Game on...

After logging over 350 miles these past twelve weeks, my training is complete. On Sunday I will run the Skagit Flats Marathon in Burlington, WA. I AM READY. I have been appropriately massaged, cracked (complements of chiropractor Steve), and stretched. My shoes are laced and my running clothes have been properly selected. The Garmin is charged. I have ordered up some super fantastic weather. Slight cloud cover, temps in the 60's, light breeze at 5mph. It should be a superior day. I have also enlisted the help of my BFF Heather to be my pace setter. (For those of you outside of the "text speak" world, BFF stands for "best friend forever").

To be honest, at this point I just want to get it over with. I have now been in training for 9 months. That is the longest amount of time I have focused on running since 1994. So, whatever the outcome of this race, I can be proud of sticking with a training program for as long as I have. After this race is over, I will sleep in on Saturday mornings. I will go hiking with Scout. And I will run when, where, how far, and however fast I want to just because I feel like it, not because my training plan dictates it. Most of all, I am looking forward to having time on the weekends and after work to ride the tandem with Sargent.

Thanks to all of you who have supported me through this journey. Your words of encouragement mean more than you know. If you recall, I began this blog and this training program in part as a tribute to my late coach, Rob Luecke. His spirit has truly been an inspiration to me over the miles of roads and trails. And so, on Sunday, I will not only have my BFF running along side me, but Coach Luecke as well (standing at intersections w/ a stop watch and yelling out splits, no doubt).

If you have not had a chance to contribute to the Rob Luecke Memorial Scholarship, there is a link on the main page of this blog. Yep, just over there to the right and up a little. Please be sure write "Rob Luecke Memorial Scholarship" in the comments area for the online donation or on the memo line of you check if you like to contribute the old fashioned way. Either way you choose, THANK YOU!

I will post an update after the race. Again, thank you all so much for your support!