Saturday Nov. 2, 2008, The Last Long Run?! Saturday morning, the Fleet Feet Hawt AsSphalts were running strong (after Dana warmed me up by sharing her long sleeve shirt with me, thank you.) Tiffany and I were talking about how 14 miles seemed like nothing (sounds sick, doesn't it?) It was 55 degrees, the sun was out and we were in rare form; chatting, laughing and taking more potty breaks than normal--but we were all looking good.
We were running up 15th street, and it must have been around mile 8 when Gladys asked, "Are you ready?" I paused for a second and said, "Yes. I can't wait, it seem like the day will never get here." Gladys started telling how beautiful the weather was last year for the marathon and she was hoping it would be that way this year. Then she said, "Next week we only have 10 miles and then--that's it." I looked at her in shock and said, "What? Don't we have another long run?" Gladys smiled and said, "Yeah, the marathon!" That's when it hit me, it's almost here; the Route 66 Marathon is only two weeks away! After next weekend, that's it!
Four and a half months of training; our minds are strong, and our bodies are prepared to be on our feet for four and a half hours or more. Actually, on Saturday it was quite noticeable how ready we really are for the marathon; how far we have come. In the months leading up to today, some of our long runs included hills, and a lot of the time, some of us would have to stop to catch our breath--but not this past Saturday. We ran the last few miles of the Route 66 Marathon, (which, by the way, are hills) and this time no one stopped, and no one was sucking wind. We made it! Proof that we are in pretty good shape and good to go! In fact, Kirk and I noticed how all of our bodies have changed as well. The Hawt AsSphalts are looking good, especially Leigh Ann who, undoubtedly, has the best legs ever! (Coach Paul, yours are pretty good too! Haha!)
It's been an exciting and fun journey, one that would not have been possible without our coaches (Paul, Brian, Ben, Tim and others) and the encouragement of all the runners. It is a journey I want to stay on even after the Route 66 Marathon. I hope all of the Hawt AsSphalts will continue, too--- as well as the rest of the runners who joined Fleet Feet this season--as it will be nice to see you.
For those of you who ran the New York Marathon, congratulations! We can't wait to hear how it went.
And finally, Jeanean and Sandi, we missed you on Saturday, hope to see you next week!
If anyone has advice for us runners in the last two weeks, feel free to comment!
Thanks bunches and happy running!
~Chera
