Emotions riding high.

Most people I've been running with have run a marathon before. They seem to be handling themselves so well. This being my first marathon, for me personally, this is turning into an emotional rollercoaster, and I'm soaking it all up!

Earlier this week, I sent an email to my friends and family around the world that are not running this Sunday. Some of you reading this got that email. In it, I told people it was time for me to be a little selfish, and explained how a little bit of support on the course goes a very long way.

Since that email, I've received an enormous amount of support through emails, and phone calls. Everyone has a life to lead, so they can't ALL make it out onto the streets, but even counting the simplest 'Good Luck' email, it's all been great.

To my Dad in Mexico, my Mom in Sweden, my sister in VA, Lulu, Kathy, Ryan, Sherri, Dan, Amanda, Gordon, Mundi, Marty, Bryan, Joey, Kim, Lonnie, Michelle, Stephen, Mark, Tiffany, Paula, Jason and the many others ones... Thank you.

Thank you all so very much for sending all your good luck wishes my way, and thanks for sending me all your good luck vibes on Sunday.

As I was driving over townlake this morning, my friend Richard called wishing me good luck. Once I hung up, it all hit me hard. The marathon is here. It is now. I can almost touch it.

I parked my car to go run my little run, and as I crossed the Lamar pedestrain footbridge over Townlake again, my eyes got watery. I just kept thinking of how friggin' unbleivable it's been to get support wishes from so many people I hardly ever get to see. From my friend in France I haven't seen since I was 16 to my colleagues at work I've only known for a couple of months, it's been amazing.

- - - -

To my friends running tomorrow, all Rogue coaches, and especially my coach Panther you'll be in my thoughts all the way up the tought parts. Enfield, Exposition, Great Northern, Avenue H, and 38th and a half... We're in it together, and we WILL succeed together.



There are obviously unknowns about tomorrow as I apprach the final mile, run around the capital, then down congress avenue for the final 8 blocks. Will I be on pace to hit my goal?, How will I feel physically? Who knows, and really, that's not important.

But I can tell you one thing's for certain:

As I run around the capital, down the little dip to Congress and onto blocks 12 through 4... As I look at those street numbers slowly decreasing, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, and to the final 4th street sign and the finish line... As I run those final 800 meters and my final 4 minutes... I'll be thinking of each and every email, each and every verbal support, each and every phone call I got, and each and every single person who was out there to cheer me on.

Know that the tears will undoubteldy flow, and for those 8 blocks you will all be in my thoughts. I thank you all for being my friends.