Not really.  In fact, I don’t have an Uncle Jamie.  That’s a funny line from an 8-year old in the movie Love, Actually.

What I do hate is the taper.  I am absolutely going stir crazy. I know it’s going to help me come race day, but in the mean time, I’m hating it.  When I started running again about 7 months ago, I couldn’t have imagined that I’d ever get to the point where I am addicted to running, but that’s what it feels like.  For seven months I’ve increased my mileage week after week, little bit by little bit.  I’ve run 5-6 times a week in rain, snow, sleet, high winds, and beautiful days alike.  Building, building, building.  Now, I’m supposed to just turn that off?  Very, very difficult.

The good news is that we’re just over a week away from the race, so I only need to bear with it for a little while longer.  I also have the comfort of knowing I’m not alone:

“I agree with the tapering. Frustrated with wanting to run longer…a little bit of insanity.”

“I know I keep talking about the taper, but it’s really playing mind games with me. Is it normal to feel sort of sluggish at this point? Blah. HELP!”

“I’m scared. I’m nervous. I’m excited. I’m an emotional mess. Here I am just 5 days away from my first ever half marathon and I can hardly stand it.”