Reality CHECK!

Well, it's under 9 weeks until my half-marathon and I am really feeling stressed.  I really feel like I lost an entire month and a half due to over-training and knee pain, but I feel like I'm finally back on track.

Work has been overwhelming lately and I've been working incredible amounts of overtime.  It's been hard to fit in my training, but I have managed to stick by it and still haven't missed a day since I started on Thanksgiving.  On Superbowl Sunday, I was feeling pretty hung-over and said that I was going to skip my workout to give my knees a rest (lousy excuse, or is it?).  I got into my PJs and got in bed at 2100 hrs.  I just laid there and stewed.  I tried reading a book to relax and fall asleep, but my guilty conscious weighed on me. I couldn't help but think that my half-marathon was so close and I felt like I had made ZERO progress.  I got my butt out of bed and headed to the gym.  I felt like I had a lot of friends supporting my goals and me, but I also felt like I had asked a lot of friends for training advice and knee advice, but never heard back from any.  I was at a point of total frustration.

I went to the women's locker room, feeling completely down and out, and saw a heavy set woman, probably in her mid-forties sitting on the bench, staring into the mirror.  She probably weighed 260-280 lbs.  I had just heard her conversation with another stranger regarding soft-drinks and how hard it was for her to cut them out of her diet.  I couldn't tell if the stare into the mirror was a look of passive courage, or one of despair.  Sadly, it looked more like one of despair.  I wanted so hard to tell her that she was doing great and that we all have our own obstacles.  No matter how skinny, or how fit your are, it seems like we're just never happy.  What's the good in that?  Why can't we just find satisfaction just in the simple fact that we are out there trying our best.  This was a reality check for me.  I hit the treadmill and put it at a 1% incline.  I ran 6.7 miles, the equivalent of a quarter marathon, the equivalent of a "half" half-marathon.  I suddenly felt more positive. 

Thanks to Stefhan, Liz Jaquez and Nancy Lin who have really jumped in and supported me fully.  Stefhan has looked around for awesome orthopedic doctors and researched my knee problems.  Nancy is always positive and upbeat and helped with some training advice.  Liz has proven to be an avid follower of my blog and even sent me an email informing me of some awesome new tights, which is the topic of my next paragraph.

Liz pointed out to me the CW-X Stabilyx tights.  I ordered them from backcountry.com for $100 and they arrived the next day (today).  I tried them out today on a 6 miler outside around the neighborhood.  I have to say, I was thrilled with the results.  I definitely noticed next to no knee pain in my left knee.  My right knee was a little tight, but the tightness didn't come on until mile 4.  I believe I can attribute this to the new tights.  Google them and check them out, I really think they were worth their money already.

Well that's enough for now.  I don't want to bore you entirely.  I'll let you know how it goes as the countdown to the HALF-MARATHON BEGINS!!!