Epic Happy Race Report

To say that I am extremely happy with my finish time at Saturday's Race for Literacy 1/2 marathon is putting it mildly.

Here's the story in all it's glory:

Really, I had no aspirations for doing any great time on the course for the simple fact that Thursday's turkey trot was a huge PR and well, this girl just wanted to have fun on the run.

I woke up to cloudy dreary skies...but dry and it SEEMED relatively warm when I let the dog out first thing that morning. It just felt like 50 degrees and I had no doubt that I would wear shorts....and well just bundle my core like I always do.

I also couldn't help but feel just a little "weird" about the race because it was an inaugural event, it was out in a place I had no idea how to get to, I had no idea what the race route would be like, if there would be water, or how much support there would be on the course. Plus, I have been fighting a headache for 2 days and a bit of depression.

So, as I drove out to the race....and made a wrong turn....I said to myself "Self...this could be a bad day all together."

Luckily, with the help of Wonder Boy's reassurance and navigation, I was able to correct my wrong turn, loose no time on the drive and get to the race with 45 min to spare. 

When I got there, parking was plenty. I saw the venue and proceeded to get out of my truck to get my number and WHOOOAAA.....burrrr....the wind was howling off the water and it was about 5-10 degrees colder than it was at my house. 

Questions to self....Did you bring gloves? No.....Did you bring hat? No......Did you bring extra pants? No.... Will you freeze your nads off at this race? Uh...that would be a big fat YES!!!

Ok, just a tip for you all.....socks make good gloves. I had an extra pair of those.

Thank goodness I also had a windbreaker vest in my running bag.

So I sat in my truck for 40 min with the heat on as I waited for the start....watching all these people with gloves and hats and pants on. Damn. I figured I could hack the cold and wind for 2 hours right? I have been in tough conditions before. It was 45 degrees with a stiff North East wind.

I got out of the car for a warm up run and then hit the start line and my goodness...the field of runners was SO small. I figured...heck at best I could place 3rd in my age group. Hell, there were hardly any women.

The field stretched out fast and the freakiest part of the run was that at several moments on the course, I was completely alone with just traffic cones and I questioned where to go several times.

I started out very comfortable and I knew something fishy was up right away when mile marker 1 popped up and my watch said 5:45.....HA HA HA! In my wickedest wildest dreams....yeah, the course was not measured right for the first mile but it got back on target after mile 2 and I was showing 16:20 and that seemed right.

I was cruising man. I felt strong with the exception of shin pain for the first 3 miles....but it went away and never bothered me again. I figured it was from the Turkey Trot.

I hit all my mile markers just over an 8 mpm pace....I was grinning from ear to ear. I thought, if I can make it for the first half at that pace and still feel good, I may actually break my PR from Fleetweek.

Well, mile 6 came and went and I was still feeling like a champ and the watch said 49 min. Then my mind races and starts doing the math....I was on track for close to a 1 hour 45 min finish. My heart started to pound as I got very excited.

Mile 7 then mile 8 and all is still good in the legs, lungs and heart. Still doing some math in my head......

Now I'm on mile 9 and just a bit off of my goal time.....and I think ......can I pick it up for 4 more miles? Then, there was a head wind. Yuck....focus focus focus....

Then Missy and Beyonce came on the ipod just around mile 10 and I was feelin' the love! I kicked it up just a bit despite the head wind that followed me to the end.

I got to mile 12.2 at 1:38.......boy was I getting anxious....and my stomach started to churn.

As I got closer to the end....a very popular and local runner jumped out on the course and proceeded to pace me all the way to the mat and my official finish time was 1:46:16. Yipee skippy!!! I was happy but ready to barf.

Here I am ready to barf.....

Not only was my time great, I got second place in my age group....but then there were only 3 chicas in my age group!  HA HA! I missed first place by 40 seconds....but I met the girl that beat me and I shook her hand and congratulated her at awards and she said to me "you kept me going-" Aww...snap!

So, I reflect on so many things today....particulary my readiness to actually train for a Boston Qualifying time for the next 17 weeks. I think I'm ready....I think I'm in a super amazing place in my running. 

Just this time last year, I was struggling for 10 min miles.

For a girl who never believed in herself....I never believed I was pretty, or smart, or a good friend/girlfriend......I never believed I was strong or confident. I never believed I was an athelete or talented in anyway. I never believed I could......

