Countdown to Ultra.

Its  been a couple weeks since my last entry. I finished up my extern in Senatobia and went home for break. I skipped all my runs the 5 days I was home because I was working all day at my dad's farm. It was great to shed the white coat and sweat for a change. Anyway, this week was back to business as usual. Several short runs through the week and a 3:00am 21 mile long run on Saturday. I am ready. My legs don't tire. I don't breath any harder than while watching TV. My feet still start hurting at 19-20 but my shoes are in desperate need of replacement. This pair has 450-500 miles on them.

I am back at school for my last internship before graduation. The schedule sucks and makes it hard to get the medium length runs in. I have to get up between 4-4:30am if I am to get to clinic on time. One early day is manageable but multiple early days SUCKS. The end justifies the means.

Next weekend, Sept., 11th, I run the Bartlett Park Ultra-Marathon. http://www.runacrossamericaontrail.com/Bartlett_Park_Ultras.html . I hear "good luck" a lot from people who hear about my goal. I graciously thank them but covertly I know I don't need luck. The training, 3 months of 20-30 milers each weekend, says luck is not needed. "The harder you work, the luckier you get." There is a heavy message in that simple saying.

A couple friends and I ran out at Bartlett Parks where the event is to be held this morning. I have crossed the finish line a million times in my head but being there makes it more real. The trails are almost completely shaded which should help with the predicted 91 degree high predicted for Saturday. The terrain is a bit hillier than the website lead me to believe but its very run-able. The good thing is this trip dispelled many of the "unknowns" that keep me awake nights before races. I now have a realistic expectation of the race day atmosphere.