2 WEEKS!!!!!

I can't believe it's 2 weeks until the big day!  I was thinking back to the end of May when I posted that it was 2 weeks until the training started and where I was physically and mentally.
This journey, both physically and mentally, has changed me for the better so no matter how the marathon goes I'm proud of myself!   

Going back and reading my blog has been very cool for me.  When I write I just write (often times how I talk) without much thought (shocking, right? ha ha) so going back to really see things that came out is interesting.  I'm happy I chose to blog about this journey.  I have to say, I get really excited when I meet people who have found my blog, relate to my blog, enjoyed my blog, shared my blog, gave running a try because of my blog...hell, I'm just happy people read it ha ha.

So hear I am 2 weeks away and it still stands...I'm sad it's almost over, but I'm excited to get to Chicago.  I keep reading about the taper weeks where we are cutting back our running significantly to help our bodies rest and repair before the big day and while it's barely been much cut back, it's been a challenge.  In the beginning I thought a 3-5 mile jump was tough and here I am thinking a 20 mile run to a 12 mile was tough.  It's crazy how your perspective changes!
I've realized just how mentally and physically strong I am.  I never thought I'd be able to do a 20 mile run (I took a wrong turn and actually did 21 ha ha) on a random Saturday morning, but I did it and felt great!  To date, I have run 405 miles in training runs!  I still have 30 miles of training before I go out to earn my 26.2 car magnet ha ha!  It's both incredible to think and easy to understand how I've been able to run what I've run. 
I've read and experienced how runs can go from bad to worse in seconds-not physically, but mentally.  Once you let the negative thoughts come into your head you're done so (as I've mentioned) I've been really focusing on positive thinking and even shared this link on my blog Facebook page about mantras.  Check it out....not just for running.
I am organized and a list maker so things like making my packing list and starting to set things out for Chicago has also helped me stay positive and excited while I'm struggling with, "It's almost over..what am I going to do Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturdays when I don't have training runs?"
My goals for the marathon moved all over the place throughout my training. 
My goals were: finish -> don't have a heart attack -> sub 4 hours, and since my 20 mile...er 21 mile run it has moved to more seriously, "maybe you can qualify for the Boston marathon."  That's where I'm at today.  Am I holding myself to it and keeping that as my end all, be all?  No, but over the last few weeks I've watched my times, felt how my body was reacting/feeling on long runs, and I've noticed some consistency to where I may have what it takes to qualify.  (For me to qualify for Boston a lot depends on age....if my BQ time is my age the day of the Boston Marathon I have a much better shot than if it's my time is based on my age when I run the Chicago Marathon)  If I do qualify, great, 2015 here I come.  If I don't that's okay too I'll run another marathon instead, but it's another example of how my mental and physical have changed throughout this process. 
I can't stress enough how manageable and attainable a marathon can be....What's holding most people back are the negative thoughts, "I could NEVER do that!" My continued advice...Start Small! Pick a 5k and set your goals incrementally from there! 

"Anybody can be a runner. We were meant to move. We were meant to run. It's the easiest sport." -Bill Rodgers