Am I really going to run it?!?

At the 2012 Bolder Boulder pre-race expo, there was a small booth where a couple of delightful people sat, eager to talk about their new marathon: the Monument Marathon in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.  It sounded fantastic! I was ready!  But life got in the way.  In 2012 it turned out that already-scheduled-and-couldn't-be-rescheduled events conflicted with the timing of the marathon.  In 2013, summer training was a disaster and there was no way I was ready for a fall marathon.  Hooray for 2014!  What a great summer of training.  Every hard run, every long run, hills, speed, everything...check! check! check!

Until....two weeks ago. There I was in the back garden, me, a shovel, and YEOW! a rock.  Ankle twisted...or something. Whatever it was, my ankle became swollen and very sore.  I tried ignoring it for a few days - with no success. Since then, my brains kicked in and I backed off training a bit, pulled out the ice packs and opened the Ibuprofen bottle. Today, there are actually periods of time when the ankle doesn't even hurt. We'll call it good. 

Then two days ago, I was on campus for the class I am senior-auditing.  I walked toward the building where the class is held and decided to try a different door from my usual.  As I approached, I noticed a sign on the door about classroom access.  I stared hard at the sign trying to read it as I approach. Whoops! Who put that step there?!?  I went flying, skidded on my knees and crashed into the door with my head.  Oh lordy that hurt. And bled.  But, nothing that a bandaid, ice and aspirin won't fix.  I hope!

Today the packing began.  We're taking Hedwig (our motorhome), and have a reservation at the campground within spitting distance of the bus pickup for the ride to the start and the finish line. I am psyched!  A road trip!  Camping in Hedwig! A marathon in the Nebraska badlands and along the Oregon Trail! Despite the gardening accident and the walking klutziness, I go into this marathon in pretty good shape.  I owe that in large part, once again, to running partners.  This summer in particular, running buddy Connie was ready, willing, and able to accompany me on all my speed sessions, tempo runs and huge portions of my long runs.  The picture below of Connie is from this week's cruise interval run along the South Boulder Creek Trail where we had the pleasure of cruising alongside the tall grasses glowing in the autumn sun.