Tomorrow, I am running the PF Chang’s Rock’n’Roll AZ Half Marathon! This race was supposed to be my first full marathon, until I injured my hamstring.

 

That’s about where it hurts. The injury is up nice and high, so as to make it that much harder to rehab. I am still running the half tomorrow, just at a very conservative pace. I already know it is going to be hard and frustrating to hold back. Devin is running with me and promises to keep me in line and not let me push to hard. Why do I have to be so competitive!? With myself, that is, because we all know that I can’t compete with the amazing people that are running RNRAZ tomorrow. I tend to think “this race will just be for fun, and I won’t worry about time.” That’s what I said about Sally’s 5K and about the Hot Chocolate 15K, and look where that got me, haha!

Moving on!

I went to the expo today and had a great time!

Very cool medal!! Can’t wait to add it to my collection

13.1, but that’s ok, too!

That’s me faux running across the pretend finish line with a 2:03 marathon time

A girl can dream, right, lol!?

Karen and a bunch of her Sole Sports peeps are running the half while carrying the dragon tomorrow!! I can’t wait to see this….

It was so great to see you today, Karen! I miss you!!!!

I am also super excited, because I got to audition for Team Refuel!! Monica from RunEatRepeat is a team member, and I love her! It would be SO cool if I made it into the top 20 so everyone could vote for me!

I met Kimberly from Team ASPCA, and learned about opportunities to raise money for animals and run different races across the nation! This is such a great opportunity! I have always wanted to run for animals, now here is my chance!

After the expo, I got a short massage to work out the huge kink in my neck and shoulder from Lord only knows what. I have been working on this area in PT, and sometimes it just acts up for no apparent reason. It was causing a headache today, and was out of control.

When I got home, I ran 2 miles in about 20 minutes and felt fantastic! There were a few “hamstring says back off!” moments during the run, but I listened. My only worry about tomorrow is hills. I may even have to walk up them. Oh well, hills suck anyway coach Susan says to give the same effort going uphill as you do everything else. I just might end up falling back down the hill after slowing down to accommodate my hammy, lol!

After my run, I fixed a pre-race dinner for Devin and I. I just threw together a bunch of veggies and fresh herbs, sautéed them, cooked ground turkey with them and threw them in with some veggie pasta.

Along with some baked sweet potato fries, we had heaven on a plate!

Just ask Devin

After Devin and Bull headed home for their pre-race beauty sleep, I took a bath, shaved my legs and relaxed in front of my Google Reader with some fresh juice.

Damn my toes look good like Ali decided to chew on them and paint them herself!

Slathered on some of my new favorite body lotion, and called it a night. (Karma Kream from Lush is so delectable smelling, I could eat it!)

I want to wish my wonderful friends Ari and Nicole luck on their FIRST MARATHON tomorrow!! You ladies are going to kick this marathon’s ass!! Good luck to all of the BTB members racing, including my amazing coach Susan “Smokin’ Loken” who is the best coach ever!! It is such a blessing to be a part of such a talented and fun team with such great people! I am proud to be wearing my new BTB team shirt tomorrow!!

Off to sleep I go! Good luck to anyone running RNRAZ tomorrow! I hope to see everyone at the race!

Happy Trails!

Stacey