Marathon Ready?

Most runners begin to question the quality of their training, diet and mental & physical state during the final week of race preparation. I have good reason to wonder what the marathon test will reveal about these things I've tried to prepare for over the last couple of seasons. As I head to Chicago to run in my second ever marathon, I feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. When I ran Akron in 2008, I learned a lot and hope I made the necessary adjustments this time around. Biggest issue was the brutal revolt of my calve muscles, from mile 21 to the finish line. I have focused on smarter intakes of carbs, G2 & especially bananas. I definitely feel much more focused for this year's race, thanks to gaining some experience. My mind is better tuned into the course as I've studied the map and repeatedly watched youtube videos of the course in fast speed. I look forward to corralling onto the streets of the Windy City with 45,000 fellow voluntary martyrs. When I think that greats such as Ryan Hall will be in the same race it humbles me that I can "compete"... well, at least say I ran against a contemporary legend and that's amazing. Knowing that Chicago's race is only one of 6 in the world that form the majors of marathons only fuels my passion. It is a flat and fast course of which flirts with those who dream of qualifying for a Boston marathon. As with all races past, I will be accompanied by my greatest cheerleader who shares in the joy of being first to greet my weary and drenched body as it crosses another finish line. She has paid her dues, hearing daily running reports and offering encouragement when goals aren't quite reached while celebrating the occasional breakthrough. She has had tolerated my lamentations when I wrapped sorely injured legs or packed ice and angry nerves or applied fiery ointment in desperate hope of coaxing my body from shutting down. Steadily she believed in me when doubts stood between me and the streets of Chicago. A finishers medal goes to her if these legs have completed the healing as they need to carry me over the final line. Along with the constant support she has provided, I am deeply moved that I have friends who are making the six and a half hour trip to lend their support in the race. I'm blessed by all the good kind things people have shared to make me feel like, "Ok... maybe I can do this." When I found out my friends were going to come stand among rows of spectators for hours just to let me know that they believe in me, well that's rewarding and inspiring enough to finish well. Along the way my mind will drift back through the days spent on a treadmill when the snow piled high in the neighborhood. I will think of the many times I ran from Wolf to Lutz to Peterson or 430 & Biscayne & Satinwood or the late nights running on a quiet high school track with only moon light as company. And I will think of my kids whom I wish could be among the crowd of runners. When it starts to get tough, I will think of what my military sons are facing as warriors and I will press on. I will look down to my green wrist band for a few more ounces of will and determination as it serves well to remind me of a classmate's sister who ran and ran strong despite a fierce battle with cancer. I will recall the times I felt like quitting in the past but kept moving ahead supported by the hope of joy waiting on the other side of pain. Often I've hear- "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." I have much more confidence in the spirit than the flesh. May that prove to be the case in Chicago!