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1 Month Until Race Day!

So not only is race day 1 month from tomorrow but it has also been over a month since my last post. As I sure most of you can imagine, training for a marathon is just exhausting, especially since we have gotten into the higher mileage. Since my last post, I have completed a 13 miler, 14 miler, 12 miler, another 14 miler and a 16 miler. I skipped last weekend's 16 miler because my leg/knee has been bothering me (will touch on that later in the post). That leaves me with 4 more weekend runs before the big day plus all the mid-week runs.


  • This weekend - 13 miles - when I typed that out, I actually thought ONLY 13 miles. Something as simple as that truly shows me how far I have come in my training that I am thinking "ONLY" 13 miles when just a few short months ago running 3 miles was a struggle.
  • Next weekend - 18 miles - this is "the run" that I have been eying for some time. Not only is this our longest mileage during training, but also serves as a great mental accomplishment knowing that your body can do that mileage. Some people have asked why we don't do the full 26.2 in training. Well, there are a couple different answers. (1) If you can run 18-20 and in reality, if you can run 16 you should have no problem completing a marathon, (2) why put the extra strain on your body when you don't have to and finally, (3) the marathon wouldn't be as special if you had already completed that distance.
  • 2 Week Taper - Starting the week of October 16, we will begin our taper which is a reduction in mileage. This is another HUGE accomplishment. With just a couple of weeks left before the big day, you want to rest a bit, have your body recover while still getting some mileage.
So how was my last month of training been, well let's just say its had its ups and downs.

  • DOWN: On a 14 miler after Hurricane Irma, I tripped over my feet and took a tumble. Nothing serious but scratched up my elbow and bruised my leg
  • UP: The following week, I completed 16 miles even though I thought I was going to die the last 2.5 miles because of the heat but I completed them!!!
  • DOWN: After that 16 mile run, my right leg/knee starting hurting. There is something called your IT Band which is a tendon that runs from your hip to your knee. It is very common for runners to experience IT Band issues and unfortunately there isn't much to do for it besides rest. Many people try to run through it but that typically is not the best way to handle it. Resting when you are so close to the marathon can play tricks on your brain. I think that I should be running and training but then I have to remember the most important day to be healthy is RACE DAY, not a training day. Well, I skipped last week's run and went swimming instead. I did 1,000 meters and it felt good to be doing something. The biggest thing I noticed from skipping a week was that my body was truly able to recover and it is the first time in weeks I haven't been completely exhausted so maybe this was a blessing in disguise.
  • UP: My leg is starting to feel better and I am very much looking forward to my run this weekend
Another accomplishment this month was reaching over $5,500 in fundraising. That is more than $2,000 over my initial goal. The love and support I have felt from friends and family is overwhelming and I can't wait until November 5th!!







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