Countdown, Part I

With newfound insight into the personal psychology of long distance running, I have found myself this past week thinking less and less about the marathon. The past week's runs were, at the risk of sounding arrogant, Breezy McEasy. Dare I say that yesterday's 12mi long run seemed short and carefree?

I know not to get ahead of myself; the marathon itself will test everything I know to be true. But if there is one thing I've learned it's to have faith in the process. A few months ago, I wouldn't have dreamed of using the words "short" and "carefree" in conjunction with running 12 miles. Nor would my body have the strength and/or stamina to support such a declaration.

I will say, however, that I am looking forward to being finished with all this training. Until I train for another race, I doubt I'll muster the patience to run much farther than 12 miles on any given run in the near future. Then again, that 20 miler felt pretty darn awesome.