How Did We Get Here?!

I cannot believe there's only two more days and then race day!!!

How on earth did we get here so fast?! These past four months have flown by, though at times they definitely seemed to be creeping by. Slowly. Really slow on some days (miles).

So where am I medically and physically going into this race?

Not where I wanted to be. But so much further than I was four months ago.

The past few days have been very painful. The nerves are not liking the current heat wave. Yesterday's run was excruciatingly painful, and had to be cut short. Tonight's run hurt a lot - but it was more manageable than yesterday. Right now I want to go sit in a bathtub full of ice to numb it all.

I had an MRI  yesterday. Achilles seems to have healed. Doctors are pretty sure it's all nerve stuff from the autoimmune neurological mess again.

Medically I am still getting a green light and told to enjoy the race. I go for three more follow-ups with three different doctors/specialists next week when I get back. No end to that fun in sight.

I've noticed a huge difference in my running and level of pain based on the weather. It's been enlightening and frustrating at the same time.

Despite the pain, I'm ready to run. I've had a bunch of ups and downs emotionally in the past couple of weeks, as notification after notification of more responders dying from 9/11 have come through, and as I was contacted regarding the lack of WTC care in TN. I am so incredibly thankful for the people like John Feal who are out there fighting for us. I honestly could not fight on my own. It's all I can do to get through the constant medical exams and treatments, get up each day and get everyone up and out the door on time, go to work and do the best I can to do my job, come home and take care of my family, house, yard and daily life, and squeeze run training in on top of it. Running has become my therapy again. Some days it hurts like crazy - but it still helps with the emotional healing. Some days it is wonderful - and those highs get me through a lot of the darker days. I have this insane group of people, including my coach and one of my best friends, who have kept me laughing through it all the past week, and I've noticed how much better my attitude has been because of it. I'm so grateful for them and their friendship.

So, physically, I think (and am almost certain) I can survive the 10K up and down Mill Mountain - but I don't think it's going to be easy or as fun as I'd hoped this year would be. Emotionally - I'm ready and thankful I can run.

Now... as far as packing, knowing what I'm wearing on race day or being ready to actually drive four hours to Roanoke and get through race weekend.... I've got some work to do. Guess I should go get started.