Just finished my last training run before the half. Which is 48 hours away, by the way. 3 miles in 30 minutes, so that makes me feel pretty good. It felt easy peasy, too.
So I am getting my iPod set up for the race and I got contemplative these past few days because this race is pretty emotional for me. (For a variety of reasons. I am running for the National Kidney Foundation and I raised money for the cause. Because I am in such a different place than I was 7 months ago when I started this, etc.) Anyway, I decided that I would set up my iPod so that every mile (11 minutes-ish) would be dedicated to someone or some part of my life. And the songs during that time would be reflective of that.
Here is what I have so far--
Mile 1- for Kelly. She is the reason I started all of this, so it only makes sense that she starts the race with me.
Mile 2 - for Cammie - no explanation needed, I am sure.
Mile 3 - for Riley - same.
Miles 4 & 5 - for Jeff. For all of the complaining and griping that I do about him, he is an excellent person. Truly one of the best I know. And the good in our lives FAR outweighs the bad. He is a great husband and father. Plus, I have a ton of songs that remind me of him, so he gets 2 miles.
Mile 6 - my parents. Because how else would I have gotten where I am today? They are so supportive of everything I do.
Mile 7 - old friends. I am middle-aged. That is still hard for me to believe. But in that time, I have had tons of friends. Really good ones. And although I may have lost touch with some, or only do the Christmas card thing with others, they are still my friends and I know that we could pick up in a heartbeat and it would be like we were never apart.
Mile 8 - the ocean. Ok, I know this sounds cheesy. But Marine life and research is a big part of who I am. Always has been. From living in Alaska to the Keys to getting ready to do my sabbatical in The Seas (no, this isn't definite)...it is just part of me.
Mile 9 - fitness & running. Before my "fat period" I was always thought of as a jock or a fitness freak or whatever. It was a huge part of my self-identity. And I lost it. And now it is back and I am so happy about that.
Mile 10 - Disney! This is another passion of mine. And again, I have great songs that go with this, so it gets a mile.
Mile 11 - Party time! Ok, the truth is that I am still a Party Girl at heart. Middle-aged or not. I love to have a great time, to tie one on, to dance till I can't move, to scream until I have no voice left. Plus, at this point in the race, I am going to need something like this!
Mile 12 - You guys. The Board Babes. You are specifically at mile 12 b/c even though I had other reasons for starting this journey, there is no way I would have come this far without all of you.
Mile 13 - this one is for me. I will likely take my iPod off here and just experience this last mile. Thinking about where I came from...and where I have yet to go.
So, that is what is bouncing through my head this morning.
Ok, off to take Karen to breakfast (she has been doing MUCH better, but today is tough for her, so this I can do for her).
BIL, who's b-day is the day after mine - same thing. not kidding.
We also get a b-day check - but MIL has this *thing* about having something to "open"
they honestly are awesome (good thing, because they live 2 houses down...
Today's my birthday too. 
