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