Falling Behind In My Postings

I survived the Chicago Marathon!

The weather was not ideal this year, but I couldn't back out of the race just because it was windy and might rain. It was a challenge mentally because I had anticipated running with my training partner, and she backed out that morning when I got to her house. I had visualized running the race with her, and had to quickly adjust to the idea of running the marathon solo. I began the race and told myself that if I truly wanted to back out after the half-marathon point I could. However, for the first time in three years, I had a big turn out of family members who came to support me. I was so surprised considering the weather conditions (I still don't understand why the race was pushed back to the end of October this year) and past involvement. I ended up finishing the marathon literally because of my family. I had to keep running to the next spot where they were waiting - if I dropped out and left them waiting for nothing, I feared that they wouldn't ever come out to support me for a race again. They had made signs, ran a little with me and were so excited to be there! I won't ever forget this race because their being there meant so much to me. Physically, the bottoms of my feet cramped up so horribly for the last couple of miles though. I need to figure out what happened there - I was told that I needed to stretch out my calves and feet more? Has anyone ever experienced this?

I then went on vacation for three weeks - good way to rest and incorporate lots of walking! Now I am back to cross training and strengthening. My endurance has suffered a little bit - I actually feel a strain. I am hoping to get out for a few runs this week. I am really getting jittery, but my jet lag has got me all out of wack. I think I am also nervous about testing out my feet - I fear that there will still be pain after a few miles. There is only one way to find out...