Running Journal ~ 18 days to go!

Did you know I can run an 8.5 minute mile!!! Neither did I!!!!
Okay, so it's only for a minute or so, and then after that my asthma kicks up and tries to shut off my airway, but hey...I can. =0) My coach paced me today. When she caught me she said I was doing an 8.5 minute mile and to "SLOW DOWN"!!!!!! =0) My body wants to run about a 10.5 minute mile naturally, but I can't sustain that for the whole race. My coach left me for about a quarter of a mile to get her watch that tells what pace you're running, and so that she could figure out what "warmup" pace I can sustain for half the race, before I am allowed to kick it up to the 10.5 (if I still have the umph by then). We determined that I could sing (sort of) "Shout to the Lord" at an 11 to 11.5 minute pace. It has the same tempo. So my prayer request for race day is "DON"T LET ME START TOO FAST!!!!", then I think I will walk less (because I'll be able to breathe throughout the run), and finish in the estimated 2 1/2 hours (that's what my coach said tonight!). My other coach (Kathi) is running the full marathon to better her qualifying time for Boston, and Coach Eileen thinks I will beat her to the finish line! I don't know about that, but I think even if I run the whole thing at an 11 minute pace, I will definitely beat my goal of 3 hours. I was doubting that this week because it took me the whole 3 hours to do the 10 mile course last Saturday, but I was running too fast (trying to keep up with Amy who runs like a gazelle ~ fast with long strides). Now I have hope! =0) Hope floats you know. =0) (oh boy, I must be getting tired...)
My other prayer request is that my legs will recover quickly during this recovery and tapering period so that on race day I can give everything I have and not worry about tired or tight muscles, and the occassional odd pains that shoot through my knees and legs. I think my recovery process will be slower since I work on my feet for 8 hours 5 days a week. Not really worried though. God is gracious and will sustain me so I can ENJOY the run and the view along the way. Praise to HIM for bringing me this far.
Night Y'all.