My name is Dara Alizabeth Crouch....and I am a scared little girl

It is officially 1 week away from my first half marathon. I know I have prepared myself for this with the training program I went through, but for some reason I still feel very unprepared. I know I can do it though. I did a 12 mile run and even though I was hurting around mile 11 and could hardly walk when I was done because of my knee I was able to finish running....so even if I have to walk the last mile...I will be ok with that! I haven't had any problems since with my knee so hopefully it was a one time thing. I am also hoping that the adrenaline and atmosphere  will get me through those last few miles. I know from this point on its just a mental game. I am no stranger to mental games.....I have been through nursing school....it took me 3 hours to take my boards to get my license. I had to answer all 265 questions....that was a mental challenge. I know that I can physically do it...I have already done 12...at this point 1 more mile is just another mile. I know.....you dont have to tell me....I know I have lost my mind.
Part of the solider Marathon is choosing someone to run in honor of to put on your bib. I did want to choose someone off a list that I dont know or have any connection too. I have a friend I grew up with in Ft. Riley, before we moved back here permanently. Our fathers were both in the Army. He is now serving as a MP in the army stationed in Germany. He was serving with is best friend in 2011 when he was killed in action. His name was SPC Jordan Shuchmann. He also left behind a wife and a now 1 year old son. He died before his son was born. He never got to meet his son. So that is who I am putting on my bib.

This week at work has been rough. All I can say is I am happy to know a god that is merciful, and shows us grace even is the worst of situations. I happy that pray puts me at peace. My doctors dont know it (I think I have told one) but I pray the instant they come in the room for a delivery/epidural. I pray over my patients when my baby is looking bad....I pray a lot. Mostly because once I have done everything I can from the outside thats all I CAN do at that point. So happy I can depend on that is a sticky situation.

I have my 3 month check up with the hematologist this week. Praying everything is pretty much the same....but hopefully a little better.

I am currently, as I type, drinking my last coke for this week. After today its 2 liters of water a day. Only good food....no fast food. I can't have anything holding me down. I got one more run before next week. EEKK!!

Congratulations to my friends Camille and Stobhan who finish their first Half Marathon in Savannah today. They both finish in just under 2:15.....which is fantastic! I know I am going to be at least 45 slower then that....but to be honest I don't really care about the time! I just want to finish alive!!
Hope everyone has a good week! Don't forget, change your clocks tonight an your president on Tuesday!! Hope this doesn't offend anyone...just my stance! But honestly, whoever you vote for, just get out and vote! It's part of our American duty and like my mother says "If you don't vote you can't complain!"