Saturday, December 6, 2008

7 days 2 hours 3 minutes

One week until the big day...okay..just saying that makes my stomach churn.  Fortunately I was blessed with this thought as I was going to bed last night with my mind racing about marathon day....

I've worked hard...and I've had the best coach around...my body is capable running the race and qualifying for Boston...and I've got 3:35 minutes to prove it....so I can't really mess up...I've got my dad leading the way...I just have to make sure my mind is in order.  

SO...I spent the better part of the early morning hours visualizing myself running the course.  Dad and I went up to Charlotte on Thursday to drive our 26.2 miles.  We were told it was hilly...but we were pleasantly surprised to see that it was quite similar to our training runs.  AND I've gotten to a point with my running where hills don't really scare me like they used to (take that you silly hills).  Last night I was able to picture myself running through each point in the course...which was really nice.  

I also tried to think of why it was so important to me to qualify for Boston and not just finish the race.  I know at some point during the marathon, I'm going to have to dig deep and qualifying is going to have to be REALLY important to me.  All that said...this is what I'm going to run so crazy fast for...

I want to see the look on dad's face when I actually exceed his expectations and we do something so accomplished TOGETHER...I want to capture that instant that we realize we're going to make it and hold it in my head forever...and I want to go back to the shoe store where I bought my shoes and tell the lady who looked at me with complete shock when I told her I have been running for 8 months and am doing a marathon AND trying to qualify for Boston that I DID IT.  I want the feeling of doing something incredible.

So when I start to do a slow fade next Saturday...I'm just going to visualize this sort of reception at the finish line (except replacing the o-so-wonderful Red Sox with my family).  I don't think I'm asking TOO much--a nice little pile of excited family members and oh yeah...some tissue :-)


2 comments:

Natasha said...

I am so excited for you Lupe!!! I can't wait for you to cross the finish line under the 3:35 Boston qualifying time you have been working so hard for. You are going to do it!!!

And...what an awesome accomplishment to do with your dad...you are experiencing a once in a lifetime event. You and your dad are so blessed to be able to do this together. I have been and will continue to pray for both of you. Love you Linds!!

Patrick said...

Good Luck Linds! Go gettm' Saturday...wear them out...including your Dad...LOL! That's really cool you and your Dad are doing this together; I'm excited for you both! Just know the people at the finish line won't be the only ones congratulating you!

Not that you're a log shot for Boston, but remember the Sox were down 3 games to 0 to the Yanks in the AL Championship series several years ago and we all know what happened! You can do it!