Two Weeks til Racing Day!

Yikes!  We are officially under the 2 week window.  I am trying to maintain my mental stability, but it is getting more difficult.  Especially since we had 2 tapering racers in our house last week...okay, so my "taper" was less than Kris', but boy was he in full taper mode!  My weekly mileage has decreased, and according to Coach Ian, I am supposed to be resting and ridding my life of stress- Kris told me to ask Ian if I could come live with him for a few weeks! 
This past weekend was the Tobacco Road Full and Half marathon at ATT!  I did not run- as I spent one final day with Steph at Turkey Creek on Saturday.  I am hoping that absence makes the heart grow fonder, so when I visit Turkey Creek again in 2 weeks, I am super excited to be there.....for 28 to 30 hours!  I did, however, volunteer at the Mile 2 Aid Station for the race.  And this was TONS of fun.  We had lots of great volunteers and runners- thanks to everyone that came out to help us volunteer and support PIFF. We got slammed all at once (the half marathon started 15 minutes before the full, so when there may have been a slight break, the madness started again!).  It was awesome, and everyone was still happy, since we were at Mile 2!  After breaking down the aid station, I headed to Mile 11 ish to see Kris and wait for Julie.  Kris looked great and was still running strong- going for that 3 hour break!  I saw tons of friends while waiting for Julie- and it was nice to  be able to cheer everyone on (since I missed everyone at the aid station).  Julie was running her first marathon, and is also running a lap with me during the 100 miler....so I thought it only fair  that I run a few miles with her!  She was still happy, smiling, and rocking it :)  I ran with her until about mile 14, and then broke off to run back to the finish to find Kris and KO. I knew KO was done since she called me while I was running with Julie, but I was not quite sure about Kris.  Both grabbed new PRs!  In fact, quite a few peeps got a new PR on Sunday :)  Including Julie!  Because the whole fun of doing a new race distance is that you always get a new PR!  Kris rocked his race, placing 30th overall, and 6th in his age group - who knew there were so many fast older, I mean more seasoned peeps :)  And, well, KO was planting her next marathon seeds :)  We all knew you'd be back!
And, alas, I entered a new age group this past week!  :)
Moving forward with the final 2 weeks of training!  I will try to practice my mental games and stress relieving skills.  Seasoned Ultra Dan suggested I not focus on the race until a few days out at this point- so here goes!

Kris in the final stretch of the marathon...he must have been moving since KO couldn't even get his whole head :)  Final Time: 3 hours 29 secs!

The Brasso Cup returns to the Clinard house!  Yes, that is a styrofoam cup with magic marker in a special glass case....silly boys are always fighting for this CUP!  Next Brasso Cup competition- White Lake Half Ironman....to be continued!

KO and Kris after the race- looking for PIZZA!  Two new PR's (KO for the Half and Kris from the Full)

Birthday Muffins! 

While this may not seem like an exciting birthday present to some of you....it was to me!  My new Petzl MYO XP headlamp for race day...I mean race night :)  And just pretend it is an abdominal lamp!

Birthday Dinner :)  (Val, Holly, Liza, Beth, Kelli, Tracey)

Ella- on the soccer field...but very UNINTERESTED in the actual soccer ball !!!!