Kristen McLane

Posted by Kristen McLane on October 18th, 2007 in Uncategorized

I’m eager and yet terrified at the prospect of running in the half-marathon on Sunday.  I trained all summer and I should be able to do it but since coming back from vacation I have not wanted to go running.  I didn’t run on vacation - we went hiking just about every day so I did keep up a certain level of exercise.  I have two worries - 1) my left foot.  I haven’t made a big deal about it but I’ve had pain in my left foot all summer.  It is mostly in the arch/heel area of my foot.  I can run through the pain just fine.  But the pain is severe after the run.  In fact, I haven’t run in about two weeks and I still have tenderness in that area.  2) Time & Speed.  I’m not a fast runner.  I’m okay with that.  However, what makes the Detroit Marathon unique is that it is "international" meaning that the course crosses into Canada.  There are time restrictions stipulating when the border must be closed.  If you haven’t reached the border by a certain time, then you are made to board a bus and your race is over.  That would be humiliating to me.  I’m running for me but I’m also running for my dad.  This year the Detroit Marathon is a family event.  My dad is running the full marathon, my mom and I are running the half marathon and my sister is running the 5k.  I’m sure that everything will be fine.  That when I cross the finish line I will have a huge smile on my bright (bright!!) red face and in my euphoria, I’ll already be dreaming about next year.