It’s here.

I’m at my parents’ house, in my sister’s room (Thank you, Gweeb) reflecting on the day, my year, my training, and what comes at dawn tomorrow.

We just got back from dinner a bit ago and it’s kinda late for me, considering that I have to be out of here at 5:45 or so tomorrow, but I want to take the time to reflect on how thankful I am.

The race is about an hour and a half’s drive from my parents’ house, but I’m glad to spend the night here and share this moment with my parents and my brother and sister. And my amazing and supportive and wonderful husband Tony who will have gone to four marathons and five half-marathons now without complaint (he was out of town for one of the half marathons). Living away from my family now, I don’t miss them as much on the day to day. But it’s overwhelming, the feeling of belonging and understanding and comfort I get from being around them again.

I saw my Trackie buds Jamie and Donna at the packet pick up. Jamie gave me a Marathon Mainiac bumper sticker. I can’t believe it’s a club and I can’t believe I’m joining it, but thank you guys for inducting me. 🙂

After packet pickup we drove the course. The verdict is out on whether or not I will regret having done that, but … From the drive, where much of it the car was kicked up into a higher gear, I know this will be the hardest long run I have ever ever run. 1,000 feet gain AND loss in elevation.

My mantra for tomorrow is “you wanted to do this.” Ok, that’s a bad mantra. 🙂 I was telling Tony on the drive that I wanted to do this race because I kept hearing how beautiful it is — and it is — but the weather might be truly miserable tomorrow. So “it’s a beautiful journey” might not make such a good mantra after all.

I come to this race with no expectations. No requirements. Just honor that my body can do this, and respect for the challenge it represents. I want to know this course, and I want to know this part of myself that can run a marathon two weeks after running a marathon.

And that is all.

Wish me luck. 🙂

Location:Ohio St,Bangor,United States