Packing for a marathon.

Today is Sunday and I don't leave till Friday but I'm going to start packing now. I don't think it's too soon. This is the week to really give my legs a rest and prep for the adventure. I'm not just packing my race gear to prepare but also getting my mind and body ready. My mind is now in the right place. Mentally I feel ready. Still scared but ready.

I had a great run yesterday, 10.6 miles, with my Saturday running buddy Sharon B. Nothing like girl time to get your head straighten out. Thanks Sharon! (And thanks Larissa for the vote of confidence too. ) Today was an hour on the bike. I woke up with stiff legs but the spin helped them. I took it easy the rest of the day and just after noon I had to lay down. Three chihuahua's, one cat and an hour and half later my nap was complete and I felt so much better. Those early morning workouts got the best of me today. Early to bed tonight!

Nutrition this week will be very clean. Real whole foods and no restaurant takeout. Yams! Yams! Gotta eat my yams! Its my carb of choice. I love my yams.

I had made zucchini almond butter brownies yesterday and put what was left in the freezer. I hid my chocolate too that I put in my nuttty snacks. Out of sight, out of mind. Only chocolate will be from my dark chocolate almond milk for recovery drink and for my coffee.

I have bought sharpie pens and use them to write my goal time on my arm. Just a reminder that this is what I have trained for. I also write "I am tough"! Because I am! I'm a tough 45 year old 5 foot 2 inch woman who can do whatever she puts her mind to do! It's my new mantra this year.

One more thing I'm packing this week and taking with me are the memories of my home town neighbor Elaine Schwalbe. Our family grew up with Elaine, her husband Bill and their daughter Jill, who my sister and I call our sister too. Elaine passed away last Thursday night. Her heart gave out. Alfredo and I had the privilege of having her stay at our house a couple of years ago for three months while Bill was recuperating after being ill. I will hold in my heart her beautiful voice singing from the back seat of the car and the stories she would tell of herself growing up with her brother and sister. As kids when my sister and I would go to visit Jill, Elaine always greeted us with a smile. She was a beautiful lady. I'm running Saturday in our hometown not just to achieve my goal but to also run in her memory. I love you Elaine and will be missed.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.
And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame.
Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

~Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT