It's the Final Countdown...

we're leaving together oh, oh...yep, that song is on my iPod too! ;-)

Chicago is a mere 5 days away. It makes me a little nervous just typing that. Each day I update my gmail chat status with the countdown as well and I still am not over the fact that it is so close. I feel so unprepared in so many ways, but here's what I'm going to do:

1. Focus on the good runs I've had - for instance the 12 miler I had Saturday morning with the whole CRC (Carthage Running Club). Very little pain, very few stops, under 2 hours - not too shabby.

2. Take it easy - I've done yoga 3 times in the last 7 days and before that I had done it like 0 times in forever - not, literally forever, but it had been a while. My upper body is tight so no more yoga till after the race. Also, no more biking - I did a hard 20 mile ride on Sunday and backed it up with an 18 mile ride yesterday. My only concern will be with running.

3. Run easy - my focus will be on running, but not fast running from here on out. I'm aware what I do at this point is not going to help me improve my time or go the distance. It's more mental - concentrating on slow, chill runs. Looking at doing a 4-6 miler tomorrow morning, a 2-3 miler on Thursday and maybe a 1-2 mile jog on Saturday to ease my nerves.

4. Enjoy the journey - I will be telling myself this over and over - you can bet on that!! I'm going to use this as my chance to really see Chicago - be intimate with those 26.2 miles. I've walked the city before, but this will be different, it will be alongside 45,000 other runners and I want to savor it.

5. Plan back-up entertainment - yes, I intend to enjoy the journey in itself, but it will be a long journey so I may need more. There will be the iPod, the iPhone (sensing a pattern here), and the iList (ok, there's not iList - it's just a list).

• iPod - awesome music (still working on the exact playlist & I will eventually post it - suggestions are welcome though!)
• iPhone - ability to call Brooke & take pics
• List - I've done this before - make a list of people to run each mile for and think of them while you run that mile (idea courtesy of Kristen Armstrong and Runner's World). I'm modifying it this time - it won't just be people - it will be things, events, upcoming travels that I'll write down and they won't be assigned to a mile because some miles I won't need them.

6. Prep my fuel - kind of like 'Pimp my ride' - no, not really, but I do need to decide what I will carry with me, what I want Brady and Kat to hold, and when I need them to meet me.

7. Get good sleeps - we all know the night before is not the time to get pre-race sleep. And, since we will be in a hotel Friday night as well I need my sleep now.

8. Just relax - that will indeed be the hardest part, but I shall try!!

Till next time.

:-)