Beginning of the end...

Today marks the end of week 11 and the beginning of week 12, only 4 more weeks to go! I can hardly imagine I am 3/4 of the way through training. Too bad the next 2 weeks will be the most difficult so far, coupled with the fact that I start work on Monday, and that means I won't have nearly the same amount of time or energy that I've enjoyed all summer. I'm a little nervous about how that is going to go. While I'm at work it will be much harder to ice regularly and stay hydrated; I doubt my new employer will like it if I'm going to the bathroom every 20 minutes...which is the true story of my last 2 1/2 months.
I am, however, very encouraged after today's run. I conquered the last of the 16 mile runs! It was a bit warmer than I would have liked, but I was so thankful I managed to force down 200+ ounces of water yesterday. I was feeling rather discouraged last week because I was going so slow and experiencing so much knee pain and not sure what do about it. I took 2 extra rest days this past week and really concentrated on ice sessions, regular doses of ibuprofen and stretching and I think it really helped. I did break down buy new running shoes, which I really didn't want to do, but I realized that my shoes could be the deciding factor in whether I finish this or not. My shoes had well over 200 miles on them. I also bought a knee brace that I wore during the long run today and as far as I can tell it helped tremendously. I'm still keeping up with my preventative regimen, including ice baths, but I'm not having any knee pain right now, so that's good news!
Mentally I'm beginning to try and prepare myself for what is called "hitting the wall", which should be coming during next week's long run: 18 miles. "Hitting the wall" apparently happens when you're body is completely depleted of glycogen and carbohydrates, despite regular hydration with fluid replacements all throughout the run; it's just what happens when you run that far. Extreme fatigue sets in and you will truly believe you can't go on. Another. Step. But because of all the mental preparation and training that you've been practicing during these last 11 weeks...you will make it past the wall. ALL the training, mental and physical, comes down to these last 6-8 miles. And I will get a taste of it during the next two weeks.
My body believes whatever my mind tells it, the wall is only as big as I believe it to be.
Cumulative mileage total: 233.5