New Shoes- Check! New Bra- Check! Body Glide- Check!

Fortunately for me, I got to go to Manhattan Beach at the end of September to see my new nephew, Sebastian.  While visiting my brother and his wife, my mom and dad and I drove to Malibu to take a look at the course.  We drove the 26.2 miles and I was exhausted just driving it, let alone running it. 

The first 13 miles was all farmland and relatively flat.  I don't know if it's my perspective or something, but it still felt like there was a slight incline.  After the first half, we drove along the Pacific Coast Highway.  The road was beautiful and high above the ocean.  A little twisty in some spots and some rolling hills.  It was all manageable until I saw mile 18.  At mile 18, the real big rolling hills appeared before my eyes.  They seemed pretty steep and long, but again, I hope that's just my perspective and that I'm just expecting the worst and hoping for the best.  I'll be looking forward to the other side of the hill.  With each big climb there is a descent on the other side, only to be met with another hill in front of me.  The race has a large downhill finishing section, which will come as a relief.  All of my training runs so far I have ended up running up hill to finish.  I am hoping that this training pays off.

So far, my knees feel pretty good.  They are no where near 100%, but I think they are good enough to get me through the race. 

Today I ran by the Salt Lake Running Company and burned through some cash.  I picked up a new pair of "race" shoes, some body glide, a new sports bra, and shorts.  For the last two pairs of shoes, I ran in the exact same pair.  Today, they didn't have a size 9 in the same pair, or the pair that are like them.  So of course, I ended up buying the 9 1/2.  This new pair has the same motion control for my over pronation, but has a little less cushioning and is a little bit lighter.   I'm hoping the 9 1/2 will work out in my favor.  There is a good chance that it may help with the blisters that I was still experiencing.

Tonight I have a 20 miler, which I believe will end up to be around 22.2 miles.  I will try the new shoes out on this run.  If they don't work, Salt Lake Running Company will be happy to take them back and I'll pick up the size 9 1/2 in my old pair that I was running in. 

Fingers crossed tonight's run will go well.  It's my last really big run before the race.  I will back off on the mileage after tonight's run.  Hallelujah!!!

Thanks for reading!
Charli