During my final run, two different people honked and waved at me, only to realize I wasn't who they thought I was. I used to wonder why this happened so much, and then I realized that as a short brown person with pulsating man calves that can pass for either male or female- it's easy to see why I look like pretty much everyone else. So I always wave back, because I don't want people thinking their Aunt Sheri or Uncle Glenn Miyashiro (inside joke for locals!) snubbed them. ;-)
I've been asked a few times if I'm excited about Saturday, and if I think I'm ready for the race. The answer to the first question is easy- yes. Unequivocally yes. I've dreamed of running an ultra for years, and I've been training 18 weeks for this. Envisioning myself crossing the finish line has gotten me through many, many very tiresome, hot runs. To be able to get to this point, injury-free is something no runner ever takes for granted. It's funny how every distance runner will start to walk around a little more slowly and gingerly the week before a race. I had a minor scare a few days ago when I hoisted Ryan up high to do something and felt a joint in my knee kinda pop. And because Ryan has had a fever the last 3-4 days, I got all worried again (I've decided that if I have a fever of >100.5 I'm still running, but anything above that is clearly God's way of telling me to stay in bed and eat chips. And gummy bears). Obviously.
But to answer the second question, which is do I feel ready/prepared. Noooo. I mean, I got in a few long runs, and I stuck to my very minimalist training program for the most part- but I certainly didn't prepare for the hills/elevation, and how can one ever prepare for heavy rain (Hilo & Volcano are very rainy areas)? (Not to mention the fact that Ms. Tubby gained three pounds on vacation.) So I'm definitely going into the race unprepared, but this was never about kicking a** and taking names. It's more about testing my physical and emotional limits and gaining self confidence. I want to run and feel strong for as long as I can vs. focusing on time.
Someone once told me that a race is not about running 26.2 miles or 31 miles, it's about the hundreds of miles you log in preparation of that race. So no matter how sleep deprived (from nerves the night before) and scared I may be at the starting line, I am determined to have a smile on my face, gratitude in my heart and a bounce in my step from all the miles logged and sacrifices made to get there. It will be good because I will make it good.
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| And don't think I forgot about this... Fellow ostrich bite victims, this run is for you. |
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