Yikes, I really can't believe it is almost April 20th and in less then two days I'll be on a plane to Boston. The idea of running in the Olympic Trials Marathon still seems abstract to me since I never imagined even trying to qualify for it until only a few months before I did. This is in stark contrast to my normally tireless mind that spins every night pondering the possibilities of my future for tomorrow, next week, next year, and the next ten years. I'm continuing to learn that trying to plan out life is almost futile as it never quite ends up like we expect, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse!
I've packed a few essential items - my jersey, shorts, racing flats - but as is my tradition, have yet to completely pack and I know that's what I'll be spending the majority of tomorrow night doing. Unfortunately there are many other things I have to do as well, so I'll likely forget a few essential items with the last minute rush. I was excited to find out, though, that I'll be getting a fat tax refund check, which will likely lead to me purchasing way too many souvenirs, which will then cover any clothing item I may forget to bring.
I'm excited for not only the race and getting to watch the Boston Marathon on Monday, but also for the chance to stalk two of my biggest running idols, Deena Kastor and Joan Benoit Samuelson. I will be able to put my obsessive compulsive journalism skills to use with my new digital camera and my old video camera that I have hardly used since I bought it.
Boston will also be a place of many reunions for me. I'll get to meet up with a former training partner, a former coach, a cousin I haven't seen in years, and one of my best friends from grade school and high school. It's been nice to get random Facebook messages from people I haven't talked to in a while wishing me good luck. Oh the perks of advanced communication technology!
I have no idea how the race itself will go. I've had difficulty training over the last couple months due to this mystery hip/thigh ailment. Thanks to one of the best athletic trainers I've ever worked with, Matt Donahue, it was feeling much better, so I tried to do a workout last
night. That has unfortunately caused my right leg to revolt, so I had Matt do one last round of Graston treatment today. For those of you who have not had the pleasure of Graston, I will explain. It involves taking hard metal tools and scraping them along the soft tissue until scar tissue and restrictions in the muscles, tendons and ligaments are broken up. It often involves biting towels to stop thinking about the pain, and in my case it also involves a bruise the size of Montana.No matter what, I know this weekend will be one of those experiences that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Off to Bean Town!
