Since we do Pre-Trip Reports, I thought I would do a pre-race report, right?
Totally.
It was so awesome logging on this morning and seeing all of the well wishes! Thank you all so much for the support. Truly.
Ok, so yesterday was the day to go get all of my registration materials and goodie bag, etc. I went with my mom, it's about half an hour away.
Got there, found my name and number and picked up my race bib and chip. Check. You get a free wicking t-shirt as part of the race registration, so went and got mine, size small, thank you very much. Check. Got my National Kidney Foundation bib as well...added Kelly's and Allison's names. Check.
Feel like crying.
It was not crowded...just a handful of runners checking in. And I was very happy to see that MANY of them were larger than me. Sure, there were some total twigs there...flat as a board and just emaciated types. But most had some extra poundage. This was comforting.
Love it.
Then I look over and there is Katherine Switzer. This is the Original Running Goddess. Truly. She was the FIRST woman EVER to complete the Boston marathon. And then she went on to do all sorts of other things for women in distance running. Can we say goddess? She was signing bibs and posing for pics. So over I went. I told her this was my first time and I was terrified. She spent like 5 minutes with me...giving me tips, telling me I was great, etc. Very empowering. And then she signed my bib. She signed it upside down so that while I am wearing it I can look down and read what she wrote. Cool, huh? She wrote, "Erika--here's to you, #1 on #1!, Love, Katherine Switzer" She gave me a big hug and off we went.
WOW! That is very cool.
My mom, who remember is ultra supportive in every way, was just not on her game yesterday! She was listening to what Katherine was telling me. And so as we are walking out, she says "Now remember what Katerine said, make sure you get a good night's sleep tonight. You want to be well rested...I mean, if you are tired, you may not be able to pay attention and you could put your foot down wrong and twist your ankle or something." Um, WHAT?!?!? Ok, I have been stressing about a thousand different things, and this one had not entered my mind. Thanks a lot, Mom! One more thing to worry about.
omg. That is funny in a, I so hope that doesn't happen, kinda way.
We stopped at some of the vendors, but really, it was all pretty lame. Which is too bad b/c I was in the mood for some massive retail therapy. Got a bunch of the freebies, though. Lots of LUNA bars, powerade, etc. That sort of stuff.
Love freebies.
Finally, we are walking out to the car and there are 3 women in front of me...all with their race bags, so I know they are participants. And ALL of them had a bigger a$$ than me. I was thrilled! I pointed this out to my mom, who (again, not being on her game) says, "Oh! They are definitely bigger than you! But they are probably walkers." MOM!!!
Sounds like your mom is nervous for you too.
Thankfully, Liz called me last night for a last minute pep talk. That helped erase the damage.
Good job Liz.
This morning I logged on and got a note from Joanne (groovygirls) who is a WISHer running this race with me. She gave me her cell so that we can find each other. She is a back of the packer like me, so that is good. Today's PM said that she will be wearing her WISH shirt (I am wearing mine as well) so that we kind find each other easily. It will be awesome to be standing next to someone in a matching shirt. It will really help remind me that I am part of a team, kwim?
Pictures, right?
Ok, it is after 7 and I have to leave soon and I am not even dressed! Thanks everyone!
I will not get home till around 1:30 or 2 so it will be a while before I can post my report. But I will call or text Liz or Lyz...so hopefully one of them can jump on and post a quick update!
XOXOXOX
(yea, working tomorrow too...)
It was a good night.
Go Erika!!!!
Congratulations to you as well. I realized this summer that what I think is setback was nothing. Just a small bump in the road. It's funny how the mind works. Well mine at least. 
How awesome that you got a pep talk from Katherine Switzer!!! I just got a pep talk from myself for my first half!!
