4 days left. 6 little miles to go until race day. I think I've been in a bit of a time warp up until this point; seemingly un aware of how much time was left until I'd actually have to face this race. I was now at a point where I could check the weather and had a bib number. That may not seem like a big deal, but for a runner, having a weather forecast and a bib number meant it was "game on"!! As I logged into the race website to get my number I got chills.......I was in corral #1.
This meant I was in the front of the pack. Of ~4,000 people (assuming it fills up) I would be up front. I thought immediately about last years race, and how amazingly surreal it felt to stand ON the starting line, people behind you, hundreds of people in the stands in front on both sides, a police motorcade forming to lead you off, and some of the nations elite runners on each shoulder.....it doesnt get ANY better that that. 3....2....1 "BOOM"!!! I try to stay as humble as I can about running; with everything in life, and especially being a runner in Asheville, there is always somebody faster, and stronger than you. That's good for motivation, but it is always nice to have a reminder that "hey, you know what, you worked your ass off, and you're faster than a lot of the people doing this today". I guess it just felt like a compliment from the race.....as weird as that may sound. It was real though, and that was kinda scary. I have a weather forecast and a bib number.....the train is on the tracks.
I had some work travel this week, which has also somewhat distracted me from the events of the weekend. It did, however, allow me a chance to finish my book. It was a great book. I didn't think I could find a book as good as "Born to Run" when I had finished that, but this book was great also. It was so full on inspiration and great quotes, many of which I've shared on FB recently, I couldn't help but keep a geat attitude this week. Although I didn't have the greatest run this morning, I had a great mental workout, which at this point is teh most important pre-race prep I think I could have. As I read I got chills, and actually shed a few tears. It fueled my soul and gave me confidence that I could balance my crappy workout today with mental toughness.....I dont think there will be ANYONE that wants their goal more than me come this Sunday....and for that reason alone I will be great. I dont think it's gonna be easy. But as I remember from my book, one of my favorite quotes:
"if it feels comfortable, you're probably doing someting wrong, it should hurt like hell"
I have lots of quotes for Sunday, lets hope I dont need this one, but part of me hopes I do....it means I'm probably doing something right!
6 more miles........4 tomorrow morning, 2 on Thursday....I'll let emotion and energy build for 48 hours after than until race morning. I just hope there's some sand left on the beach after I go roaring past it!
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