But that is starting to change.....like maybe I believe I can do this. Maybe I am strong....maybe I am a real runner now.

Stay warm and dry on your runs my blogger pals.......

It's My Birthday......

Ok, what a treat...yesterday was my birthday AND Thanksgiving......so it was certainly a day of being grateful. I am very grateful for so many things in my life and yesterday was an awesome day to reflect on how good my life is and I was able to rest my head on my pillow last night feeling very satisfied that I am one lucky chica for having all the things I have in my life.

Anyway, I found this funny clip from Cheers called The Kelly Song....and well I'm not so diva like Kelly was on Cheers...but I love me a good song with my name in it! Anyway..it IS my birthday....and it IS all about "me!" Right?? Whatev......

Yesterday started off with a killer Turkey Trot 10K in which I PR'd big time. It was such a fun run. I met up with a few folks from our local runner meet up group and the weather couldn't have been more perfect and the route is flat and fast too so it was just right for me to get some indication of how strong I am post marathon.....and well lets just stay I surprised myself completely.

                     ME and The local runner group

 

 

I actually started the race off a bit too fast.....I latched on to this group of runners wearing bright orange T-shirts....some team I suppose, but they were movin' and scootin'. After I passed the 2 mile marker and saw 15 flat minutes on my watch I knew I was not in good company so I slowed up a bit.....my lungs were starting to burn a little along with my shins. It was a good warm up though! I knew there was no way on earth I could hold 7:30 mpms for the whole 10K.

The race went on well despite my quick start....mile 4 was 30 min even on my watch and then I found 2 ladies who were running a good comfortable pace and I followed them to mile 6. My watch showed 46 min and some odd seconds......so it was on to the last .2 which I tried desperately to speed up on....and I got a little nauseous from the pace and when I crossed the mat and through the finish line shoot....someone else must have felt the same way as me because there was a nice pile of puke to hurdle over...and I felt the urge to gag....it was scary.

My finish time was 47 min and 40 seconds......that is about 5 min off my best 10K time. It was an average 7:40 mpm. Holy moly. I'll tell ya what...I feel like a different runner since OBX. I have NEVER been a very good runner....but things are really starting to change and I am cautiously optimistic for my Shamrock training. My new mantra is to "make or break" the 3:50 BQ time for my age. We'll see......

Anyway, after the race I piddled around the house and then headed to my mom's for some seriously sinful feasting. To say my stomach was full and I was uncomfortable is putting it mildly. I had the food baby going on big time. I fell asleep on the couch with my mom's miniature pinchers at least half a dozen times....and then around 11 pm I hobbled my fat ass on home.

I had a great birthday.....Running Buddy hooked me up with cake and a cool new PINK gear bag.....my dad sent some cashola and a cool new PINK hat....my mom hooked me up with some itunes gift cards and a cool new PINK Nintendo DS...(the kid in me still loves a good toy to play with)...and Wonder Boy got me a stand for my fish tank. All in all it was just a great day.

And hell no...I ain't going quietly into my 40's....I have a half marathon coming up tomorrow and its an inaugural event....always a favorite of mine to do the "first" of anything!!!

Here is a shot of the goods from yesterday.....blessed is what I am. Hope everyone had a great Turkey Day!

Out of the Funk and onto the Road....

I think I'm coming out of the dark and the post marathon funk is finally dissipating. I must say that after a week and a half past marathon, it was a rough emotional ride. It's bad enough just finishing the marathon and then just "missing" it like a long lost loved one who has gone away. But, all the crap that happened with my Running Buddy getting sick just made the funk that much worse. But, I'm feeling much better and I'm back on the road with a new goal!!

So, my activities post marathon have included:

1. Some easy running

2. Some easy spinning on the trainer

3. Making a vision board for the BQ goal

4. Keeping my head above water at work 

5. Enjoying a bit of down time between training cycles

6. Spending money on running stuff (new pink sunglasses, a winter running jacket....uh oh)

I did take it "easy" last week, as I was trying to recover....but it was tough. This past weekend I did a 10 miler and it felt awesome. It was hard to believe the weekend before I ran a marathon. I would safely say that I'm 90% recovered from OBX and in one week, I will start the training cycle for the Shamrock Marathon in March. It makes me so happy!

