Chariots of Fire

I can't even begin to explain the crazy roller coaster ride of emotions this week has brought.  The ups and downs of feeling positive, excited, happy, scared, nervous, doubtful all floating through my veins from head to toe.  It doesn't seem to matter how many marathons I've run, it's the same thing each time, a ball of nerves just before the race.  My bag is packed, boarding pass printed, gluten-free foods stocked, weather app loaded....I'm as ready as I'll ever be.  Been singing that song, "cause I'm leaving, on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again..." all day.

Through my mix of doubts, fear, and excitement, my father called me with some words of encouragement and inspiration.  This is what he posted on my FB page (for me and my sister who will be running the half):

Here are the positives for Lora and Kristi: they both have trained for this race and they ARE READY!! It will be at least 50 degrees (couldn't ask for better long distance weather). The course runs from east to west and they will have a tail wind pushing them for the entire race (It won't be coming off Lake Superior which would take a south wind). They have each other, not in the same race but they are sisters. They have that sister sense that will encourage and help each other in spirit. Last of all they have a cheerleader father who will be jumping up and down encouraging them in spirit!!!! You have fun and run the race you have prepared for, both of you!!!!!!!!!! Love you, Dad


I love my dad, he's the best.  He always knows what to say and when to say it.  He's been there before, done it many times, and has such wise words of wisdom to share.  I think my mantra for this race is simply this, "give it all you got, don't save anything for later, just run and lay it all on the line, see what you can do."


I'm not sure I ate enough or the right amount of food/carbs/protein, not sure if I drank enough water, not sure if I packed the right outfit given the cooler temps and rain that I'm not used to running in, not sure if I've remembered to pack everything, but I AM sure that I'll be heading on that plane at 6am and WILL be running 26.2 miles at 7am Sat. morning.  Other than that, I don't know nothin'.  


So, while I soak in this eucalyptus bubble bath, I will be watching Chariots of Fire for inspiration.  Let the games begin!!!