4 Days Away

My half marathon is 4 days away.  I've been excited about it for awhile.  I trust my training.  I feel prepared for it.  I know I will do well....

Except I'm having some foot issues.  For the past 7-8 weeks I've had issues with my right big toe.  Somethings not quite right with it.  It hurts when I run.  It has started hurting even when I'm not running.  I've gotten a blood blister on the toe as well as other blisters.  I think it's because I'm altering my stride when I'm running because it hurts.  But it never hurt enough to make me stop running or take a break.  This whole time I've been saying I just want to make it through the half marathon. 

Yesterday the top of my right foot is swollen.  I haven't run since my 12.2 miles on Saturday so I don't know what's up with it.  I iced it last night and didn't run my planned 3 miles.  I'm going to try running today. 

I'm not sure how many of these injuries this week are truly real (or potentially serious) and how many are just my noticing every ache and pain as I mentally prepare for the race.  Time will tell I suppose.

Less than 1 week

It's now less than 1 week until my half marathon.  This training cycle is SO different compared to the last one.  Even though I hit all of my long runs before I still doubted whether or not I'd be able to do it on the actual day.  This time though I'm confident.  I know I will not only compete it but I should get a PR as well.  On Saturday I ran 12.2 miles and I felt great.  I even contemplated running 13.1 but decided to save that for the 29th.  All of my long runs have been great and I finally understand what Mike meant when he always told me to trust in my training.  I get it now. 

I'm even contemplating signing up for a full marathon. What??!!??  I know, right?  I am not slapping my credit card down yet but I'm letting the idea sit for awhile.  We'll see how this race goes first before I go too crazy. 

Sunday Mike and I volunteered at the bib pick up for the Half Moon Bay International Marathon.  It felt good to give back to a race I'm going to run but it was also exciting seeing all of the first time marathoners picking up their bibs.  It definitely inspired me hearing some of their stories.