
We raised $150 and had a good, sugar-filled time. Now, I just need about $600 more and I’m ready to go!
If you haven’t donated yet, now’s the time. I need to reach my goal by Wednesday. If you have, think about reaching out to friends and family. If each person who has already donated recruited a friend to donate $10, I’d meet my goal. I bet you could find someone in your life who’d donate! Just send them a link to My Fundraising Page and tell them how their support, just $5, $10, will help make a difference for those with blood cancers.
