To update anyone who read my previous blog )waffling about running a race when I was just coming off a pretty brutal one), I opted out. I am glad I did. My knee is still not at 100%. I am running easy though and it is much better. I have a race coming up this Sunday (Las Vegas RocknRoll Half) but will be treating it as a training run. Beginning 12/5, I have 16 weeks until my first full marathon so do not want to start off with a setback from running too hard. We are also going to be on vacation and I would like to comfortably walk around at the Grand Canyon the next day! I figure it will be enough of a challenge to hit my training pace splits amid the distraction of running Elvi and other Las Vegas sights and sounds. I am looking forward to it.

I really missed the therapy of running when I was recovering from my last half. We are still feeling the loss of my nephew keenly, and the holidays are tremendously difficult. I need my runs!!

I may do a tuneup half in late January, but otherwise do not plan to be in any races until the full marathon in March. I also plan just "to finish" on this first one, so will be logging lots of easy miles between now and then.