Worked sucked an egg roll today....it was just hectic and it started with temps in the 30's with a 20 degree wind chill and I had to drag the damn trash cans out. Then I realized I needed to get some candy for two 4th grade students who won a contest I have every month.....so I had to stop at the grocery store. Then I get to work and all hell broke loose and it was just a long day.

By the time it all ended, I felt like I needed a nap. I had a 6 miler planned after school, but I must admit, I had to really dig into my running heart and soul to get motivated....it's cold right now and I was tired.

But I have this killer new Nike running jacket:

Ok, I'm a huge Nike clothing fan....I can't stand their running shoes but their running gear kicks butt and this snappy new jacket is no exception. I saw it in last month's Runner's World and it looked like a must have. I'm picky about my cold weather wear because I hate to sweat and then freeze. This jacket truly does "wick" the sweat. I had an under armor base layer on with this jacket and although I did have a bit o' sweat going on, I stayed relatively dry in 38 degrees and I did NOT get a chill. This jacket also has REMOVABLE SLEEVES! Oh hurt me.....it turns into a vest too. I couldn't be more in love.

So, tonight I gave it a test drive. I put on my gloves, Brooks tights and new OBX head band that I bought from the expo and I swear when I looked in the bathroom mirror I looked like Mitzi the snow bunny ready for the slopes.

Then I met this fool:

Do you all know his crazy cold ass? Maybe you are too young....so if you are, here is a bit of his resume: 

-Friends call him Snowmiser

-Whatever he touches...turns to snow

-Special abilities include projecting cold rays, lowering the temps of geographic areas and causing it to snow

-Preferred temperature: FREEZING

Whoa momma.....that cold blast from Snowmiser was a slap in the face. It took me at least a mile or two until my legs stopped feeling like popsicles. I hate WINTER....and it's not even here yet. Wonder Boy is trying to cheer me up with visions of a romantic raging fire this weekend.....in the fireplace people!

Anyway, after I finally warmed up and the Nike jacket did it's job, I was pleased with my 8mpm 6 mile run. It felt good to FINALLY be back on the road again!

Happy Wednesday blogger buds.......

Happy Endings and Friendship

"Sometimes me think what is love....and then me think love is what last cookie is for. Me give up last cookie for you....." Cookie Monster

My Running Buddy's sacrifice to finish those last miserable, painful and grueling miles with me when I had already given up the fight, will never ever be forgotten.

I have been and still am in post marathon depression, which I googled by the way and it is a REAL condition. Wow, so in addition to some muscle soreness you get to experience a little emotional emptiness. I looked at my split times a little more closely and well....here is the low down:

8:48 min per mile for the 1/2 marathon (1:55)

8:49 min per mile up to the 20 mile mark (2:56)

BAM! 9:58 min per mile and the dreaded WALL

And well, I was right on target for my Boston Qualifying time of 3:50 until mile 20. Before I even knew my splits I had given up the race for Boston. Even Wonder Boy tried to encourage me not to give up around mile 18, but the pain was more than I felt confident I could endure.

And I whimpered about it to Running Buddy....and she had many words of encouragement. But I couldn't convince my heart.

And then I thought about how lucky I was to have a good friend finish one of the toughest races I have ever done....and I saw this quote: 

"The most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."(Pierre de Coubertin)

And now I put this marathon to rest and move on to the next.....

My Most Handsome Hero

Although Veteran's Day is almost over, I am compelled tonight to send my thoughts and prayers to all the veterans who have and are serving this great country. Whenever I go to races big or small, and they play the National Anthem and say the Pledge of Allegiance, I almost always tear up. Our community here in Hampton Roads is very military....and well, my biggest military hero is my Dad.......

So tonight, I am dedicating a late evening post to my most hansome military hero. Although my parents are divorced and my Dad has lived far away from me for most of my life, he has always been there for me and has always given to me whenever I was in need. I have spent all of my life with my mother, but still in many ways I am like my Dad.

He served in the Navy for several years and fought in the Vietnam war when I was just a small child. My mother missed my father terribly while he was deployed on his ship....there are still several love letters and poems that fill photo albums and scrapbooks. My mother recalls still with sadness in her heart, her fear of my father being at war, her loneliness of having a small child all alone.....the longing for the love of her life.

It's a story I am reminded of on a daily basis as I see the parents of the children I work with separate from their families on deployment. It is the ultimate sacrifice.

