What does .2 mean?

It is only 3 days until the marathon. I wanted to share something I came across in one of my favorite books. I've been waiting until now to share it. I hope it sinks deep inside your soul like it does mine. Enjoy!

     ".2 is about completion. .2 is about having what it takes. .2 is about mastering pain. .2 is about getting it done. .2 is the "and over" of "up and over." .2 is about strength. .2 is about life."
     "If you have experienced .2, then you will never be the kind of person who does something "almost" or "half-assed." You will never hastily approve something that isn't done right. You will never take a shortcut on effort just because no one is watching. You will never say, "Eh, it doesn't matter." Because it does matter. If you have slogged or sprinted through the final .2 of a marathon, then you know intimately the difference between 26 and 26.2. And its not as simple as 200 meters.
     ".2 is the metaphorical distance between you and any finish line in your life, anything you have ever dreamed of doing or becoming. It's what's separating you from your truest, most authentic self and your most actualized life. It's what's worth thinking about, strategizing about, planning for, training for, and going for. "
     ".2 is simultaneously the end and the beginning. Because when we cross one finish line, we arrive at the next start line, carrying with us everything we learned from prior distance. Hopefully, we manage to drop a few unnecessary things that weigh us down along the way, making our journey lighter as we go along."-Kristen Armstrong, Mile Markers: The 26.2 Most Important Reasons Why Women Run

Thank you to everyone who has followed along, offered me words of encouragement and support! I would NEVER have been able to do this without you. I thank you from the very bottom of my heart!

Love always,

Brittany 

Desert Therapy

(Creosote Bush)

There has been a little piece of my training that I have failed to mention. I've considered doing so on several occasions but never found the right timing. I believe it has been a huge contribution to my love of running and my ability to relax and let go of life. There is nothing like it. If I could bottle it up and bring it home to Kansas City, I would! What is it, you ask?  Well, it's nothing more than the smell of the desert (aka Creosote) :D Until you experience it for yourself, it is hard to explain. It's nature's aromatherapy. It eases your mind, brings about an internal peace, and makes you appreciate life and the things around you. This is the reason why a large portion of my runs were mapped out the way they were-into the desert so I could enjoy the fragrance. Sometimes, if the wind is just right or there is a chance of rain, you can be standing in the middle of Tucson and still smell it. However, every single time you venture out of the city and into the desert it is there- I love it! In the future, when I've completed several marathons and I can't separate one training session from the next, I will always remember the smell of the desert. The way it assured me that life, with all its ups and downs, is still absolutely amazing- if I just relaxed, slowed down, and took it all in.

That's just what I did this morning on my last long run of my training. I woke up to a "freezing cold" Tucson morning- which was great preparation for next week's race! The thermometer hovered around 50 degrees this morning as I took off around 530. I was so cold that I opted to throw on a long sleeve t-shirt in addition to my "race day" attire- hoping I would not regret that decision later. Being this was my last run, I was determined to make it a successful one! If I had to dig deep, I would. If I had to fake how great I felt, I would do that as well. Much to my pleasure, however, it was a success, without any of that! The cool, crisp morning actually made me run faster. This familiar route made me smile as I remembered all the good times and the bad times we've shared. This same route at one point stole all confidence I had gathered as a new runner. But on this day, it would be restored! I have so much confidence going into next week :) Not the kind of confidence where I think this will be totally easy and that I will have a record-breaking time. The confidence I have is knowing that I have trained for 5 months- sacrificed, stayed committed, and developed myself into a runner. I have confidence that this will be the toughest physical and mental challenge I have yet faced. But, I also, have the strength and courage to meet it- head on- all while keeping my feet moving. I'm so pumped for next Saturday!! I can see myself shivering at the starting line from the cold and the nervousness. I can feel myself running through the streets of Kansas City- my home- reminiscing, with a restored sense of appreciation for the city I have missed dearly. I can even see myself struggling, having to dig deep- bringing forth all the pain and heartache I've been through on this adventure, allowing it to fuel me through all 26.2 miles. I have the confidence that I will cross the finish line completely spent, leaving everything on the "field", with tears streaming down my face, no doubt. I will stand (most likely lay) there with the biggest smile on my face :) At that very moment every single minute of the past 5 months and 9 days will have been worth it. I believe it is then that I will have "learned to love my journey."

NOTES of the DAY:
*Temperature: 51 degrees
*Song of the Day: "Determined" by Mudvayne- its perfect :)
*Tip of the Day: Tucson gets cold. FYI.
*Quote of the Day: "Its supposed to hurt like hell." Coach McTavish from UltraMarathon Man by Dean Karnezes

This little piggy went to the market...

I love "battle wounds!!" Whether it was nasty bruises post "Hit Day," scraped up shins from stealing bases, or a fat lip after getting elbowed during a basketball game, they are all proof of some sort of battle :) My feet (and body) have been fighting a long, hard battle since May, resulting in aching bones and joints, sore muscles, and mangled, purple toenails! The purple toenails have not been painful up until now... which is one reason why my 13.5 mile run on Saturday turned into 12!

After last week's 20 mile run, my body needed as much time to recover as possible. I was so physically and mentally exhausted from that run, all I could find the strength for was an 8 mile run on Wednesday. The run was a little difficult due to my still sore muscles and was *definitely* not the fastest 8 miles I have done. At this point, however, I just wanted to get the miles in. After finishing this run, I noticed the beginnings of yet another purple toenail :) In all my years of playing sports, I have never lost any toenails so, of course, I find it fascinating (haha)!  By the end of the marathon, I'm sure the number will easily amount to at least four. Yep, four of them- gone! I'll be sure to post pictures for everyone to enjoy ;)

Because of my toe pain,  the "easy" 13 mile tapered run was a bit more difficult then I had hoped. However, I would rather have dealt with that then the more serious heel pain I was dealing with last week. An update on that- my heel feels great! Occasionally I will notice a slight discomfort but it usually is mild and doesn't last long! Lets hope it keeps up :) Everything was a little off this last week as far as my training, nutritional habits, and sleep patterns, so I understand why this run wasn't as easy as I hoped. Part way through my run, I decided to cut it to 12 miles rather than the mapped out 13.5. This didn't bother me too much because the original training schedule had me only running 9 miles, so 12 was a bonus :) With only two weeks left, I'm getting back on track with my nutrition and hydration, and hopefully with sleeping as well. The remaining mileage has tapered greatly- 3, 5, 3, 8 mile runs this week! I'm excited about the tapering- I hope it will give me the adequate rest and recovery I am needing before the big day! Butterflies are already in my stomach as I write this blog today. My palms are sweaty and my heart is racing. Nervousness, excitement, and anticipation have been slowly filling me for weeks and weeks- I am ready to explode! I'm so ready to have my hard work and dedication pay off. This will be an incredible experience. I can't wait to soak up every amazing, emotional minute this adventure has in store for me :)

276 hours and counting... (I'm sure you already knew this, Layne!!)

NOTES of the DAY:
*Temperature: 69 degrees
*Song of the Day: "Sin with a Grin" by Shinedown
*Tip of the Day: I met a lady the other day who told me she used to run marathons but developed knee and ankle problems. I thought she was going to put down running but she continued on saying she tried long distance swimming and cycling which were both fun! But she finished our conversation with "There is nothing like running. None of it compares." I would agree. Try running: try to learn to like it, enjoy it,  and need it. There is nothing else like it.
*Quote of the Day: " I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat." -Winston Churchill