Half Marathon Countdown - 7days -

I headed out with the Trailhawks for a preview of the Sander's Saunter course (more details here: http://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=18024), and my last Saturday run before the half marathon.  I was cursing getting up early on a Saturday & the cold.  Thankfully it was a beautiful morning for a run with Mech Hawk, Shiner Hawk, Story Hawk & Lampchop (Story Hawks fourlegged trail running friend).  They made me lead and right away I knew that was a bad idea.  It was only my second time on the Clinton trails at the first turn I was already lost.  I also started off too fast for me as I have a tendency to do.  This all left me walking by the time we got to Sander's mound for the first time.  A beautiful view of the sunrise and then the run back down for the rest of the course.  I felt my legs getting tired about mile 2.5.  I insisted that Mech Hawk lead & figured I was in for a fall.  Somewhere around mile 4, while listening to another awesome story from Story Hawk, it finally happened.  I hit an upended rock stuck in the trail with my toe and hit the ground hard.  My palms and knees took the brunt of it, but I scrapped up my right arm and shoulder as I rolled off the trail to get out of Shiner & Story Hawks way.  I laid there for a few minutes 1. feeling like an idiot, 2. trying to mentally feel around and see if anything was broken, 3. mentally kicking myself for going to the chiropractor on Friday (I always seem to injure myself immediately after going to the chiropractor). 4. Noticing how beautiful the sky is from that angle.  Story Hawk hauled my unstable butt back to standing position and we started walking.  I was a bit dazed from the tumble, but quickly felt like running again.  Another mile or so on the clock and then I rolled my right ankle on a loose rock.  F@&*!  I walked that off too and ran as much as could back out to Sander's mound, walked the hill, and ran back down & up (Kansas is so not flat) to the end of the course.  I felt a bit bashed up, sore, and stupid for all the falling and twisting I'd managed to inflict on my body, but I finished the run.

Thankfully the hawks were all very nice and didn't make me feel worse about my falls than I already did.  ALthough Story Hawk did mention that the falling & twisting was good practice for FlatRock.  OH BOY!  What have I gotten myself into??!

I headed home to pick up my little monsters and head over to my BRF Kris's house to hang out, cook lunch, and watch her kiddos so she could head out for a run.  Overall, not the best confidence boosting run to have before my first half marathon, but I ran it (Minus the hills. I know, I know.  Hill training is needed) nothing is broken, & I had a pretty good day enjoying the days beauty, & hanging with an awesome friend.  Keep moving forward.  

This pic was taken by Mech Hawk from the top of Sander's Mound the first time through.  Absolutely beautiful & so worth getting up early & running in the cold for.