Off to the Races!

In a few hours I am headed to Baltimore Maryland with my darling and fast husband, to run the Baltimore Marathon together. I mean really together. Even though he can run a marathon 3 hours faster than me, this time we are going to do it side by side. I told him the funnest people at the marathon are the people at the back with all the grandma's and grandpas and so I think out of curiousity he is running with me.
It is hard for me to say that I am a runner. I don't look like a runner - I mean really I don't. Most people are shocked when they say "what did you do today?" and I say oh I ran 9 miles this morning - they kind of give me the look from head to toe thinking, impressive or she is lying, one of the two.
I am so nervous because I have not even been nervous! I have been so disctracted with Pink Christmas these past two weeks that I have not thought about the marathon other than during my running. This has been one of the many blessings of Pink Christmas in my life (and I can't wait to share you the story of another)

Here is my get to do check list so I don't get too overwhelmed today.

• pack up my running shoes that are about 3 weeks dead with no tread. (my feet are going to be so mad at me tomorrow that I tried to save $100 by not buying new shoes for the marathon - never again, )
• pack up my Balega socks size medium (the only size medium I own in anything I wear) the best socks ever recommended by my super fast sister in law (mother of 4) who just ran her 2nd marathon of the year last week in the rain at 3:31. Now I am not one to care about speed, I will never be speedy but this is just down right amazing!
• pack up my pink Nike outfit that I am so excited about. The tank has two awesome pockets connected to the shirt one of which will be holding my new slick, small, water-shock proof camera.
• pack up new slick, small, water-shock proof camera
• leave ipod home. goodbye wonderful Baltimore 2008 training mix you served me well but now I get 6 hours of my husband
• pack up funky pink and black pink stripped thigh high socks to wear on my arms in the morning until it gets warm enough to take them off. (if you have not seen the selection at Target, check it out)
• put the beads on my shoe that will represent what I am running for this time. Last year I had 3 pink beads to represent my daughters, it kept me going when I looked down
• bring pink sharpie to write my words on my feet - that I am also keeping a secret until tomorrow
• pack up pink water belt in case i decide to wear it - probably wont
• gather all my gu and shock blocks
• get a $50 bill in a small plastic bag to give to that guy that played that awesome music at mile 20 last year - love that guy! I hope he is there again.
  
• shave armpits so my arms in the air photos won't look gross
• wash, bleach and superdose sheets with fabric softener so when I come back home on Saturday night I will slip in and say "ahhhhhh"
• bring sunglasses
• check weather.com and see if Baltimore weather will still be a sunny 71 degrees.
• eat food - last year I starved myself for days before
• get whatever bath and body items I want to pour in my bath on Saturday night.
  
• pack pink and white polka dot ribbon to tie in my pony tail again.
• pack up garmin - this year don't forget to take a good photo of it reading 26.2 miles!
• get fingernails painted pink along with a little message on 4 of the fingers
  
• email those few key people that got me into thinking I could do this in the first place a year and half ago.
• bring my chocolate brown soupie to sleep with tonight.
• pack up sport shield in large roller and my new cool individual use single packet (from ZombieRunner)
• bring the great handout I got at Girls camp with the photo of President Thomas S. Monson with the following quote

In life, as in business, there has always been a need for those persons who could be called finishers. Their ranks are few, their opportunities many, their contributions great. One day each of us will cross the finish line. Will it likewise be to the cheers and encouragement of those we have loved and served? Hopefully, it will be to the approbation of our savior, who because of our faith and good works, will say, "Well done, though good and faithful servant."
Thomas S. Monson
Last but not least, this poster was on my door this morning. Little notes from the young women from my church organized by one of our leaders. I stood there and cried. It meant so much to me. I feel a need to show these girls they have the ability to do things that would otherwise seem impossible. This is what running a marathon has given me - That with Faith and prayers (lots of prayers) I can do anything I put my mind to.

after reading my list is there anything you think I forgot?