momentary freak-out

So, I just looked at the calendar.  Today is September 6 - exactly one full month away from October 6 - which just so happens to be the day I am running the marathon.

 

Holy crap.

 

My did time fly this summer.  I've been a slacker too.  5 months ago, I sat down and carefully charted out a schedule of runs.  My schedule had 3-4 "short" runs per week, with a long run on the weekend.  I carefully stepped up each week as not to go over 10% distance from the week before.  I also planned to increase for 2 weeks, and then drop back for 1 (kind of a 2 steps forward, 1 step back approach).  My goals were to slowly build on the mileage and to avoid injury.  I spent hours on this chart, and for the first month of training I followed it like it was gospel.

 

And then I promptly forgot it.

 

Since then, I've been great about my short runs.  In fact, I'm averaging about 20 miles per week of running.  My body is in shape - I have lost weight and I'm looking so much better.  But the longest I've run is 13 miles.

 

I have run 13 miles several times, and can comfortably run that distance with no pain and no soreness the following day.  If I was running a half marathon, I'd be set.  Problem is, I'm running 26.2 miles, which by the way, is a hell of a long way.  Drive it in your car if you don't believe me.  Try just walking it.  I guarantee that the average person would have a difficult time even walking 26.2 miles - let alone running that far.  In the mountains.  In the heat.

 

I'm going to die - or embarrass myself.  Or both.  What was I thinking?

 

I'm just telling myself that there is no shame in walking.  I'll just do what I can.  This weekend I'll run 15, and then next weekend I'll do a 20.  After that, my last 2 weeks are taper, so running will be easy those last 2 weeks.  But hey: if I do finish it, I'll be a marathoner.  How cool would that be.