And the award goes to...

Today's Miles: 2 miles. Recovering from yesterday's last long run..

In less than 7 days, I will be running the Kickin' Asphalt 1/2 Marathon in Murphy, NC. For my non-runner friends, that's 13.1 miles in a NC mountain town with a population of probably around 200....which is about 120 more than what have registered for this race as of Friday....but I'll get to that in a minute.

I went on my last long run yesterday...9 miles. 9.Very.Long.Miles. But it was so much better than the very miserable 12 miler last weekend. The 12 miler included 6 miles of two calf muscles locked up tighter than Sister Mary Claire's chastity belt. After that run....I seriously did not want to run again.

Ever.

For about 3 days.

So, back to this half-marathon. 

Originally, my friend Megan and I were going to run a new 1/2 marathon in Knoxville. But it got canceled....and I find out after we had started training. So, I went in a mad search to find another 1/2 marathon in the NC/TN area within a couple of hours drive of Knoxville, TN and Franklin, NC. And by chance or dumb luck, I found the 1/2 marathon in Murphy. I've never been to Murphy. For some reason I have a feeling it's much like Mayberry. 

I've been burning up with questions about this race over the last week. The website is so completely vague that I was getting very concerned about some of these things! I remember stories from other running friends about being in some Mayberry 1/2 Marathon that didn't have water breaks; what if I don't get to Murphy Friday night in time to pick up my packet; wonder if they have any good restaurants; will they have Gatorade at the water stops (or are they going cheapo and getting a nasty knock-off)? Seriously. These kind of questions have been keeping me up at night.  So, I did like every other anal runner. I emailed the race director with about 13 questions.

To my relief, there are lots of water breaks, Gatorade stops, and even Jelly Belly stops! They've got porta potties spread out along the course (though hopefully I won't need one). 

Back to how small of a town/race this is going to be...as of Friday, there were 80 registered. Megan made 81. Seriously. We may actually come in LAST! 

However, if I play my cards right, I can trip my good friend Megan before we get to the finish line.....and I won't be last!!! (Just Kidding Meg! I'll give you a gentle shove backward across the finish line! :)

And best news of all.....THEY'RE GIVING OUT MEDALS AT THE END!! 

This may sound silly....but if I'm going to run 13.1 miles....I want some hardware at the end!

In fact, I've decided that someone needs to be standing at the end of my driveway with hardware at the end of any run that's longer than 9 miles. Really! I'm fairly certain it takes more talent to run that long and hard than to read a script for a movie....Right? 

First, I would like to thank God for giving me the ability to run...

And I want to thank my very patient, very loving and very understanding husband who couldn't be with me tonight because he's working. Thanks babe for putting up with my running-stuff.

Athleta, you make THE best keep-you-warm, sweat-wick-ing-ness running gear ever!

 To Dr. Gipson, despite your best efforts to get me to stop, but with your help, you keep my feet in-tact so that I can run!

Brooks...you simply make the best shoes on the planet!

Victoria's Secret....Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! for No-Seam panties.

Maroon 5, Kelly Clarkson, Nickelback, Daughtry and Lady Gaga....I just simply couldn't make it past 6 miles without you.


Gatorade and Jelly Belly....thanks for keeping the cramps at bay...this time.


God... again....for water.


To the man that invented the hot water heater......you are SOOOO flipping AWESOME!! I want to name all of my kids after you.....but "Hot Water Heater Man Campbell" doesn't really have a ring to it?


Foot Smart....how can I ever say thank you enough for selling the most insanely expensive, but oh-so-necessary neutral foot-bed orthotic houseshoes! Really. I'm not joking.

And finally to Aasics, thank you for making the sexiest Granny compression socks on the planet!

Gotta Run.....


Oh and thanks to all the little people....for whatever it is you do...