Welcome to my latest marathon and fundraising update.

I am approaching the crest of the hill. This was a “step-back” week, with a long run of 14 miles.  This relatively gentle week was in preparation for the big daddy of training weeks, Week 15.  Week 15 is a 40-miler: 20 miles during the week, and 20 miles on Saturday.  I won’t lie: I’m intimidated by it. However, I know that it will be the ultimate pre-marathon test.  Besides, just beyond the 20-miler on Saturday lies the 3-week tapering period, when I actually run a little less each week so that I can store up my energy for October 9.  After 3 months of training, I have been looking forward to tapering for some time.

Experienced marathoners report that they start to feel antsy while tapering.  After logging multiple high mileage weeks, they start to feel practically desperate to run when forced to rest.  Imagine a thoroughbred stamping at the gate.  At this point in my training, it’s a little hard to imagine that I’ll feel quite that eager. However, this whole experience has been pretty unbelievable.  It’s frankly still a little hard for me to believe that I’ve made it this far and am less than 4 weeks from my goal.  However, if I can run 40 miles in a week and read Runner’s World with this much interest, then anything is possible.

On the fundraising front, we hit two huge milestones: 100 donors and $10,000!  Talk about unbelievable!

What’s been just as meaningful is the emotional support that you’ve all provided along the way. The encouraging emails, the questions about my training, your concern for my family, and your willingness to listen have all been more important to me than you’ll ever know. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Best,

Meredith

Week 14 Miles Run: 33

Cumulative Miles Run: 334

Donors: 100!

Dollars Raised: $10,315

Weeks to go: 4