My First (and hopefully last) Running Nightmare

Well, it was bound to happen. I tossed and turned last night, resulting in a less than perfect night's rest all because I experienced my first running nightmare. Oh sure, I've had nightmares before where running was involved, except I was always being chased (I should note that I always counted that as my daily exercise since my heart rate did increase in those dreams). This time was different ... I was running .... in a race ... and I couldn't move. I was on this track and my legs were just stuck. My upper body was able to move forward, but my feet were planted and would not budge. I had trained and trained, then I couldn't even complete the race. It was just the worst feeling as I was standing there in pure devastation.

I don't need a dream interpreter to tell me what that dreams means. I know it's because I've been thinking (and reading) a lot more about running lately. As the weeks progress, the fact that I'm training for a marathon is becoming more and more of a reality. I'm beginning to recognize the enormity of what I'm doing and just how terrified I am.

I live life with the belief that you choose your attitude. Life, in general, is so much better if you just take what is given to you and make the best of it. Anytime I begin to worry, I immediately think, "Is this something I can control? Is this going to matter in a week or even a year." If the answer is "no" to either question, then I'm usually able to feel much better about the entire situation. Yet, with this, I just have this enormously petrified feeling that I can't seem to shake, and it's all because I know what a big challenge I have ahead of me.

I take solace in knowing there have been many others before me that have done this and I'll do it too. I may need to crawl to the finish line, but I'll get to that finish line. It may take me 6 or more hours, but it will get done. I may even need to jump on someone's back (I can't help it, but that just sounds fun), but I will make it across the finish line.

I just want the nightmares eliminated ... I'm going to need all of the rest I can get, especially if I'm expected to run 26 miles in October (oh boy, I shouldn't have even mentioned the marathon because now the anxiety/fear have returned and just when I was beginning to feel better ....).