Doubt?

I always say that there is nothing like getting close to a race to make you doubt everything you think you know about your conditioning. 

So I completed a 20 mile training run this past Saturday, and overall it was what I was looking for at this point.  A little warmer out than I would have liked, but it is what it is.  Sunday and Monday go by and I'm still feeling pretty good about the run and my body fared pretty well with no aches and pains.  Until Tuesday...  For some reason I'm feeling like I've got a tweaked nerve or something in my right leg (typically my problem leg when I do have problems...).  It could be ITB syndrome again, but kinda weird as I had felt any issues there during my training runs in the past.  Doesn't seem right that it would just crop up 3 days later.  I did get a good bike training in on Sunday and 6.5 mile tempo run on Monday, so maybe that did it?  I dunno, but I toned it down to 3.2 miles yesterday and think I'm resting completely today.  Sitting here with an ice bag on my leg now for good measure.

Anyhow, this whole thing is affecting my mental state and putting doubts in my head about completing my training prior to the marathon 10/15....like, what if I get out there for my next long run of 22+ and end up hurting it worse, etc.   I know better than to give in to such foolish mortal-like thoughts, yet, it still sits in my mind.  Of course, that's all part of it right?  dealing with the insanity that is our own minds....  No worries though, I'm still going to push and complete my training.  If I end up with some pain after the last long run, then I'll just have to suck it up and deal with it.  No way I give up on my goals for October, come too far and worked too hard....

August Recap

Good month, probably a soild "B" overall.  I came into the month thinking I was going to come out knowing exactly where I stood for distance and speed for the upcoming marathon.  While I didn't get the two very long runs in, I did get a good idea of how my body would react after the 1 16+ miler.  I'm planning on 20 tomorrow and a 23+ in a week or two which should solidify my training for mid-October. 

Mileage-wise, I ended up with 124.65 running and added 45.2 on the bike.  Not a bad month considering I had a week long work trip and vacation in the World for an additional week. :-) I've kept my weight down as well, hovering around 189-190, which is down 5 lbs from where I have been the past 2-3 years.  With that, I'll be right at the weight I'd like to be for mid-October if not a couple of lbs lighter....just need to watch that evening snack-fest that I love. 

I was pleasantly surprised at my annual running total and where it positions me for my annual total in comparison to the past 3 years.  I'm at 990.75 for this year (added on 5.1 yesterday) with 4 months left.  I haven't had a month under 100 miles this year, so I'm looking at 1400+ miles running for 2011.  The past 3 years looked like this:
2010 - 982.46 (348.21 cross training miles)
2009 - 719.04 (1085 cross training miles...more due to injury and surgery)
2008 - 703.69 (*started running in February of 2008)

Feel like I've come a long way with my running since I decided I would start running for the 2009 Disney Half-Marathon....  You could say about my running.... "remember, this was all started by a mouse..."  I sometimes joke about writing a book titled "How Disney Saved My Life".  Honestly, it may not be far from the truth as I haven't been in this good of health and fitness since my first year of college...in certain aspects, I'm in better shape now than I was even then!  Had it not been for the challenge of running a half marathon in Disney, I may have never picked up running and who knows what would have happened.