In one week from today, with God's grace, I will run my fourth marathon! Today I joined my friend, Paola, and her husband, Mike, for a 10-mile run that covered the last ten miles of next week's course. Paola had seen a notice to do this run with the Prospect Park Running Club, and so she signed up, and asked me if I had wanted to join her. I'm glad I chose to because I probably would have been lazy and run half the distance at my own ridiculous pace. I have to say that we ran 90 % of the way at my sprinting pace, which is their normal pace. It was exhausting and exhilarating at the same time! The course had become a blocked memory in my mind, probably because it is the most difficult I've ever run. As we ran it, though, I found myself remembering how and where I struggled the last time. I don't want to hit those walls again, so I have to figure out how to get myself through them mentally.
Running with Paola and Mike was great because they have amazing energy and speed! Plus they were very cute in the way they played with each other along the route! It was nice to see them support and motivate each other. It reminded me of times I've run w/ friends and been challenged the way I was today. There's a much different energy to a run when you're with a group or partner. It was definitely a drive I needed because I have not pushed myself in a long time. Sure, I've done the miles, but not at the best pace I could have. It's okay, though. Today I did what I needed to, and I'm feeling the most ready I've felt all training season!
The anxiety of next week's run has already begun to kick in...it was a sleepless night & hopefully that won't be the case all week. But, at least I'm finally getting excited. I think I've been ignoring it for a while, just so I wouldn't get overly anxious. Now...I'm ready! And I'm so grateful to my family and friends for their support! I'm very blessed...I have the best people in my life!!
