Countdown is really on

We are really down to the nitty-gritty of this race. We have less than a week to show off all of our hard work and dedication. I've been thinking a lot lately about what this half means to me. It's so different this time around. First off, I have trained much harder than last year. I can honestly say that I just ran last year to get me out of the house. If I didn't, I'd often find myself curled up in a ball of tears grieving over the loss of my mom. It really helped me through those  hard days. I was able to shift my focus to something more about ME. I was able to lose myself for 5, 10 or even 30 minutes at a time when I needed it most. I also have to give big props out to the other two ladies. If it weren't for them pushing me to just get out there as little or as often as I could, I wouldn't have even shown up for that race. I had no shame that I walked close to the last half of that race. What kept me going was that I knew I had quite a cheering section waiting for me and I didn't want to let them down. 

This time around I still don't want to let them down. My expectations are so much higher. I don't want to have to walk if I don't have to. I want to run as much and as long as possible all while shaving off some significant time off of the last race. I know that it isn't the end of the world if I do, but I hope to not. I know that now I am more mentally and physically prepared (even though many days I feel like I'm not). And I know that once again I couldn't be here if it weren't for my loyal and faithful running buddies. Without them, I'd still be sitting on the couch just dreaming of trying to accomplish yet another half marathon. I am grateful for their patience, strength, support and many, many laughs. You two make this all the more worth it. 

{You can all expect me to be one sobbing mess as I cross that finish line because I'm very emotional like that. Let's hope that whoever captures that photo gets my good side, lol.}