200 miles to Memphis by car. One sleepless night broken by race nightmares. 13.1 by foot. One deep sleep broken by crushing leg cramps. Then 200 miles to Nashville.
In a nutshell, those are my next three days.
River City don't take that title too seriously, because I have a race packet to collect. And I will collect.
Once again, an August decision pits me against the challenges of running in a new city over a long distance. St. Jude Marathon, here I come. If I could finish two half-marathons in October, I can close the year in Memphis and made it an even four for 2009.
I've been told by amateur experts that anything more than five miles simply grinds bone and cartilage, but I also see runners in their 60s and 70s conquer the same route. Having preserved my knees through an amazing lack of physical activity through age 25, I think they can sustain me. This is not a full marathon; despite the urgings of people who completed one, I still have not an iota of interest; not every body is constructed for such distance.
That said, the feet injuries of the past few months give some pause, but not enough to stop me. I can mend over the holidays with a few 5Ks.
St. Jude, get ready for me.
St. Christopher, watch over me.Dear readers, please do the same.
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