I'm coming for ya, 18

Hey. So. I was pretty scared/freaked out/unsure/nervous/not really wanting to talk about running 18 miles last week. I knew it was coming on Saturday, I just…wasn’t….sure. 18 miles for me was “that number.” The number that I knew once I got to, it was almost marathon time. [Even though, let’s be real, I have to go more than 18 even still!] So I just kinda was keeping it to myself because I really wasn’t sure how it was going to go.  Add on top of my nervousness that everyone else in my group was running 22 on Saturday so I knew I’d be turning around earlier than others.  Add on TOP of that, my running buddy wasn’t going to be there. 

Friday afternoon my fro-worker (friends/co-workers) “took one for the team” and we all trekked to Maggianos for the double lunch.  Obviously it was delicious & worth it and the carbing & company was great. I was thankful to start to calm down a little bit about it.

Friday evening, rather than my normal early night in, I went to the ballet.  Centennial Park has been doing this series called “Ballet in the Park” which brings arts to the park for free (well, a donation which I obviously gave) and my friend Allison & I packed up our best blankets and went to see Giselle. It was amazing and so soothing to my soul. Remember dancing is my first true-love. Although it was a late night, I think mentally I needed it.

Saturday morning we met all the way out in Cool Springs (about a 25 minute drive South from Nashville) at Nissan’s headquarters. Our route took us through Franklin which is basicallyRichmond/Carytown in Tennessee. It was amazing to be surrounded by the most charming & amazing scenery.  I was feeling tired miles 1-4 (and actually wondering in real life if this was actually going to happen…) then I hit a pretty great stride from miles 5-10.  At mile 11 I got a text message from a friend that said “Hope you had a great run!”  I’ll be honest, I kinda felt like shiz knowing I still had 8 miles to go…but it was the super sweet thought that counts!  Around miles 12-14 I felt like I was getting lost. I was in an area I really knew NOTHING about and at this point was completely alone. I had made a lot of mental notes on the way there so I was lucky to have landmarks to pass that helped me know I was going the right way. I started doing A LOT with my brain. I named the 50 states, tried to name every teacher I’ve had from Kindergarten through High school…then tried to name every teacher my brother had from Kindergarten through High school…and then I was at about mile 16. I knew I was looking for a street called Carouthers and after passing Centennial High School I was convinced I was lost. I didn’t remember passing Centennial so I had to stop. Stopped my Nike+ and I GPS’ed my current location on my phone. I wasn’t lost, I had about a mile and a half to go. So I knocked it out!

Saturday was definitely a lesson in the mental game & keeping my brain moving when I’m running alone so I can keep movin!  It was also a lesson in mf’ing RESTING. I felt pretty sick all afternoon and I now really know how to re-fuel after that much distance.

All in all it was a great training day, a great prep day for race day and a great day receiving so much support from so many friends & family. I have one more long run left. Just one. And as always, a few pics:

My hair post-18 miles. Total Rats nest (via Insta)

After an ice bath, I basically TEAR my clothes off as soon as POSSIBLE!

Tweeted this last week. My legs were feeling like 50 lb weights last week (via Twitter)