Exactly 24 hrs to go.

During the countdown, what happens?

I had oatmeal at 5 am this morning. When I got to the airport, I had plain scrambled eggs. I will have more oatmeal when I get to Savannah before we drive up to SC. Of course there is the pasta carb up tonight. I don't know the science around carbo loading but stuffing with pasta isn't very appealing to me. I will have some, but with no icky sauces on it and will have some plain chicken. I am trying to drink 8 oz of water every hour today to get fully hydrated, which has been a problem for me spending so much time in El Paso.

I will meet with GA team for first time at 4:30 this afternoon. We will get our bibs and final instructions. Funny story: when I did this six years ago in Helena MT, my bib number was 69, no kidding. I was really worried about getting heckled by some smart aleck spectators on the course but luckily didn't have a problem. Since I am over 50, I will be considered in the "masters" class--it has nothing to do with ability, only age, but it sounds good doesn't it?

I just heard that the Kiawah TNT team raised $139 k for blood cancers. Isn't that awesome? Thank you so much for your help.

My coach and I will pack his backpack. He will meet up with me at pre-determined mile-markers. He has planned to ride his bike to the meeting points. He will have my craisins and half banana snacks. Given the weather I will ask him to carry a couple pairs of dry socks and at least one change of shirt. Once I cross the finish line it will be helpful to have dry clothes. We get a medal at the finish line--did I mention that? Everyone gets one which is very cool and part of the experience. The event organizers have put together a deal where participants can donate their medals to a Wounded Warrior group. I have SO MUCH bling that I plan to give my medal so that a wounded soldier can get it as a token of our appreciation. The Marathon organizers have also put together a coat donation program for the needy and coffee donation for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. My cute coach got our donations together yesterday.

This evening Joe and I will plan my clothes. It is typical that the TNT team members write their name on their forehead or shirt or some other visible place. It is fun to have spectators call out to us. Also, there will be some V-E-R-Y D-A-R-K moments in the course of 26.2 miles so the call outs are very motivational. Most TNT folks write on their body or pin tributes to their shirts honoring family/friends who are suffering from or who died of blood cancers. I have a B&W picture of my Dad when he was a young, newly commission Navy lieutenant shortly after the start of WWII. I plan to pin that to my back with a tribute to him.

Tomorrow morning breakfast is tricky for me. I need to have something but nothing too heavy. Am hoping to find oatmeal but a bagel half will do too. You get a sense that the eating thing is important and has to be carefully managed for most of us. It can make or break how you feel and the ability to even finish.

We all go to the start line for 8 am start. The thoroughbreds will be at the the head of the pack and the Clydesdales pulling the beer wagons are relegated the back. I will be part of the latter group. LOL