Training for a Marathon is Hard

Okay so I know this deserves a big fat Duh. Of course it is. But I managed to romanticize my training in the past so much that I forgot that it can really suck. Today I did a 9 mile run. There was a time this would not have been a big deal but it sure felt like one today. I haven't run this far in over a year and a half (pre-injury). It was brutal. I was exhausted and spent a good half mile struggling with basic math to make sure I got the right mileage. My legs were tight and I had a side cramp, but I didn't break stride and tried to keep my mind detached. I guess those are the keys. At some point, your body just takes over and all you can do is keep willing it.
Next week is the 10 miler, we'll see how it goes.