tapering down...

First of all, I'd like to report that I did the 20 two weeks ago! It actually felt okay. I did the last eight by myself, which was somewhat nice (I like the meditative aspect of running). I'm still nervous as hell about 26.2, especially since I felt like 20 was such a herculean effort. I got through to the end because I knew that my husband, Ben, would be there waiting for me. This really meant a lot, and I'm hoping it feels the same way at the race.

Our coach, Barbara, said it should feel like "we could easily run six more."

Umm, yeah.

It didn't.

I'm just hoping that all of my training, all of the mind games I learned, pay off at the marathon, which is in TWO WEEKS! I just received my jersey yesterday, and I'm already thinking about how I'll "decorate" it. Definitely with my name, my dad's name, the names of everyone sent to me by my generous donors...(that might just fill up this teensy weensy shirt. Jeez, I'm glad I didn't get a small. Where are these LLS people from, China?)

As for today, we're "only" running 12. I'm hoping to change things up and incorporate the Ravanel bridge which, for those of you who don't live here, is really the only hill in Charleston! Hopefully, this will prepare me a bit for San Francisco.

Speaking of San Fran, I've never been there, and I'm extremely excited! My husband's great-aunt lives out there, so we plan to explore the city with them! My goals being a) golden gate and alcatraz, b) the cliff restaurant, since my grandfather-in-law used to go there with his wife (who I'm honoring by running this thing), and c) LOTS of Asian food, definitely a scarce commodity here in Charleston. Oh, and to run this marathon, of course.

But that goes without saying.

I should go run right now, but I'll try and post more frequently during the final legs of race preparation.