The day my running friends and I have worked so hard to get to is nearly here!!!! On Saturday morning, we will be crawling out of our beds around 3:30 a.m. to get ready to meet up and journey to the site of the KANSAS CITY MARATHON 2013!!!
I don't recall ever getting up that early for anything except a crying child!!! I honestly can't believe I will be able to do it, but I know I will pull it off!
As I've told you many times over the summer posts, this is the first half for some of us (me and Joan). Two of the other ladies have done that distance before. One other will be doing the FULL marathon for the first time and one will be doing the 5K distance!
Last Sunday, four of us were able to meet up for our last "long" run together in the training plan!
This summer long training plan has certainly helped me "adjust" to getting up really early on weekend mornings so we can get our longer and longer runs in before the hot summer sun is too high in the sky!
This was the last beauty before our half in less than a week!
My running friends have been amazing. . . .always posing for the various photos I wanted to document our journey.
On Sunday, after we'd finished our runs of 5-6 miles, there was NO ONE else available to take our "after run" shot, so we took them of ourselves!! Here are Joan (L) and Mary (right).
I'm on the left and Karen is on the right.
It was a "bittersweet run" on Sunday, as that meant we'd reached our goal. . .finished "the plan". Wow...the plan that we'd talked about in February. . .that just seemed like a lofty idea. . .had been put in place and DONE!!
Now, the final piece was to come. . .crossing the Start and then crossing the Finish at the KC Marathon this weekend!!
In preparation for the run, I've been carb loading this week. . .in a mostly healthy way. Heck, I carb load most every day anyway cuz I love carbs, but this week I included:
1. Homemade Chicken-Noodle Soup (made healthy!!!)
2. Turkey Meatballs with whole grain pasta and low sodium sauce!
3. Tuna Salad Sandwich on whole grain bread with a side of "pasta salad" made with left over spaghetti from the night before!
4. Turkey Sandwich on whole grain bread with a side of Organic Annie's mac and cheese (that's all I had in the cabinet that was fast to fix that night...but we love it!)
5. OK....not healthy, but oh so GOOD...half a Patty Melt with a few fries when we took our grand girl and daughter out for lunch on Thursday!!
I've also been hydrating all week, but I am a big water drinker anyway, so that's not hard.
One other thing I've done this week is "fix" the band on my Garmen watch! The pin keeps coming out of it and my band then detaches from my watch!! I haven't had time to get it repaired before the "run", so I took matters into my own hands and taped it together!!
Don't you LOVE this PINK tape? I do!
I also added my goal to it as a reminder. . .like I needed that, huh??
I've also been making a "list" of everything I think I'm gonna need in the morning!
It's not supposed to rain, but it's gonna be COLD so I have to think about "layers" of clothing. . .and I have certain things that can't be left at home...such as my watch and camera and phone and gloves and energy gels and water bottle and dry socks (for after the run). . .and on and on!! :)
THE STONE RABBIT is helping me with my list. . .cuz he knows how important this is to me!!
You know I'll have photos next weekend about our experience at the KC Marathon!!! I just hope my poor old, beat up camera cooperates!! Yes, it's been dropped many times over the last four years. . .but it keeps on working. . .mostly.
Please visit Beverly's blog, HOW SWEET THE SOUND, for a long list of other bloggers who are ready to share their PINKS or AUTUMNALS posts with you this weekend!!
DANA
Congratulations on this final post before your goal run. I know you can do this. Love you friend!!
Posted by: Melanie | October 18, 2013 at 06:32 AM
You have worked so hard, and now it is time. Go, Dana.
Posted by: | October 18, 2013 at 12:52 PM
Cheering you on from Dallas! Go, Dana, go!!
Posted by: Laura | October 18, 2013 at 04:48 PM
I am thinking of you! I hope you did well and that it wasn't too cold! I say this every time...you amaze me! I wish I had your dedication to exercise that you have to running! God Bless!
♥ Jil
Posted by: Jil | October 18, 2013 at 05:47 PM
Best of luck!! I've never gotten up that early for a run. Only to deliver papers...do a shift at work...haha! Your goal coming to fruit is sweet indeed!
Posted by: Jeannie Marie | October 18, 2013 at 06:34 PM
Dana, I am sure you will be awesome on your run. Your devotion to this half marathon has been outstanding. I wish you so much luck tomorrow, including your terrific running buddies. I love your photos and your menu of healthy eating. You look fab!!!
This is short as it is past bedtime and we have company. I am cooking for 21 people tomorrow. Tired, but enjoying the camera club this weekend.
I know you will have a great run.
Love you much,
Jeanne
Posted by: jeanne, backyard neighbor | October 18, 2013 at 08:39 PM
Go Girl Go Pink!! I decided today I will "try" to start running again. Well more like walk...walk...run..walk lol Eventually I will get it I know and should just think of getting through today not tomorrow. You inspire me thank you! Happy Pink Saturday Grace xoox
Posted by: Grace | October 19, 2013 at 05:10 AM
Congratulations on getting get to this part of the marathon with her friends.
It will be a keepsake forever and who knows what next year has to schedule another.
In my city we have many hills, have steep slopes, which make it very difficult walking and jogging, but still will leave on Sunday to go together.
Kisses
Deusa
Vasinhos Coloridos
Posted by: Deusa | October 19, 2013 at 06:15 PM
HI Dana! It's been forever since I participated in Pink Saturday! You've dropped by my blog before...but I didn't realize we were neighbors!!!
So, a huge congrats to you on completing the KC (1/2) Marathon!!! I'm so happy for you. One year ago, I was planning on running my first half-marathon in KC...but a nagging injury that required surgery prevented me. I thought it would be so cool to run 13 in 2013, but I guess it will have to be 13 in 14! LOL (I had chronic plantar fascia-itis and had a gastrocnemius (calf-lengthening surgery) performed.) It totally worked!!! Only like 1-2 percent of cases are ever so severe that they require surgery, but I've struggle with my feet and heels for years...probably from all my years standing on my feet teaching. ANYWAY, I fell off the workout wagon...and couldn't seem to get myself motivated until a few months ago. It was bittersweet to watch all the coverage today...BUT...I can walk like a normal human being again. I need to start walking though before I can get back into running.
Sorry so long...but I had no idea we were neighbors!
Again, congrats to you!!! Can't wait to see your pics!
Posted by: Valerie | October 19, 2013 at 07:48 PM