The Final Countdown........

Nomi says....

I think it's 4 days and a couple of hours left for my half marathon...

I haven't been training like crazy...just doing what I'm able to manage. Which is pretty much run if i feel like it, and not run if i don't. The weekend before last, I went running with Lulu's bootcamp buddies. It was a 11km hilly run. I think that some of her buddies are part human-part horse.They dashed off from the beginning of the run itself, in what must have been a pace of 4 or 4.5min/km...was lost from view in a matter of minutes and i only saw them again at the end of the run. But, it was a good run. The weather was cool, i got to see parts of the city i had never seen before....and the cool weather made such a difference to the stamina. I didn't have to drink a lot and didn't feel all that tired, despite having to run up a couple of hills.
Last Sunday, was my 1st ever 18km road run. I set off bright and early...didn't want to get baked in the hot, hot sun...and this was basically what happened:

Cool, drizzly day by the lake...

0kms: Started to drizzle...which was wonderful. The weather was cool and refreshing.
5kms: My right knee started to hurt a little....
10kms: My right knee hurt more and my right lower back started to ache, radiating down the right thigh to       the knee...
14kms: My left knee started to hurt...
16kms: Both my ankles hurt...
18kms: I think even my collarbones hurt at this point..Yay.....i was done. And i saw Lulu, doing her first 15km run...Helooooo Lulu!!!!!

It took me 1 hour and 58mins to run 18km at a pace of about 6 to 6.5min/km, with a few stops to take photos and buy drinks..I have no idea about my average pace, calories burnt or any other data..cause i still don't really know how to use my GPS watch.
But, at least i know that i have the stamina to complete 21km.Now, the pain is the factor which will determine whether i finish in 2 hours ++ or 3 hours++:) I remember Joy mailing me articles about  injuries and how to prevent them...and writing to me about her post run recovery methods. I remember another friend Peaches telling me to do strengthening exercises at the gym. Well, i sort of did do all that sporadically, but i guess it was not consistent enough.And Lulu doesn't hurt at all....wonder if i can borrow her knees for the upcoming race.....