Final Pre-race Blog

Well, nothing left to do but deal withteh mental demons.

Lets break things down by system and status:

Physicial:

1) calf/shin. they feel better. Not totally back to normal, but well enough to run, maybe even decently. Whether I have lost fitness is another story. There is nothign I can do about it at this point.

2) Cold- my wife and son are still coughing, but better. I thought I might be coming down with something on Wednesday, and even startedd taking antibiotics. I haven't gotten full blown sick, but think I may have averted it. What effect this will have on my endurance is unknown.


Mental:

I'm all over teh place. As my calf gets better, I start thinking I may be able to Pr this race, but then I start getting negative thoughts that I haven't run much in the taper, and haveno business even trying. The biggest problem will be picking a plan and sticking with it.

Weather:

Obviously out of my control. It will be colder than it has been and probably windier. It will be in our face for the first several miles and the last stretch up michigan avenue. I'm not too worried about the wind, as long as it isn't in my face teh whole time. If I have to deal with it from mile 23-26, i can handle that. If it is at my back for those race defining miles b/w 7-20, It may be a boost.

We had a Taper happy hour yesterday in Downtown. It was really exciting to see everyone. I'm not sure whether I am more excited for my race, or for what will be accomplished by others. Every year seems to bring new stories and new accomplishments. I can't wait to see how it unfold tomorrow.

Good Luck everyone running, here at Chicago, or elsewhere. (Texas!!!)