Ready to Rock and Roll

I'm in Chicago!!!! And in 1 day 15 hours 27 minutes I will be running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon! But before I get into the details on everything I have done to prep for Sunday I would like to thank everybody who has donated to me thus far! So a special thank you to:

Canvas and Cocktails - Streets at SouthGlen

Mommy

Emil

Aunt Rosie

Kimiko

Amanda

Dale

Grandma

The Mazloff’s

The Gunter’s

Sabrina

Cassidy

Jamie

Alex

And to all of you out there who haven’t donated yet, there is still time! Just go to my donation page (here) and make a donation! Every little bit helps!

I have put in 23 weeks of hard work, battled a knee injury, and learned a lot about what does and does not work for my body. And now I get to put all of my new knowledge to the test. I have so many questions running through my head: Did I train enough? Will my knee behave? Did I pack everything I need? And most of all... Can I really do this?

Thankfully I will have three things on my side come race day:

1. The race day support and knowledge of my best friend! She has been through this experience before and I am counting on her to keep my nerves in check as we make our way to the start line.
2. Training at altitude. Oh the perks of training in Colorado!
3. Adrenaline. I am mostly counting on this to keep me going.

So in these last few days leading up to the big day I am going to do everything in my power to try to relax and distract my mind. I have already packed my bag so that stress is gone. Even with my bag already packed I know I will wake up multiple times Thursday night and double (triple... quadruple...) check everything necessary is in there.

Everything I have to stuff in my suitcase:

All the clothes / gear laid out before going into the suitcase - surprisingly it all fit!

Actual Race Stuff

• 1 foam roller (still debating about taking it)
• Garmin Forerunner 410 + charger
• iPod & headphones + charger
• Road ID
• Brooks Ghost 4’s
• Amphipod fuel belt + water bottle
• 10 Clif Shots (never know what flavor I’ll be in the mood for come race day)
• Salt packets
• Visor
• Sunglasses
• Keniso tape
• Outfits for every weather scenario (seems that Chicago’s weather is more fickle than Colorado’s this weekend)
• Shorts
• Team in Training t-shirt
• Knee length tights
• Long sleeved lightweight shirt
• Long sleeved heavy shirt
• Lightweight rain coat
• 2 pairs of socks
• 2 sports bras
• Gloves
• Headband
• Clothes to wear to start line and then “throw away”
• Nuun for pre race day hydration
• Breakfast - oatmeal & peanut butter
• Gluten free snacks
• Ziploc’s to make into ice packs
• Trash bag - for The Mister to take to the ice machine to draw Kimi and I an ice bath instead of walking down the hall 100 times with the little ice bucket
• Post run first aid kit - band aids, pain meds, icy hot
• Bathing suit
• Towel

Normal Travel Items

• Outfit for Saturday
• Travel outfit for Monday
• Outfit for TNT Inspiration Dinner
• Pajamas
• Toiletries
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Jacket
• Water bottle

I will most likely forget something and be running around Chicago like a chicken with it’s head cut off on Saturday trying to find a store that still has whatever it is in stock, but that is ok. It’s all part of the experience!

All that being said I am still freaking out.I am just sitting here in my hotel room waiting for Kimi and The Mister to arrive. Hopefully watching The Spirit of the Marathon, which I am hoping will ease my mind and hopefully not create any more stress! 

View from the hotel room!

If you want to track me on Sunday you can here. My bib # is 18550. Race starts at 6:30 MDT.