The most scenic part of my run is on West Cliff Drive.

Well, I'm still able to walk which is really something considering how I felt Sunday afternoon. I did finish the 18 miles (barely) but I really did a number on my leg. Now this is not the leg that was already hurting. It's now my left leg (the calf area to be more precise) that is sore. It didn't hurt that much when I was running but by Sunday evening, I couldn't put any weight on that leg at all! It felt like someone was stabbing me. So, off to the doctor I went yet again on Monday. She said because the pain only occured when I put weight on it, it's only(!?) a muscle thing. So, she still isn't too concerned. I got another shot in the leg and today I'm able to walk on it ok. It's still sore and I'm continually icing throughout the day. Hopefully, I'll be able to do some runs this week but I feel like I need to take it easy.

The run on Sunday took every ounce of energy and every bit of focus I had. I felt good for most of it, but I ran out of steam for the last 3 miles. I think it was just all the training had finally caught up with me. I was seriously fatigued. At one point, I really thought, "Wow, that's it. I can't keep running anymore." However, I then thought to myself, "I'm not going to quit now. I can do this." I started to just focus on my running, my feet, my form, the ground, whatever it took so I didn't think about how tired I was. Then I saw my shadow on the ground. The way the sun was angled, it looked like someone else was running with me. Then I thought of Steph. It was almost like she just came up along side of me and said, "wow, look at you! You go girl. You can do anything you set your mind to." It was the strangest feeling but I really felt like something/somebody was pushing me along (or maybe I was just out of my mind from fatigue and endorphins!) and I knew I could I finish. When Stephanie was alive, she really was one my biggest cheerleaders and was always encouraging and I miss that immensely. Then, Martin and Ronan met me on the bike and he rode behind me and talked me through to the end. It's great to know that I have such amazing support.


Here's a picture of Ronan helping me refill my water bottles.