Thank you Dad for you gallant and brave service to our country. You are and always will be my most handsome hero.....love from your Irish Girl.....

Race Report

The weekend turned out very nice and the marathon was so much fun. I managed to PR this one with a finish time of 3:58:03. My main goal was to break 4 hours and I did it! All in all...I'm pretty darn happy with the race itself. The conditions couldn't have been more perfect. Here's the story:

Saturday morning, I got awake bright and earlier with knots and nerves in my stomach. Nothing new....but I was also obsessed with my disappointment over not going to the race with Running Buddy, so you can imagine the anxieties and emotions I was having.

Anyway, Wonder Boy and I headed south together and he did his best to cheer me up and help calm my nerves. We had some good laughs in the truck on the way down. The weather was very cooperative so that also eased my mind. I couldn't seem to shake my sadness over not having my partner so I texted her throughout the day.

We made it to the expo and it was PACKED full of runners. I picked up my packet and shwag bag and then it was time for some retail therapy. Poor Wonder Boy...he doesn't do crowds, so when I said to him "Ok! Let's go look around!" his eyes went googly and he said "Sh-sh-shop??" I had to explain to him that it was part of the marathon experience and there was no way I was going to pass it up.

The goodies were awesome....a booty bag, hair scrunchies, power bars, electrolyte samples, a huggy and some cereal...yummy

After expo, we checked out the surf and checked into the hotel and began the relaxation process.

We finally made it out to dinner around 6pm. I of course indulged in a few beers for nerve calming purposes. We had a good meal and it was a nice distraction to my nerves.

Back to the hotel and a feeble attempt to get my mind off of the marathon. We watched stupid movies, I texted Running Buddy, watched more stupid movies and then packed my stuff up for the race.

What an interesting night of sleep. I took one Tylenol PM to shake the restlessness and begged Wonder Boy to leave the TV on....which he graciously did. But because he has trouble sleeping without some sort of "white noise" he turned on the a/c/heat unit fan. I never noticed it until about 20min after I fell asleep and Wonder Boy turned off the TV. I woke right up and screeched "What is THAT??" It was a struggle between who would get sleep...me or Wonder Boy. Thankfully, he had ear plugs. I plugged them in and attempted to resume some sleep.

But, every hour on the hour starting promptly at 2am I woke up...in a sweat, and then cold, sweat, cold, sweat, cold, shiver.....until about 4:30am. It was a rough night of sleep. Seems I didn't need the 3 alarms plus wake up call that I had set for 5am.

I was up and moving and ready to hit the start line around 6am. The sunrise was breath taking.

We got to the start early and I was able to get in a good warm up run. I think all in all it was a perfect beginning.

Then gun went off and the game was on.

I did not have my GPS. So, I had no idea of my pace. This marathon had no pace groups either. I was completely on my own with the exception of a sticker I made for my sleeve that had split times for a 3:50 finish.

I hit every mark with a 2min cushion time up until the 1/2 marathon point. I suppose that was bad in the end for me. I did read somewhere that it's better to pace yourself and not try to put "time in the bank" with a faster pace. I was so comfortable though. My first mile was a 9mpm....then I cranked up to just over 8:30mpm. I'm not sure this was a good idea since NONE of my really long runs were done at this pace. But I thought "hey, you have fresh legs and you ran your 1/2 marathon at 8:24mpm...shouldn't you be able to hold at least an 8:50mpm???" Hmpf.....

Well, as I feared, the 2.5 mile jaunt through Nags Head Woods zapped me. That darn trail is too hilly. I don't mind the packed dirt....but I HATED the curvy and hilly aspect of it. I could feel my heart rate go too high....my thighs started to burn...I started to get hungry but I had so much anxiety in my stomach. I knew Running Buddy was waiting somewhere on the course for me and I was anxious about that. Things started to crumble a little in those woods.

And to add injury to insult...the last half mile is a single track, mulch packed trail that is EXTREMELY hilly and ends with a climb out of the woods. I was huffing and puffing as I exited the woods. I crossed the 13.1 mat at 1:55 but boy was I feeling a little winded.

