Race Weekend Extravaganza!!

The race week crazies are still in full affect.  I've been reading countless blogs about upcoming plans (and loving every minute of it), but I haven't been able to sit still enough to get my own thoughts down.  At this point, ANYTHING that can keep me from mindlessly snacking and stressing is exactly what I need to do, so here I am.

I've received my last newsletter from the DetermiNation team organizers, and I can't say enough about the hospitality of being a charity runner.  I mean, sure I did work hard to raise money for the American Cancer Society, but our own back check...private porto potty...and parking at the finish line?  Hey, it's the closest I'll come to feeling like an elite right...you know I'm doing to live it up!!  I am so humbled by the wonderful generosity of those who donated, and being part of this team has been so sweet!!  It has just been such an amazing opportunity.  In that newsletter, we were giving a little push to keep our last minute rallies for donations alive.  It was an all out war to be in the top 5 yesterday, and I had an absolute blast "competing" with my teammates throughout the day.  Is there a better reason to compete with your friends than seeing who can raise the most money for charity?  I think not!!  I'm thinking this will certainly be an annual event!

I'd like to thank B.o.B from Discom-BOB-ulated Running for your donation.  

I am looking forward to meeting you in a few short days!!  

So here's the plan.....

Friday

The day will be filled with lots of list checking and hugging and kissing my kids.  This is the first whole weekend away from my family!  I can't believe it really, but it's probably a little past due  :)  I'm getting my hair cut in the afternoon, and then heading to Grand Rapids to meet my Abbey Road Runners Teammates at packet pick-up and also get my racing singlet.  I hope to have the chance to meet some of the other DetermiNation teammates before heading to dinner.  We are having dinner at Founders...a local Michigan Brewery.   After that it's off to bed.

Saturday

I finally race...thank heavens!

There are a lot of things I'm planning to differently for this race than Martian.  I'm not going to list them here, but will share if they were good changes or not post-race.  My main goal is to enjoy the experience and fuel and hydrate enough so I don't feel dead afterward.  That in itself will be a huge success!!  When thinking of time goals, I think 2:25 is a realistic goal to shoot for, but 2:20 would really be tits.  I'm not hung up on it, and if I've learned anything from my Martian experience, there are sure to be wonky wooden bridges things along that course that I won't be able to control and might affect my overall time.  

Following my run, the REAL race begins.  I gotta book ass out of Grand Rapids to meet up with Redhead, Spike, and Bob in order to get to Cleveland in time for Beth to get her packet for the Cleveland Half Marathon on Sunday.  Five hours in the car following the longest run of my life...I know, I'm nuts.  I can't wait to enjoy a nice dinner out in a different city, and prepare to spectate my first marathon.  I am really looking forward to  the adventure of it all.  My life kinda resembles the movie Ground Hogs Day....so the excitement of going here and doing this, to then go there and do that is truly making me feel young  :)  I'm confident it will all work out...I have a plan and the will to make shit happen  :)

Sunday

I'm pretty much in the passenger seat for the day...whatever they want to do, I'm down.  I'm just going to soak it all up, hopefully sans a duck waddle.   Go Beth Go!!!



Good luck to ALL who are running this weekend.  May your legs feel light and carry you to meeting and beating any goal you have set for yourself.  Your training is in the books so lets shoot for the moon!!

Peace and Blessings,

Jen B.

P.S.  Pardon my language...I'm in the middle of reading a book where the author constantly swears.  It's temporarily wearing off on me  :)