T minus 12 hours and counting
In exactly 12 hours I will be crossing the start line of my first half-marathon. Let me tell you - I am going through a WIDE range of feelings & emotions right now. I'm excited, I'm scared, I'm doubtful, I'm confident, I'm thrilled, I'm terrified... and on and on.
Our brief team meeting this afternoon turned into an hour and a half as one by one members of our team shared why they were running. The tears just kept flowing and flowing as we heard story after story of how cancer had affected the 100+ members of our team. When Laura asked me to share (early in the sharing) I wasn't sure I'd be able to. I actually was able to talk about Mom, Roger & Maureen without crying - but that lasted only until the next girl spoke. When she was 8, her 6 year old sister died from leukemia - after a 3 year battle with it. When she broke down while talking, the ENTIRE room broke down. It was downhill from there. We did get some smiles and laughs in there too as those who hadn't been directly affected shared how they were dragged into this by friends, family members or coworkers, and as our crazy coach Ramon tried to give us last-minute instructions.
As those who'd done this before began to tell about how the coaches had helped them cross the finish line, I knew that Tom would ensure that the 3 of us from Staten Island WOULD finish. So I feel more confident that I will cross that finish line in one piece - but I am not so sure it'll be without a LOT of pain and possibly tears.
I fixed my jersey tonight (after skipping out on the pasta party after the 1st speaker finished). As I taped each name to the shirt it really hit just how much this run meant not just to me but to SO many people. So many friends and family members contributed to the fundraising aspect. Several friends have emailed, texted, messaged and called with support and encouragement - especially in the past 48 hours as the time gets near. I think that the thought of all that others had done to get me here will be enough to keep me moving forward and reaching for that finish line.
Tonight we went down to the pasta party and ALL of the coaches & mentors were lined up along a "red carpet" and were making SOOOOO much noise as they screamed and cheered for us- the participants. It was unreal. You could hear it on the 20th floor as you got into the elevator (and it was on the 3rd floor). It was touching and funny at the same time. At my table was a little boy whose mom was fighting leukemia. Her friend is running for her - and she came with her little boy to cheer the friend on. Another moving story.
I finally got all of my stuff together for tomorrow. It's so much to remember - snacks, Gatorade, water, bandaids, sunscreen, emergency contact, race number, race chip, etc. What goes in the checked bag - what I actually want to carry on my body as I run... It's a lot harder to prepare for the run than most people realize. It's supposed to be 80 degrees here tomorrow - though when I start it should be around 58 and should be around 70 when I finish. The coaches are very worried about us getting dehydrated or overheated. There was a lot of talk about carrying water and drinking at every water stop. TOO much to think about!!
OK - I have to get myself calmed down and get some sleep. I have to be up at 4:30 in the AM- have breakfast around 5 AM and get on the shuttle bus at 6:15 AM to get to the race start. My wave is supposed to start around 8:40 AM. I should be finished between 11 & 11:45 according to my coaches - though Ramon told me that as long as I finished on the same day it's all good!! :) Good night and look for the race report after I peel myself off the pavement at the finish line tomorrow!!! Thanks again for all of the well-wishes!!!
Our brief team meeting this afternoon turned into an hour and a half as one by one members of our team shared why they were running. The tears just kept flowing and flowing as we heard story after story of how cancer had affected the 100+ members of our team. When Laura asked me to share (early in the sharing) I wasn't sure I'd be able to. I actually was able to talk about Mom, Roger & Maureen without crying - but that lasted only until the next girl spoke. When she was 8, her 6 year old sister died from leukemia - after a 3 year battle with it. When she broke down while talking, the ENTIRE room broke down. It was downhill from there. We did get some smiles and laughs in there too as those who hadn't been directly affected shared how they were dragged into this by friends, family members or coworkers, and as our crazy coach Ramon tried to give us last-minute instructions.
As those who'd done this before began to tell about how the coaches had helped them cross the finish line, I knew that Tom would ensure that the 3 of us from Staten Island WOULD finish. So I feel more confident that I will cross that finish line in one piece - but I am not so sure it'll be without a LOT of pain and possibly tears.
I fixed my jersey tonight (after skipping out on the pasta party after the 1st speaker finished). As I taped each name to the shirt it really hit just how much this run meant not just to me but to SO many people. So many friends and family members contributed to the fundraising aspect. Several friends have emailed, texted, messaged and called with support and encouragement - especially in the past 48 hours as the time gets near. I think that the thought of all that others had done to get me here will be enough to keep me moving forward and reaching for that finish line.
Tonight we went down to the pasta party and ALL of the coaches & mentors were lined up along a "red carpet" and were making SOOOOO much noise as they screamed and cheered for us- the participants. It was unreal. You could hear it on the 20th floor as you got into the elevator (and it was on the 3rd floor). It was touching and funny at the same time. At my table was a little boy whose mom was fighting leukemia. Her friend is running for her - and she came with her little boy to cheer the friend on. Another moving story.
I finally got all of my stuff together for tomorrow. It's so much to remember - snacks, Gatorade, water, bandaids, sunscreen, emergency contact, race number, race chip, etc. What goes in the checked bag - what I actually want to carry on my body as I run... It's a lot harder to prepare for the run than most people realize. It's supposed to be 80 degrees here tomorrow - though when I start it should be around 58 and should be around 70 when I finish. The coaches are very worried about us getting dehydrated or overheated. There was a lot of talk about carrying water and drinking at every water stop. TOO much to think about!!
OK - I have to get myself calmed down and get some sleep. I have to be up at 4:30 in the AM- have breakfast around 5 AM and get on the shuttle bus at 6:15 AM to get to the race start. My wave is supposed to start around 8:40 AM. I should be finished between 11 & 11:45 according to my coaches - though Ramon told me that as long as I finished on the same day it's all good!! :) Good night and look for the race report after I peel myself off the pavement at the finish line tomorrow!!! Thanks again for all of the well-wishes!!!
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