T- Minus 21 Days

Training for the Boston Marathon has coincided with perhaps the busiest time in my life thus far, but I am very grateful for this entire experience.  Running has been my therapy at the end of a long, stressful day. It is my treat to myself to just go hash out my thoughts over a 6 to 8 mile run.  And I have been able to reconnect with an old teammate and friend over early Sunday morning long runs.  While I am exhausted, the final weeks of training are here!  And the taper is actually one of my favorite times prior to a race.  Most of the mileage work is logged and all I need to do is maintain my fitness, increase my confidence, and stay healthy.  Last week I received my race number and was so excited to realize that this is really gonna happen.  And I am very grateful that I am going to be able to support BTRNC through this race.  It certainly makes all those 2 to 3 hour runs worth it.  In fact, towards the end of my 20-miler when my muscles didn't seem to want to go any further, I had my husband remind me of the Bostons that potentially will be helped.  My grandmother added the comment to her pledge form, "Think of all the Bobbys you'll be helping!" 

And as if I didn't need an additional reminder of the cause of dog rescue, after yesterday's long run a little Jack Russell terrier followed my husband all the way back to the car.  He let me know that after searching for an owner, no one knew where she came from and she had no identification on. The IM fields in Athens are notorious for dog dumping due to the high traffic of dog lovers and owners. She was in heat and from the looks of things she looked like she'd  had pups once before.  Her little tail whipped back and forth as we drove her to the shelter, and during the drive I started calling her Raisin.  Raisin is going to be held for 10 days to see if she is claimed, and then we are going to call about her and start recruiting a good home.  Sadly, our little abode does not have room for another pooch, though she requires little space.  And my feelings about the local shelter were somewhat put at ease when I saw about 8 to 12 volunteers there socializing with the dogs.  But, needless to say, she is still on my mind.  I know how many dogs are homeless out there, and how much of an uphill battle rescue is, but at least one dog placed in a good home, is one dog not suffering. 

On that note, there are a million things I need to be doing right now.  3 weeks till I'll be toeing the line in Boston!!