13 days and counting...

I have finally begun the taper, and I was truly thankful for the 9 mile "long" run this past Saturday. It seemed so short, it was rather refreshing. I'm realizing more and more how mental this whole thing is. I knew I only had to run 9 miles and when it was over, I felt exhausted and didn't want to run anymore. But that's the same with every run, regardless of the distance. Unfortunately this wasn't the best run I've ever had...the first 5 miles it poured rain. I was soaked and dripping. However, I do think I enjoy running in the rain rather than the heat (I've started praying for the weather on Oct 4). Also my knee was bothering me almost the entire time which was kind of discouraging, but just like all the other runs, I made it!
This week's training runs will consist only of 3 and 5 miles, with a long run on Saturday of 8 miles. It seems so strange to run 3 miles for a training run...it's been months since I've done that! I also couldn't seem to justify an ice bath after only 9 miles of running, so I didn't do it...but now I'm wishing I had. I keep hearing the more I do it, the better I will feel.
Only 13 days until the marathon, and I know they are gonna go quick! Also after this last week of training I ran past the 300 mile mark! With all the miles strung together I've run the same distance from my current house in Vancouver to my parent's house in Wenatchee. Whoa.
I'm becoming increasingly nervous for marathon day...my book keeps telling me I'm ready...but when I think about standing there at the starting line all by myself in a huge crowd of people getting ready to run the longest distance of my entire life...and the enormous amounts of pain about to ensue...I am frightened.
I'm also becoming increasingly thankful that this is nearing the end. I fear I've lost my gusto. I know that it's probably because my life has changed so much the last few weeks with the new job, and it can't be helped, I just kind of wish I was finishing this a little bit stronger. Until next time.