Tuesday, Oct 28

5 days left.
I get an email update and countdown from the NYC marathon and I waiver between excited and scared to death. I have one bag packed (for carry on) and a list of things to bring. I still need to pick up a 'throwaway' winter jacket and blow up chair to sit in (for the 5 hour wait from 5:00 am bus shuttle drop off til race start at 10:00 am). Everything has to be left at the side of the road when we start.

I picked up my American money today (ouch!!). Wish I had done that earlier. Oh well...
I ran my last long run today and I am ready (I think) for whatever comes. The Leader photographer took some pictures today for an article. I am excited and scared to death about that as well. I don't take a good picture but always remember my mom ducking out of photographs and saying that to everyone. Thus, we don't have too many photographs of her.
So I grin and bear it but can't believe I really look like that when I see the final photos.....
Good news from the neurosurgeon (got to drive to Vancouver for that today).
I will update everyone when I am done this marathon - one thing at a time.

And we are so close to our goal - I hope with the article in the paper that it will put us over the $10,000 mark!! Several donations have come in this past week.
And, please, keep sending all the wonderful notes and emails. Uplifting words, personal stories and crazy poems (thanks Shirley). I really love to read them and have been saving them all.
I am not sure if I will be able to update the blog before I leave on Friday but will keep everyone posted when I am done the marathon or at least when I arrive in NYC.
One final note: I read a book sent to me on Canadian marathons. Some amazing stories including a man who had a lung transplant and ran for charity. They all talked about the importance of spectators cheering them on and different motivations. The fellow with the lung transplant wrote the names on his hand in black markers of all who had died waiting for a transplant. Looking at that motivated him when he tired during his run. When mom and dad married, mom paid the 'crown' to split a 1959 half dollar. My parents both wore them on a necklace; now Dad has both halves. He brought me moms' ring and half dollar to wear for inspiration. It will be a definite motivator.
If you are looking for me when they televise the marathon, I am on the left and wearing the red hat....lol.
But above all, please take a moment to remember us on the 2nd!
Talk to you soon.