I am ready

13 days until the Seattle Half Marathon.
I am ready.

I got a little side tracked for a bit.
Run, I did not.
Getting back into the groove of training was challenging.
I struggle with my weekday runs.
I need more hours in the day.
Daylight hours.
Please.

My long runs though… they are my favorite.
I don’t always feel like running for hours and hours.
Come Sunday morning, it’s get up and go.
There are no excuses.

Some weeks are a struggle.
Ultimately, I’m still upright at the end of it all.
That’s the goal, right?

This week I had to remind myself that there was no point if it was easy.
A lot.
I nearly threw in the towel at 10.
I ran into my friend/mentor/source of inspiration at 9.85 miles.
Not literally, of course.
Her words… “Go finish your miles. You know you can.”
Crap.
She was right.

Apparently I paused my Garmin again at 9.87 miles.
Oops.
I realized it at what I assumed to be a quarter mile later.
Give or take.
I had been busy thinking about why I would even consider not finishing my miles.
I really couldn’t tell you how far I actually ran.
A quarter mile sounds about right.

I managed to get myself turned around in a neighborhood I’ve never run in before.
Perhaps trapped would be the proper term.
Eventually I found my way.

12.2 on the Garmin.
Plus the give or take.
12.something completed today.
And I was going to stop at 10.
Silly me.

And then…
My new sick obsession.
The ice bath.
Okay, obsession is as strong term.
It is my new love-to-hate training tool.

Three long runs ago we tried an ice bath for the first time.
I listened as shrieking came from the bathtub.
Oh yay.
This is what I want to do.

One beer.
That’s how long we agreed to stay in the ice bath.
We’re not allowed to chug it though.
Apparently I’m the one most likely to attempt such a feat.

It turns out one beer is roughly 5 minutes.
After 45 seconds you go numb.
It’s not that bad.
Sitting in a tub of ice water.
Wearing a bathing suit.
And a sweatshirt.
With the hood up.
Arms folded like a pouting child.
Really.
It’s not that bad.

The recovery benefits of an ice bath are phenomenal.
Phe..nom..en..al.
After 10 miles, one should feel some pain.
None.
After 13.1 miles, one should feel some pain.
None.

Yeah, I accidentally completed a half marathon.
During my training for a half marathon.
Without a medal.
Or a questionable t-shirt.
Oops.

To my friend/mentor/source of inspiration.
I am SO excited to get to be at the finish line of your first marathon.
Your hard work truly inspires me.
Your ability to go shopping after a 20 mile long run amazes me.
In heels.
Impressive.
Show off.
;)