I think the most difficult battle in training for the half marathon is not the physical part, but the mental turmoil that goes on in my head. I didn't run last week. I didn't feel good a couple of days. I did workout, did smash fitness three days, rode the bike one, but my knees were hurting, so I took the weekend off. Today, I stepped up on the treadmill and already felt defeated - but not because one of my knees hurt. It was because inside my head I had already decided the workout was going to be more than challenging and that I wasn't going to make my minimum 2 miles. I tried to overcome the thoughts. I focused on the TV, then my music, then the TV. I looked at the distance and tried to convince myself that I could do it. Just a little further. At a quarter of a mile I thought, "just 7 more of this." At half a mile, just 6 more. At a mile I wanted to stop. At a mile and a half, I did. I did run at a faster pace than usual, gradually increasing it. So, I tried to tell myself that it was ok. But it wasn't ok. I feel discouraged. So, I sit here with ice on my knee, but like I said before, it's not the physical that is hindering my progress, it's the mental. My saving grace? Anne and Courtney. I'm good at giving up, but knowing Anne is there with me, well, that helps me step onto the treadmill in the first place. Celebrating in Courtney's achievements from the last two weekend's 5K's is encouraging. So, tomorrow, I shall step up to more than the treadmill, but also to the occasion, the challenge ahead. By next Sunday, 3 miles. I will run the race before me, physically and mentally, and I will succeed!