Let's try this again.....

Despite the looooooong summer and running hiatus, I've been able to push past the funk and jump right back into training.  Beginning the 3rd week of August, I started a non-typical training plan that would lead me up to Twin Cities Marathon on Oct. 2.

Longest run since Grandma's marathon on June 18 was just 6.5 miles, so I needed to quickly jump into double digits in order to feel somewhat prepared for 26.2.  The jump from 6.5 to 10 was pretty tough, mostly because I was coming off an injury that had left one leg feeling weaker than the other.  Each week I climbed by 2 miles and finished a 20 mile run just 7 days prior to the marathon, that was a first.  This unconventional plan left me wondering if I was going to be able to endure 26.2 on race day and still come in with a respectable finish, at least one that would give me confidence that I hadn't lost all training.

Going back to Minneapolis, where I had lived for 8 yrs, was like going home.  It's a place that's near and dear to me, a place that I still call home, and a place that's designed for runners.  From the plane ride in till our departure, each moment spent in the cities was marvelous (and crazy busy).  By Friday evening I was left with a throbbing migraine that required double my medication, large coke, hot bath, and an hour nap.  Thankfully, it was gone by morning!

 Some highlights of this weekend escape:  My dad ran the TC 10 miler and at the ripe o'l age of 64, he finished in just 1:27:00!!!  My hero....  We were able to go to the expo together and rummage through all the great MN running gear. :)

Then a traditional trip to TC Running Store with my bestest running buddy and friend to purchase our all time favorite running shoe--Nike Vomero 6.  Since 2001 we've been wearing the same running shoe, always Nike 'cuz that's what we're about---Nike girls for sure.  We always get a discount, the owners know us by name!

Dad and I just making sure the porta potties were ready for us!!  In Minneapolis, you can RENT bikes for the hour or the day!!  Lord knows you can't even safely ride a bike in Durham.  

We then took a stroll from the hotel to the start line, just making sure there were no surprises race day morning.  

Race day!!!!  My last day of being 30 something....last race in the 35-39 age category.....so sad....

 My mom had surprised me with a big balloon at the finish line, yeah, just another way to let me and everyone else know that I was turning 40....blah....I really struggled with this one.  Day after the marathon, I wasn't worried about what aches and pains I might experience, I was stressed that it was my 40th b-day....  At least I celebrated it just the way I wanted, with family and friends, and running a marathon.

Celebration at the finish line, state capitol building in St. Paul, MN with my family.  

Funny thing, there must have been 50,000 fans in the bleachers lining the finish line.  I was so taken back that I couldn't focus on faces, there were simply too many so I kept my head looking forward and inched my way to the finish line.  Suddenly, out of somewhere to my right, I heard what I was longing to hear, that familiar voice in the crowds of people, my dad.  I heard, "keep it up Faith, lookin' good!"  With tears in my eyes and a renewed joy in my heart, I crossed that finish line knowing the my biggest supporter, my hero, was there for me.