Ah, no.
No matter how many times someone runs a marathon, 26.2 miles is STILL a long way to run and it's STILL a big deal. There will always be that small voice in your head that questions,
"Will I finish?"
"Will I hit the wall and not be able to push through it?"
"Will my legs cramp up?"
"Will my stomach hate me on race morning?"
"What if my alarm doesn't go off?"
"What if I eat the wrong thing the night before?"
"Will I slip and fall on all the trampled water cups?"
"What's the air speed velocity of an unladened swallow?"
"What if I miss a spot with the Body Glide?"
"What if I miss my flight?"
"What if there isn't a Johnny on the Spot there when I REALLY need it?"
"Will I be able to do this without Skip and The Mighty Kate?"
Well, that last one isn't going through everyone's mind...just mine. I have an amazing group of friends who have been a great support.
They've given words of encouragement, made TEAM BETSY t-shirts, acted as roaming
photographers, cheerleaders, chauffeurs, running buddies, and human crutches. Katie even made me an amazing scrapbook about my first journey to 26.2 and has accompanied me to almost every pre-race packet pickup/expo. I kind of feel like an Oscar winner when I say that there are too many people to thank for helping and encouraging me to be the runner that I am today. For this particular race, I am feeling especially nervous about the absence of two of my Team Betsy fans-Skip and The Mighty Kate . They have been to almost EVERY major race I've run. They've been my support crew for both of my
previous marathons and one of my half marathons. Skip ran the first 8 miles, and the last 3 miles of my first marathon with me. I don't know what I would have done if he hadn't been there for those last few miles...I nearly cried when I saw him jump on the race course. They have graciously risen at the crack of dawn each race morning and chauffeured me to the start, all the while providing endless smiles, cheers, and hugs of encouragement (and Kate HATES to hug).
Logic tells me: I KNOW I can do this.
I have put the training in for Sunday's race...I've covered 18 weeks and approximately 570 miles...so what's another 26.2?
My heart tells me: I wish I could pack Skip and Kate in my suitcase.
I don't know if I can do this without them...
