This week’s training was a struggle to fit in, but with some persistence I got it done! We have a lot going on here at the house (more on that later) so I wasn’t able to run exactly when I planned, but I did manage to fit all the miles in: 4, 5, 8, and then 12 for the long run. My 12 mile long run was a dream, really. The weather was perfect, starting out in the upper 60s and landing in the mid 70s with not much humidity. I had made some technical adjustments to my gear that made the run go a lot more smoothly. I’ll go over those technical details for the running enthusiasts, but for everyone else, feel free to skip to the end.

Hydration: I wear a hydration backpack on my longer, hotter runs, and I discovered last week that my hydration bladder was leaking. So, Amazon Prime to the rescue, and I had a replacement in time for the next long run. I recently started using a hydration product called Tailwind to mix in my hydration pack and I love how it keeps me from experiencing that “empty tank” feeling. My cousin, who is a seasoned distance runner, recommended it and I’m super happy he did because it’s been a lifesaver.

My deaf/blind vest: This vest has become a crucial component to my running gear. I get passed by so many bikers and runners on these trails and on the city sidewalks, and they always give me plenty of space. This is reassuring to know they are getting the message that I can’t necessarily see or hear them coming and can’t always get out of their way. Because without that vest, I look like every other runner out there, and simply shouting “on your left!” isn’t always going to work.

Feet: I’ve realized that my running shoes are too small. When you are running for these super long distances, your feet swell, so it’s usually recommended that you buy your running shoes a half size larger than your normal size. Which I knew, but regrettably ignored. Last year, when I was training for my half marathon, I developed a blister underneath the second toenail on my right foot. Which turned the nail black. It hasn’t been the same since, but it didn’t offer enough discomfort for me to do anything about it. Until now. These long runs especially have been aggravating it, causing a new blister to form, and I finally just cut the nail down as short as I could and managed to pop the blister. Yet it still wasn’t healing, so after some Google/Amazon research I landed on a silicone toe

cap to wear during my runs. I ran all 12 miles Saturday wearing that toe cap. The next morning I woke up to sweet relief! No pain or tenderness in that toe! It looks pretty gnarly and I won’t be showing my face at the nail salon for pedicures anytime soon, but I’m convinced that toe cap will protect it during all my running and allow it to heal properly.

Honest thoughts about the marathon training process: I don’t know if this is true of other first time marathon runners, but I’m really starting to get nervous about finishing this race in time for the cut off (because that’s really my only goal). The farthest distance I’ve run up to this point is 16 miles and that was at a snail’s pace, and still 10 miles short of the race distance. This week felt like a lot of miles and it’s not even at the peak of my training plan. I’m starting to get really tired and I’m thinking to myself “can I really do this?” As of the writing of this post, I don’t have an answer to that question. I really don’t know. But my husband believes I can. My family and friends all believe I can. So I’m borrowing some of their hope in me for the time being, until some of my own confidence is restored. One day, one mile at a time.