2, Maybe 3, Posts in 1

23 Miles!!! That was 6 hrs and 20 mins of running (including potty breaks). Here's what I found interesting. My body didn't need/want to stop after 20 miles, it was my mind. You see, by the time you reach that sort of distance, the body will just as soon keep moving because it becomes so painful to stop, slow down, or even walk. But the mind (at least my mind) needs stimulation. Yes, the lakeshore path was crowded with people, especially on a beautiful 65 deg day in August, but even seeing the Flirty Girl Fitness pole dancer at the beach, wasn't enough to overcome the boredom. It's like watching the same infomercial for 6 hours. Eventually, I have to change the channel. Finally, as we neared the finish, the channel changed. Two of my friends ran in the last quarter mile with us (in flip-flops) and the AIDS Marathon training staff greeted us with finishing medals, leis and Mai Tai's!

3 hours later, I was sitting on a plane to the Gulf Shores of Alabama to spend a week with my family soothing my sore muscles in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. 

The weekends following the 23 mile run consisted of a 10 mile run, (I missed because I was still at the beach) a 6 mile run that was supposed to be 10, (shortened because of a pace group member's knee injury) and an 8 mile run. 

And now here I sit having just completed my last 30 min run before the marathon. Because there is so many random thoughts going through my mind right now, I'll list them as bullet points.

• I've lost some weight since the beginning, not as much as I wanted, but my body composition has definitely improved and I'm happy about that
• Will I keep running regularly after the marathon, and what do I need to do to keep from backtracking?
• All of our training runs have been in cooler weather, so I hope it's not too warm during the marathon
• I'm very humbled by not only the number of donations I received, but also by the people who made them
• I thought it would be easier to raise the required amount, and I wonder if people will continue to donate even after the marathon
• The bag of garbage that's near me on the back porch right now, really stinks!
• I'm moving 3 days after I return from Hawaii
• I hope I can find a decent paying M-F job
• I need health insurance
• Do I have time to get a pedicure today?
• Will I stay healthy through the entire run and finish?
• I've made a detailed packing list, so I hope I don't forget anything
• etc...etc...etc...

Overall, this has been a great experience. I'm really glad I decided to do this because it has changed my lifestyle. I've never liked running, and I've never done it regularly. Admittedly, since the 23 mile run I've had difficulty motivating myself during the week, but it's become easier to push myself out the door. I don't dread running anymore, at all. It's just become something I do. And if I don't go for a run, my reasons have more to do with the time, or the temperature, or the weather, than they have to do with energy exertion. My confidence has also changed. I look better, I feel better and I feel confident projecting it. 

Thanks to everyone who encouraged me along the way. Sunday is the day of reckoning followed by a week of vacation. I'll let you know how it goes... when I get back!