Lessons Learned

2 months left until the half-marathon. Many lessons have been learned and I learned a very important one this week: Never purchase the official half-marathon merchandise until you actually complete the half-marathon.

This past week started off not-so-great. I did my usual Tuesday evening run (3.5 miles) and it went horribly wrong. It was hot and muggy out, my food hadn't digested well enough so I got the horrible side cramp, I wasn't hydrated, and all these things combined contributed in some capacity to a strained calf muscle. Little things like this are starting to pop up more often, probably because I'm taking my body to a whole new realm its never seen before. And it's making me panic. I had to stay off the leg for a couple of days and went out and did an easy 2-miler on Friday thinking it was all better. It wasn't and now I've got to stay off it another couple of days to get it healed properly. In my mind, all I can think is, I don't have time for this! I've really got to keep consistent and on track with my training and I've allotted a little wiggle room, but that is running out quickly!

And just as a little icing on the cake....mmmmmm, cake....I received a package in the mail yesterday and I turned into Debbie Downer immediately upon opening it. You see, back in July when I registered for the half, I was given the option at check-out to pre-purchase the official merchandise since they usually sell out quickly. Well I just HAD to have the beautiful blue fleece jacket with the official half-marathon logo on it! And this was soooo NOT the week they should have shipped it to me! To have the doubts of not finishing set in and then receive the half-marathon jacket in the mail made me depressed to say the least. I don't even have the heart to try it on because to wear it, I should earn it...and I am far from that now.

All week I've been in panic mode, wondering if I will even make it to the start line...they say getting to the start line on race day is half the battle and just accomplishing that is a feat in itself. Now I understand this statement with complete clarity. I just need to get there. If I can get to race day injury free, I'll do anything to cross the finish line. But I can't start a race with a pulled muscle or anything of the sorts.

So please pray for me and pray hard. I have so many reasons to finish and now I have another...I really want to wear the jacket: