Seven more sleeps!

My last and final week before "Marathon Day" Week 18. What a journey! Not even sure what to say tonight since there is so much going on in my head.

(Am I eating enough?, Am I eating too much?, Is it the right food?, Carb? Protein? I am so confused. I know that I should be drinking lots, water that is. Did I really only have to run 16k yesterday and 6k today? Am I tapering right? What about race day ... it's only 7 more days away. When do I have to get up - 4:00?, What will the weather be like? What will I wear? Will my family really come out and cheer me on? Will they see me in the sea of runners? Will my new shoes be broken in enough? How about my knee - will it hold out? It better! But mostly --- I REALLY HOPE I MAKE IT!! I am going to make it, right?"

Breathe...

The race is on Sunday and starts at Square One at 7:30am. I am anticipating to do it between 4:45-5:00hrs. Which would mean finishing after Oprah and Lance but before Katie Holmes. Either way I should be crossing the finish line around 12:15 - 12:30. The finish line is at the port credit park. (opposite side of the road to the lighthouse)

I have included some of the popular spectator spots, just in case any of you are thinking of come out to cheer us on! Mississauga Rd and Burnhamthorpe Rd. - you must approach from the west. (approx 4km mark)... I should be crossing around 755am, Orr Rd. and Southdown Rd. - approach from the west. (approx 22km mark)... 10am, Jack Darling Park, Waterfront Trail (approx 28km mark)... 10:40 Port Credit lighthouse (approx 32km mark & finish line) ...11:00 St. Lawrence Park (approx 37km mark) ... 11:40 Adamson Estate (39km mark)... 11:54am. Lots of road closures so take that in to account when planning out when to leave.

Plans for the rest of the week? Well, the kids and I will be busy working making some signs to support me and my running club! Sad, but runners really do get a kick out of a good sign. (Guess it's because there is nothing else to do when you are out running in the elements for over four hours!) Here are some of the examples: 'Suck it up princess', 'its rude to count the number of people your passing out loud', 'the pain is momentary the joy feeling of crossing the finish line is forever' .... Either way - as long as people are there and cheering, it doesn't really matter what the sign says.

I did try to convince the kids to carry balloons so that I can spot them easier, but I am starting to think that asking Patrick to transport three kids to a marathon on a Sunday morning, in search for parking when half of Mississauga's roads are closed, and locating me running all in black in a sea of 10,000 runners. Then to bring along balloons, noise makers and signs may be pushing my luck. I do keep saying that I am going to run with a balloon but the looks and reactions I receive when I tell people this ... well, lets just say that I am starting to second guess my decision.

So, that's all for now I guess. Now, I just have to push through and get through the week. Drink, eat, rest and enjoy that the hard part is over now. Now... I wait.

7 more sleeps and then I will join 5% of the population who have ever run and completed a marathon!