UPDATE - MAY 25th, READY AND WAITING!!

Went on a nice 6 mile run yesterday with my running buddy. Oddly enough, when I began training 31 weeks ago...this run killed me. I was screaming at the end, had no energy left in the tank and was a sore-muscled "I can't feel my legs" train wreck for 3 days following the run.

That was NOT the case this time.

We jogged out to about 2 1/2 or 3 miles, laughing and talking along the way...then stepped it up to a really brisk pace, and finally ended on a hardcore "get some" sprint. Finished the 6 miles at about a 10:40/mi pace which is way too fast, but it felt good to end on a good note and feel the positive Qi really flowing at that point.

No injuries to report, other than a sore muscle or "knot" on my left calf that has been nagging for a week or so. I will skip Monday's run, final acupuncture session on Tuesday...then run 3 miles Wednesday and walk 3 miles Thursday. Then shut it down until race day.

My new shoes came in, but they are a little suspect so I will be wearing Brooks' "Glycerin 5 running shoes with custom ortho inserts on race day. I will be wearing UnderArmour Gear only and will be using Tifosi running glasses.

I would like to personally thank everyone in my life for their support during this event in my life. The single most common question I have been asked over the past 31 weeks (other than "are you crazy?") has been "Why are you doing this?". So I will tell you all right here and now, that there are 3 major reasons:

1) I am not geting any younger, and would very much like to say that at 40 years old I was in the best shape of my life.

2) Common theory is that training for and FINISHING a marathon, proves to yourself that the only limits that are established in ones life, are the ones your mind puts on it. You can do ANYTHING.

3) Many people have many different perceptions of me. Some I can accept, some I cannot. What I cannot accept, is that anyone ever thought that I quit, or was a coward. Finishing the training proves I am not a quitter. Crossing the finish line next Sunday proves I am not a coward.

Bill

Mileage Dedications: Pat & Britt (24), Those Folks (25), Bill Hicks Jr. (26), WillyJ (.2)