Week 19/20 (of 20) -- RACE WEEK!

(Oct 6th - 19th, 2008)

And that, my friends, bring us to today... the day BEFORE the big day. Over the last couple of weeks, anytime anyone has so much as mentioned the race, I got butterflies in my stomach. Lots of nagging doubts have creeped into my head lately, "Am I really ready? I mean really?", "I could have done x, y, or z, and I'd be SO much more prepared.", "This is really gonna hurt!", and "WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING?!"

But, I just have to trust that I've done as much as I could do given the circumstances and my newbie status. Anything that happens now will just be a lesson learned for next time (assuming there is a next time, I'm guessing there will be, someday). I'm not expecting too much, except to finish. I've printed off a pace bracelet, so I can keep track of the cut off time. As long as I don't walk the WHOLE time, I should finish within the 6 1/2 hour time limit to rightfully claim my Tiffany Finisher's Necklace from the hunky SF Fireman in a tux! :-) (That part always makes me smile!)

Anyone who knows me knows that (among other things) I'm very determined (some people call me stubborn, but I prefer determined, it sounds nicer), and determination is a very powerful thing. There were lots of people who doubted both my ability to do this and my sanity when they found out I decided to run a marathon (including me!), and on more than one occasion someone suggested maybe I should start with the half, since I'm not much of a runner. But, I was determined to at least try the full marathon, and so here I am having completed the whole season in one piece, and now... I'm determined to finish, no matter how much it hurts!

See you on the other side! :-)