just 8 miles.

Saturday we knocked down our long run a bit in order to have a recovery week and boy did I need it! I was so exhausted last week and don't know if I could have run anything over 8. Of course I think the majority of it was just mental for me Saturday morning, because I'm sure if I had to run 14 miles, then I would have been able to finish it, but I sure am glad it was just 8. I ran with one of my best running buddies, Katie, and she makes it so much easier. Everyone else I usually run with was out of town, so I dearly missed them too. I have been taking the past few days easy because I am having problems with my hamstring, so I need to let it fully recover before this Saturday when I am set to run at least 14 miles!! I can't wait!

I have been glued to the TV watching the Olympics since it started. I think this is the first Olympics I have really gotten into and I want to see as much as I can! I've been cheering for Michael Phelps in swimming nonstop. He is such an amazing swimmer and from what I can tell, an overall nice guy. I missed the men's 4x100 freestyle relay the other night, but had to record it so I could watch it the next day. As I watch other sports, a clip came on showing that the US men won, so I knew the outcome, but still had to watch the race myself. It was amazing! That swim has to go down in the books as one of the best all time wins in athletic history. If you didn't see it, you must watch it. Jason Lezak came from behind in the last leg to win the race by a mere mili-second. I had chills watching it. Here's the link, if you missed it, http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/share.html?videoid=0811_HD_SWB_HL_L0194.

Seeing all of the competitive action really makes me miss being a competitive athlete. It's so inspiring to hear stories of comebacks and especially to see 32 year old Jason Lezak break the all time record for fastest 100 m split in a relay. And have you seen the women's Beach Volleyball?? Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh kick butt. They are really great to watch, and I have never really been a big beach volleyball fan, but you have to see them. Although I doubt I will ever really become that competitive in running, it does give me a little more motivation to keep at it. Maybe once I get old and gray and I am still running, I'll hit my prime and be able to at least win in my age group!

So enough about the Olympics, although I think if you aren't watching it, you should! For an update on my fundraising, I have currently raised $4,017.20!! I am not far off from my fundraising goal and even closer to my fundraising minimum of $4100! Thank you so much to everyone who has donated and supported me. I truly don't think I can ever thank you guys enough! I am getting closer and closer to the marathon and will definitely be thankful to everyone for helping to get me there!