Running Buddy met me there along with her family, fiance' and Wonder Boy. It was SO good to see them all. They had signs and cheers and I wanted to cry. Running Buddy came up to me and started to run with me....taking my sweaty shirt.....making sure I had what I needed. All I could say was say "I miss you." She reassured me and said that she would meet me again at mile 20. And then she was gone and I was back on my own but feeling a little stronger and happy that I had seen my partner.

I cruised along from about mile 14 until around mile 18 when I noticed my legs were feeling quite tired. I was still hitting my time marks....I think I hit mile 17 at 2:30. But I was starting to get concerned that I wouldn't hit the 2:55 mark necessary to make the 3:50 finish. My legs were really starting to loose their strength. 

By the time I hit mile 18.5 I knew things were not going good with the legs. My thighs were KILLING me and all I wanted to do was pop out from the sound side part of the run (which is also curvy and rolling with some hills.) and see Running Buddy for some encouragement.

As I came around the turn exiting the sound side and onto the highway, I knew the run for 3:50 was over.....I was past mile 19 and the 2:55 mark was slowly creeping up....

Finally, mile 20 and I see my Running Buddy....and she was ready to run. What a RELIEF to see my partner.....my calming presence. By this time, the pain was horrible.

In the marathon, I see the miles past 20 as a big mystery. Every marathon is different on those last 6 miles. You run the 20 miles and you get to the last 6....and the finish line is separated by a double steel door....and you go in through the door and its dark. The soul of the marathon sits there in a big chair with a drink and cigarette and it looks at you and laughs and says "you think you can get through this part of my darkest room and succeed? Good luck!" and then it throws pain at you in every place you never thought possible. I had my ass handed to me on a shiny silver platter. I got humbled and humiliated on those last 6 miles inflicted on me by the marathon because I attempted a pace that was beyond my ability to sustain.

Thank goodness for Running Buddy....my angel....who graciously talked me through those last miles....and reminded me of how strong I am....how inspiring I am...and how proud she was of me. I couldn't speak...only grunts and a few occasional giggles. Then there was silence and then only the sound of my labored breathing.

And occasionally she would try to sing to me...like the Rocky theme...and something about "don't you know that you are my hero...." and all I could do was shush her....because ugh! No songs!! Especially those!

Then the bridge.....it took whatever was left in my legs. I could barely climb. And when I got to the other end....Running Buddy saw a side of me that she has never seen.....a demoralized, tired, and weak runner. And then she said something to the extent of "Running the last 6 miles and finishing this marathon with you means more to me than any time I could have gotten if I had run this race." I would have cried inconsolably on any other occasion.....but I was tired. I was so deeply moved. It was a very emotional moment for me.

I tried to pick up the pace as I saw the 3:50 time hit my watch. I only had less than a mile at that point but I was doing the marathon shuffle. Running Buddy and I made it to the last .2 and we crossed the mat together. It was so much fun. I was in so much pain.

The after race party was nice. I had a few beers and there was some good music. It was such a gorgeous day and now marathon number 6 is in the bag!!!

Running Buddy and her family left to come back to Virginia Beach after we all hung around for awhile. I will selfishly confess that I wished I could have spent the whole rest of the afternoon with my running partner, just the two of us, drinking a few more beers and rattling her ear off about my 26 mile journey. I just felt very attached to my partner at that time and knew that she would be the only one that would really understand the story and listen attentively to every gory detail. Sometimes I think only runners really understand each other.

But we all said our good byes...and Wonder Boy and I went to lunch and I had a very delicious meal and some more beer!! It was all good.

After I got home, I spent some time with my mom. I ended up falling asleep for a little while with her dogs all wrapped up with me, a warm blanket in a big ol' lazy boy chair. And I felt like a little kid again....being at my mom's and sleeping peacefully as she sat with me. 

Today, I am home resting and recovering and there is no school tomorrow so I ended up with a 4 day weekend!! I really want to start running again. I hope to be back on the road again soon. Shamrock training cycle begins in 3 weeks!!

Hope everyone had a great weekend! I will post a few more pics this week...hopefully of Running Buddy and I crossing the finish line!

Letting Go

Well it's official...Running Buddy has the flu and has been fighting a fever all week. My biggest nightmare has come true. I am so sad, I can't even focus on the marathon this Sunday.

I think we were both hoping and praying that things would get better yesterday, but her fever spiked to 101.4 last night and although today she feels better, she is tired and worn out from fighting the war.

