In the days leading up to a race, there are many things that happen only because runners are the most deliberate creatures of habit you will ever meet.
we eat the same meals, wear the same clothing, and avoid all places and things which may have unfamiliar outcomes. now is never the time to try anything new. so put on that old race shirt that you've worn every sunday since you were five years old before you keep reading.
packed in my race bag is my lucky racing thong undies, my lucky bra, my lucky singlet, my lucky socks, my lucky skirt, my lucky necklace, my lucky headband, my lucky eye shadow... you get the idea. and that's okay! because i'm going to an event where I will be surrounded by 40,000 like minded individuals who have all packed their lucky shit into their lucky bags, hopped into their lucky car (or plane) and will be cheered on by their lucky loved ones. it's all good.
ironically, everyone's pre-race ritualistic behavior will vary greatly with hopes for the exact same outcome: run the perfect race. I don't know how this is, but in all my years, I have PRed on this course nearly every time I've run it, and I'm hoping my postpartum bod will be my fastest version of me yet. Jonathan Livingston Seagull level.
tonight is my last workout. I've got 8 miles of speed training and an hour of cardio kickboxing. Tomorrow after work, Nat, Owen, and myself will drive down to Philadelphia. Saturday is the expo, and pre-race dinner with Linda and the family up in Yardley. And Sunday morning, we go back to the hallowed ground, and the magic repeats itself....
