Race Day is Sunday!

I cannot believe that my race is literally 4 days away. I’m equally as excited about it as I am incredibly nervous. My training started back in January and I stuck to my plan almost 100% which is kind of shocking. Unfortunately over the past 12 days, after feeling so good for the last 3 months, my body has taken a turn for worse and not better. Currently I’m on the brink of tears; partially because my right knee hurts so bad but maybe more so out of shear frustration. Cassidy and I have worked our butts off getting into shape, have got a majority of our splits below 8:10/mile. I am {or maybe were in my case} on target for a 10+ minute PR and up until this bizarre injury, my legs and lungs have felt nothing but fabulous. A lot of my training had to be down indoors on the treadmill but when I’ve been able to hit the pavement, I’ve battled wind/cold/drizzle and all with times I’m more than happy with and a really positive attitude. And then this. While I refuse to injure myself badly, I’m also completely set on crossing that finish line on Sunday morning in Toledo. Mentally I am prepping myself for a battle with my body and I’m committed to giving it everything I have. Very little, in terms of fitness, is more frustrating than training hard for a goal only to have it possibly altered due to pain.

This GIF below is an exact reflection of my mood over the last week & a half…

via GIPHY

Trying really hard to get my mind right, ice my knee like crazy, pop pain killers like they’re candy {kidding, kind of} and pray that there is light at the end of this tunnel. The weather was looking crappy but the forecast is now calling for mostly sunny skies and a high of 61*–how perfect does that sound!? Rain or shine, you better believe I’ll be at that starting line ready to roll at 7:05am EST on Sunday. One of the coolest parts about this Glass City Half is that you can live track the runners! You can even send me ‘cheers’ or words of encouragement thru their app {Race Joy, then search Glass City Marathon in Toledo, OH} or online. My bib # is 2870 if anyone is bored for about 2 hours on April 23 and wants to see where I’m at. Based on my splits, you’ll be able to see how my knee is feeling! Cassidy is bib # 4472–check her out as well to see if she’s leaving me in the dust! 😉

If you’re a praying person, my requests are that I’m able to run pain/injury free, that we have fun and that we’ve got energy & stamina to finish the race hard and strong. If you’re not a prayer warrior, we’ll take all the positive thoughts/energy/vibes you can send our direction! I won’t be running with my phone but plan to Snapchat {@kristinkruse} & post to Insta Stories pre-race and after and would love to have y’all follow along. The countdown is on!

13 Comments

Liz on April 19, 2017 at 5:37 pm

Sending you positive vibes and best of luck on Sunda! You got this!

Natalie Goodwin on April 19, 2017 at 5:53 pm

OMG dear, I know how the pain can alter things all to well. I will be praying for you to get through it pain free and absolutely kill that race! I always think I want to try to run further distances and try to do at least a 10k (like starting point over here), but then I get out there and hate running the entire 3.1 that I usually go! Ugh, I guess I just wasn’t meant to be a runner. Good luck!!

xoxo, Natalie
http://www.rachelgreenandprettythings.com

Kristin on April 19, 2017 at 6:04 pm

Thanks, girl! Appreciate it! & I totally get what you mean!!! 🙂
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Natalie Was Here on April 19, 2017 at 7:01 pm

Ah fingers crossed for smooth sailing Sunday. You’ve got this!

Natalie Was Here

Emily on April 19, 2017 at 7:22 pm

Bless your heart, I can only imagine that kind of frustration! I will definitely be praying for you to be pain-free and race-ready. I can only imagine the work you’ve put in for that! Good Luck, Kristin!
Emily
http://darlingdearestblog.com

Kristin on April 20, 2017 at 1:40 pm

You’re the sweetest–thank you so much!
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Jess on April 19, 2017 at 9:18 pm

I’ll definitely be thinking of you! I know you’ve been SO dedicated to your training (your early morning Insta-stories are so motivating!). cant wait to hear how it went!