Training = COMPLETE!

I honestly cannot believe I am two days away from running my first ever 26.2 miles!  Yesterday, I officially finished my training program, which also blows my mind - in the last 18 weeks, I have ran 378.40 miles, who am I?  But I do feel a huge sense of accomplishment and am getting really excited for the actual race!  My longest training run of 20 miles seems like it was ages ago, but maybe that's the point?  I guess we will find out...

We're kicking off the weekend's festivities with a big carbo-loading dinner tonight with 15 of my favorite DC people!!

I'm so excited to have everyone around the same table together -  I know this group will definitely help me ease my nerves!  Then Saturday, my parents are coming down to DC as well as a few of my NYC friends, all of whom I cannot say enough how thankful I am of their constant support during all of this!  We'll spend a little time on Saturday at the Expo, which has been up and running since Thursday.  The MCM posted a sneak peak on their Facebook Page last night:

I'm excited to pick up my official bib # and race packet and peruse some of the booths they have set up - but I want to be sure not to spend too much time on my feet during the day Saturday...

I made my race day playlist, which needs a few tweaks and then will be ready to go.  I'll definitely post it after the run.  Just putting the songs together got me pumped up and made me want to go out for a run!  I have a good mix of pop songs, some old teeny boppers that of course I know every word to.  And, I've realized, I also have a song that reminds me of each of my closest friends who can't make it to the race, so I can think of them when their gem comes up on my playlist :)

I just have to say, my parents have been beyond supportive this entire time, but especially in these lase few weeks - picking up last minute fuel, cold gear, and everything in between to bring down to me this weekend.  I am so lucky to have them so close by and that they will be able to come out and watch! 

I've been watching some You Tube videos from last year of runners who made video journals of their experiences training and running the race - some spectators took videos while they were on the metro hopping form mile marker to mile marker to watch their runner - I'm definitely going to ask JS and my parents to do that, so when I'm finished I can see what the experience was like for them too!  The videos I saw are all so moving and have gotten me really motivated about doing this!

Now, I just have to remember to stay hydrated and eat and sleep VERY well.  Last night I was in bed by 9:30 and already feel great today!  The countdown continues...