say it out loud.

Last night we had a meeting about racing strategies. The great thing about Team In Training is that they provide us with the speakers who have been there, done that and provide us with very useful information. For example, I learned that I need to take a huge trash bag to wear at the starting line of the race and to pack little ones for my feetsies just in case it rains, or has rained, I can cover my shoes to stay dry. Not only does this trash bag keep you warm and dry, it's disposable! I can throw it to the side of the road when I don't need it anymore and someone will come by and pick up it. I won't have to worry about what to do with my extra clothes I have on, I can just rip open my trash bag and become the Incredible Hulk. I am so thankful for all of the tips I got last night and I am hoping that once race day approaches, I will remember these and pack all necessary items.

Another thing I realized last night is that this race is a lot sooner than I keep thinking. Someone said, "You guys will be doing this in  three weeks." Billie and I looked at each other with complete and utter fright. I haven't heard anyone say it out loud and it completely made my heart stop. Later on in the evening, one of the speakers said, you guys have this weekend and then just two more long runs until the race. Billie and I again looked at each other and she said, "People need to stop saying that." Agreed. I am so excited, yet so nervous that not everything is going to go as planned and it's going to be a disaster. Thankfully I am an optimist the majority of the time and can only imagine this is going to be one of the best days of my life. I am doing this in 25 days. There is no turning back now and after this weekend's 20 mile run, I will be as prepared as I ever will be. So in the next few weeks, I am really going to have to wrap my head around that it's no longer 4 months away and that on October 19 I will be running 26.2 miles. And I not only will be running 26.2 miles, I am running it for all of those people who have been affected by cancer. There will be a cure.