Pre-race

Less than two hours until gun time. Slept pretty good. Up at 4:45. Breakfast: whole wheat waffle with pb, glass milk with Ovaltine (my standard fare). Other things we runners are concerned about......went well!
My race # is 53...my age! Cool! Found a penny on the ground on the way out of registration! Cool! I am not superstitious! But anything helps!
I asked myself this morning "why am I paying to run and to suffer?" I could stay in bed?!
Too many reasons most people don't understand cause me to run. This marathon appears to be a beautiful, quiet course. Through the Ozarks, valleys, hills, creeks, this is the time I connect with God. That's one of my main reasons. Solace, freedom, discovering the depths of perseverance, and many other things cause me to toe the line in anticipation of the challenge that lays ahead.
Off to the races!!

12 hours!!

Here's the plan:
I am only walking when I hit water stops-and eating times-I'll keep them as brief as possible- Eating at 5 miles, 10 miles, three fig newtons and half a power bar each time. I'll drink the power aide at all stations. At mile 18 I will take an E-gel-"Mountain Rush" This will be my secret weapon!! My sweetheart will be giving me some fluids (nuun) at mile 14.5.
Pacing: I must not start too slow! I will try to keep the first two miles within 9:30's.
Miles 3-13 I am looking for relaxed, easy, even pacing around 9:05's
From 13-20-I will see if I can maintain or even increase the pace a little to 9:00's.
From 20 on in I hope I will have the reserves to bust a 10K like never before. I know it will be very, very close to four hours if my plan works.
I have had a busy day. I'm tired. Been going non-stop all day but nothing physical. All in all I feel very good. I told my Sweetheart today that my legs felt like I was walking on air!
Thank you, each one of you, for your encouragement. It means a lot, I appreciate you all.
Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. If you're racing this week-end, or Monday good luck!!
Peace!