So, the decision is for her to not run Outer Banks this weekend. I can't say I know how SHE feels because I have always been able to run my races and meet my goals. I got sick one time...last year, when I ran the Shamrock Marathon with Running Buddy....and I made it through. So, I really don't know what it feels like to throw in the towel....or DNF for that matter.

I have so much respect for my best Running Buddy for making the admirable decision to not run on Sunday and jeopardize her health...because in the long run...it just isn't worth it.

But I am SO sad that it has ended this way for her with all that we have been through. All the miles.....all the hours of talking....coaching and hoping for a better time on Running Buddy's second marathon. She put it perfectly tonight...."I can't seem to put closure on this....." and really...... how do you put closure on 18 weeks of training and then not even make it to the start line?

I have all the respect in the world....for those folks who train for marathons and triathlons...specifically Ironman....and get sick or injured after months and months of hard work. 

I'm selfishly sad because I trained Running Buddy and I want her to finish this thing. But I can't even imagine what she is feeling or going through....not being able to run...knowing I AM running.....and thinking about all the hard work she has done and not being able to run the race.

How is it that these little things seem so big and so unfair?

I ran 4 miles tonight in the dark and in the rain....and it couldn't have been more depressing. I know that in order for me to do my best on Sunday...I have to let it go. I need to accept the fact that my best running bud got sick and can't run and that after she gets well we will pick up where we left off. 

But until then, I have to cry a little, take a deep breath and breathe...and hope that when this weekend is all over, I will have put closure on a journey we started together and I ended for us both.

Oh my....just 3 more days. Wonder Boy and I will travel south for my 6th marathon Saturday morning. Tomorrow, I am taking a half day off from work and I am going to go have lunch with my biggest fan....my mom...who saw me through my first Outer Banks Marathon. I think I will try to squeeze a 3 miler in down at the beach when I leave from school. After lunch with my mom, Wonder Boy and I will go surfing.  It will ultimately calm my nerves and take my mind off my sadness.

I am excited about the marathon on Sunday,  but I feel rather lonely. 

Ok, in honor of Running Buddy's hard work and determination....I promise to run hard, run fast and remember the power of pink.

Damn...this sucks.

Thanks blogger buddies for keeping in touch! I will blog before I leave on Saturday and then post my race report. Please, pretty please, end me some goooood vibes!!!!!

Waiting Game

This week is driving me nuts already. Five days to go and I can't stand waiting. Yes, waiting for the marathon. I feel ready to go...I just wanna go. I want to just run and I can't because I'm on taper. I feel strong and ready and I can't do anything about it.

So, I'm spending obscene amounts of money on running stuff. I just bought a new top, pink running bra and jacket for this weekend. It made me feel good. I also bought this cute little accessory at a local running shop:

And it's PINK! Whoo hoo! Actually, I saw it when I picked up my race packet for the Sandman Triathlon back in September and I have been wanting to have it ever since.

Here is the run down on my workouts since taper started. Just some 5 milers and few 4 milers with Running Buddy.  We had a fun 10 mile local trail run with some folks from the running meet up group on Saturday. I think Running Buddy got a little eye opener.....the run was a little bit of a challenge since the route had some single track trails, lots of sand and a few steep hills with more sand. 

Sunday, we only did an easy 5 miler and then I couldn't stand it....the weather was just too perfect so I took out my Cannondale carbon fiber bike and rode 54 miles. Really, I just cruised it was SUCH a gorgeous day.

Today, since the time has changed, I did an easy 5 miler in the dark with all my blinking and flashing lights. I looked like a Christmas tree. Then I went and spent more money.

Then I got the dreaded text message from my Running Buddy....."I have a 100.1 fever and I'm sick" We are 5 days out from our marathon. I'm so worried.

Off to vote tomorrow so I will be forced into a much needed rest day. Then, I sit and wait....and wait...and wait....until Sunday.

Funny Campaign Add

Anyone out there tired of the campaign adds? Man, its just getting old and in some cases just dirty....like with the mud slinging and all with some of the local candidates.

I just found this very funny SNL spoof on campaign adds. Hope you get a good laugh.

I've been cheating a little on the blogging....I am on taper and ready to pull out my hair. Not much is going on in my running scene other than trying to keep myself sane until the marathon. I'm just ready to do the marathon.

I promise more substantial blog material tomorrow.