pre-race: the getting ready

While I was super excited and very well rested, race day started out a little glum. I awoke at 6:30am to a gray, damp, cold, mist (truly, the weather was absolutely attrocious). I shrugged it off the best I could. A little chilly rain was not going to stop me so I proceeded with my pre-race plan.

I ate breakfast. A oat and honey bagel with a light smear of peanut butter and a Bolthouse Mocha drink. And 32 ounces of water... because that is how I start every day, running, racing, or not. (I'm only a little OCD about hydration.)

Despite not being very hungry and having massive butterflies, I managed to chow down my bagel... as I bounced around the kitchen pep talking myself.

Pointing to my legs and then to my heart and head, I coached, Its you and me, mind and body, YOU and ME.

I then moved on to the gearing up portion of the morning where I assessed my outfit and made a gametime decision to add an underlayer for extra warmth.

Long sleeve, short sleeve, and shorts. I will be good, I told myself.

I tied my timing chip into my laces, almost feeling like an official runner... reality was setting in. I was getting more and more anxious by the minute.

Next step was to make sure my hair situation was solid. Hair elastics tight enough to hold my mane up in a ponytail/braid and a hairband to keep the fly aways from flying (in case the rain decided to stop and would no longer be there to slick my hair to my head.). Check, check.

Ok - time to go.

Kevin was psyched for me so, naturally, he agreed to drive me to the start and then get parking near the finish (so I would not have to walk too far after running 13.1, thankyouverymuch). So, in the car we went. As soon as we merged onto the highway, the heavens unloaded bucketloads of rain. It was so torrential that Kevin had to slow his driving to nearly 40mph, on a 65mph highway! Oye vey.

This is when the contemplation set in.

Do I really want to do this? Maybe there is a rain date? Am I even ready for this? What if I hurt myself? AM I going to be ABLE to run in this? I am SUCH a pudding when it comes to running in inclimate weather - that's what God invented treadmills for.

Kevin and I discussed the entire way there... and he was nervous for me... as any sane and caring husband would be.

BUT - before I let the doubt get the better of me, I resolved.

I have to do this. I have worked too hard for this and if there is no rain date, then that means... it is possible and I will do it.

So, 5 minutes later, I kissed Kevin goodbye, and bounced out of the car, into the rain, towards the start line... with a minor detour to the woods... to find a tree to squat behind. I was like a nervous puppy, not to mention I had already consumed over 32 ounces of liquid. Relief was necessary.

And then, after a few passing downpours, dancing around the start line with the other 2000 runners, and a minor delay in the start, the gun sounded and we were off.

(Race report to come...)