Today I am announcing that I am officially ready for the NYC Marathon.

The race is in three weeks.

This morning I did my last long (long, long) run. I banged out another 20-miler.

Two weeks ago I did my first 20-miler. I wanted one more under my belt before race day.

It’s now under my belt.

***

The best part is that I feel great and felt great throughout the run.

I was a little concerned about this one.

I have been busy really 24/7. The demands on my time from so many different areas have been legion. I have always kept myself busy, but the demands right now have been relentless. I headed into the weekend exhausted. I woke up yesterday still exhausted. I didn’t know if I could pull off a 20-miler today.

But I did… and I was even much fast than two weeks ago.

To boot:

On October 2, I ran 20 miles in 3:43:12. That was 11:09 mile pace.

Today I did the 20 in 3:31:23. That was 10:34 mile pace.

Yeah baby! I KILLED IT!

On October 2, I ran only two of the miles in under 10-minute mile pace.

Today, I ran seven of them that fast.

My fastest mile on October 2 was 9:58.

Today it was 9:17.

My slowest mile on October 2 was 13:03

Today it was 12:32.

I had ten miles on October 2 that were over 11:00 mile pace.

Today I had only seven.

***

As I have recovered from Achilles surgery, I never lost the hope and belief that I would run well and far again, but as I struggled and toiled in my recovery and training, many doubts came deep inside my head.

These last few weeks have shattered those doubts.

I’m not fast like I once was.

But I am strong again.

I feel ten years younger.

I feel great.

***

The marathon is in three weeks.

I cannot wait!