How far can I go in Minnesota?

I'm getting my mileage in at a walk/run type pace. Last week it was 18 miles and this week I have 9 already (Monday-Sunday). So, when I run I think about the Twin Cities Marathon course.

The first 2-3 miles head west out of downtown Minneapolis and up a hill to a chain of lakes. It takes me that long to get to my running lake, Desert Breeze. Then the next 5 or 6 miles is along the lakes, so I do a few laps around my lake. From 8 to 15 in Minnesota takes you to Minnehaha Falls, a scenic park near the Mississippi River. These days, as I run I try to picture what that run is going to be like.

Now, I'm way behind in training due to my ankle.

So, my mind wanders to how far I can actually run on Oct 4. I doubt I'll be ready for a full marathon by then. But, it's all paid for, so I will run as far as I can. At the Minnihaha Falls (yes, it's really called that) there is a light rail station. I can run 15 miles and then skip the rest, take the rail to my hotel, pick up my baseball tickets and go the last game at the Metro Dome.

Or I can go to the 19 mile marker and I'll only be a couple miles away from downtown. The last 7 miles heads away from Minneapolis to downtown St. Paul. I even thought about sleeping in and taking the rail to the 15 mile mark and start my run from their. Of course, I would not run thru the finish line nor collect any hardware or a finisher's shirt. I'm going to enjoy the experience, but not cheat.

Most likely, I will run the first half of the race and then determine how I feel as I run. Hopefully, the cooler temps and the crowds will help me to run further. Less than 8 weeks to go.