Ahhhhhh!!!!!!! I am so fucking nervous unbelievably excited that in less than 48 hours we will have touched down in Beijing! (And then just 4 days until the race on Saturday, May 17!!) I cannot believe how quickly time has flown by. When you scribble down an event on a calendar – whatever that event might be – it feels like you have all of eternity to plan and prepare. Even if you had all the time in the world to ensure everything was as you wanted it, it doesn’t mean it will be. I, of course, hope to kick ass throughout the 26.2 miles, but I’m nervous because I just won’t know until it happens. I’ve always been a control freak and I get anxious when I can’t control or guarantee things. I just have to let it go (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moSFlvxnbgk)!!!!

Despite my mild panic, I’m also loving the crazy high I’m feeling in knowing that I’m about to step outside my comfort zone and explore a part of the world that is entirely new to me….and finish 26.2 miles along the Great Wall of China. I am really giddy…like a kid before Christmas! The rush I get when doing something new or somewhat scary is incredible. If I’m feeling this exhilarated now…I can’t wait for the buzz that I’ll be feeling as I trek along the winding course. Anddddddd – holy hell – the chills that will be running through my body when I spot the finish line???? GONNA BE AWESOME!!!!

My ankle is still feeling a bit sore, but it’s come a LONG way and I honestly didn’t think it would be feeling as good as it is. I’m going to do my best to tape it like my physical therapist does and hope for the best! Besides my ankle, I’m a bit nervous that time off needed to heal my injury may have impacted my leg strength and stamina that I’d been building up for nearly 4 months. I’ve ran many half marathons without any training (stupid – I know) and been able to finish no problem. So, hopefully that won’t be too big of an issue. The potential for the temperature to rise well into the high 80’s/low 90’s is also making me a bit uneasy. With a volatile spring in Colorado so far, I’ve only had two runs in relatively toasty temps. Regardless of the conditions – weather, course, my ankle, or otherwise – I’m determined to finish no matter what!

In preparation for our early flight on Monday morning, my mom is driving down from South Dakota today. In fact, she just gave me a call and said she’s about 5 minutes away! Though we didn’t plan it this way, it’s extra exciting she was able to come a day before our flight because we’ll get to celebrate Mother’s Day tomorrow. I haven’t been able to actually be with my mom for Mother’s Day since I was in high school, so I’m really looking forward to it. I’m taking my amazing mom to a brunch at a really beautiful and unique restaurant called Beatrice & Woodsley, then later in the afternoon we’ll set off for one final run. Unfortunately, the weather has gone to hell, so we may be running in snow. I’m definitely looking forward to our week in China with tropical temps!

Signing off….see ya on the other side of The Great Wall Marathon 2014!!

“There’s nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be…” – John Lennon