The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow

It better-- today it's dreary, cloudy, rainy, and a questionable 37 degrees. Eeeks! I've checked the hourly weather several times recently, and with less than 24 hours to go, I'm praying that it doesn't change much. It looks to be clear tonight and about 35 degrees by 6 am; climbing to 38 by 8 a.m. and 44 by the time I'm hoping to be finishing the race!

My personal goal is to complete this race in 2 hours and 30 min. I really think it's possible because I'm feeling pretty good about an 11 min. pace. BUT I know things happen--knees hurt, ankles pop, feet burn, stomach cramps, hills come, people won't get out of your way, you have to go to the bathroom and so on... so tomorrow my one true goal is to FINISH. Really. It means so much to have come this far and trained so hard, the time doesn't matter. This will be such an accomplishment in my life and something I really do believe I will continue to do. As the time continues to get closer I'm getting more excited, feeling the excitment a race brings... people stretching, chatting, talking, listening to music, pinning on my bib number, making sure my shoes are double-knotted, clearning out my watch to 0:00:00, making sure my hair is ready to go, breathing in lots of air, shaking my arms and legs loose, feeling the quiet a morning brings-- even with thousands of people around, smiling at hubby before I take off, hearing the race begin, moving my feet, finding my pace, looking at the new sights, listening for new sounds, enjoying the feeling of running and working my body, and then crossing the finish line... I can't wait!!

Hubby will be there with camera in tow, as I plan to document this day well and bring it to you on-line. And I have to admit, one of the things I'm looking forward to most: eating whatever I want and not feeling guilty--it will truly be an awesome day!

I have a little booklet sitting just below my computer screen that I write verses in. Today, I will leave you with this verse:

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)