It's quiet out there.....

Kind of scary to be so quiet in the blog world - not the usual activity. I hope it's not because you are getting nervous! You can do this, I promise! Yep, it's TWENTY MILES, yep, IT'S a long way - further than last time, but it's only TWO measely miles further than the last really long run. You can go just two more!
Please keep in mind the time and don't go over 5 hours and if you need me, call! I will be in the truck tomorrow, checking on y'all and the water. I have filled all of the coolers we have, so there will be plenty. Enjoy the walk/run (ha! yeah, I know) tomorrow and don't rush, just get the time on your feet. If you don't have someone to go with, find someone, if you have to go a bit slower, do! You'll be glad of the company! Check on each other while you are out there, especially if someone is alone.
OK, yes, I'm being a mom, sorry - I just know that y'all can do this, you are ready!
Now, go eat well and hydrate AND get to bed at a decent time!!!
Blog on!

Quick blog

Just wanted to check in and make myself blog......
We are into almost full swing around here. All 3 girls are off to a good start with school - 2 in high school, yikes! Anna is dancing at Ballet Mississippi now, so we head downtown for 4 afternoon/evenings a week. We are adjusting to that and trying to figure out how that will all work out so that everyone gets to where they need to be, etc.
Anyway, I decided I needed a change in my routine this week. I am usually a loner when I workout, but I decided it would be good for me to participate in a class instead. Soooooo.......I did my FIRST EVER step class Tuesday! Wow! What a workout! Boy, am I sore! I did pretty well keeping up, but it will definitely take some time. It's great to try something new and use some muscles that I obviously was not using or working hard enough. I was so sore after Tuesday's class that I decided to get into the cold plunge today. Well, I got all set and ventured in and guess what - it wasn't working!
I will definitely work this new cross-training into my schedule from now on! I am counting on it to really help me aerobically. I guess that's why they call it aerobics!
I hope everyone is hanging in there ok. I know it's hard to stay at it when it is so hot, but just remember you ARE marathoners!!!
Blog on!

Some inspiration......hopefully....

Mark and I just finished watching the video of Chicago and now I'm all weepy. I just cannot begin to tell you what an awesome experience it is and I am so excited for all of you! I wish I could get inside your minds and hearts and help you to realize that you are ready. At this point, it is just a matter of hanging in there and fighting that mental battle. If you hear yourself saying, "I can't" or "I'm not ready" or anything else negative....stop it! Replace it with "I am doing this!", "I am a marathoner!", "I am strong!", "I love this!". Maybe it sounds silly and maybe it is, but I don't want you to listen to the negative and I sure don't want you repeating the negative to yourself! I believe in each of you - I've seen you out there and I know what you can do and you can do this! I see you at the start, I see you in the middle and I see you when or after you finish. I know what you can do and you CAN do! For the next few weeks you will be digging deep...so get out the shovel and do it. Put in the time - you've already put in too much to turn back now. I went into my first marathon without a desire to run. I did not like it. I had done the training and put in the time and I was ready, but I did not like it. I was determined to finish and I did because I was fighting a battle. I accepted nothing less than to win, and I did because I finished. Something changed for me that day. I learned that I can do what I set out to do...no matter what it is. I don't say "can't" anymore. I may say, "I don't choose to" or "I don't want to" but I don't say "I can't". I learned that my race is not against someone else and does not belong to someone else. It belongs to me and I run it for me. It's not about anyone else. Selfish? Yep! A good kind of selfish, though, because it has made me a better me...not a perfect me, just a better me. There's still plenty of room for improvement and growth, mind you, so I guess I'd better get ready for Chicago '08! I'll have to go watch that video again!

See you in the morning for a "short" one!
Blog on!