TOMORROW

I cannot believe the NYC marathon is tomorrow.  I keep vacillating between being really excited and really freaking scared.  Right now I'm leaning towards scared, because my hamstring started hurting again after my last run (which was only 3 miles) and it's sort of been at a dull ache ever since.

I was feeling super excited after the expo, which I stopped by with my co-worker Sophie, who's also running.  It was like a marathon exploded in the Javitz Center.  We got our bibs and goody bags and then were forced to walk through all the booths before exiting.  Sophie and I had discussed our plan before going to the expo.  Don't spend too much time there, and DON'T buy anything because it's overpriced and we don't need it.  Well, as soon as we entered the madness of marathon loot, our plan flew out the window.  My blackberry, which was vibrating nonstop to indicate all the work emails I was ignoring, was shoved firmly in my jacket pocket, and we wandered around for close to an hour through all the marathon paraphernalia and booths representing every single brand of running clothes/accessories/you name it.  I couldn't resist splurging on a cute marathon jacket and headband for when it's cold.  Oh yeah, and some socks that say NYC marathon on them.  What can I say, I'm a sucker. 

Sophie had been as nervous for the marathon as me.  She's been struggling with bronchitis and has skipped a lot of her training runs because she's been so ill.  I was actually relieved to talk to her about her struggles, because it made me realize that I'm not the only one who hasn't stuck perfectly to their plan and is really nervous for the race.  It was fun going to the expo with her, and she gave me the great idea to email my friends and family with my anticipated pace and when I think I'll hit certain mile marks.  That made me even more excited, because so many of my friends wrote back to tell me that they'll be out there watching. 

But now my hamstring is hurting again.  And I'm doubting myself.  And am getting scared that so many people know I'm doing this race and will be looking for me out there.  What if I can't do it?  I really hope I can. 

Some other things that have made me feel better (or have at least made me smile)
Perfect weather forecast for tomorrow.  A teensy bit chilly for my liking, but at least no rain.

This exchange with my friend Chris, who's also running: 
me: Chris I'm scared!
Chris: You'll be fine. Walk in the park!
Me: Wait what?  Really??
Chris: No, it'll BE a walk in the park.  I'm not telling you to walk in Central Park!

This photo, taken by my wonderful Amala Balla:

Running with giants!

And most importantly, the support of my friends and family have really helped.  Like Sheila, who never wastes an opportunity to wish me luck every time we talk.  She even wished me luck in her thank you card for her wedding gift!  And my doorman Jose, who whipped out a map of Brooklyn to show me exactly where he'll be waiting to cheer for me.  And Anne Marie, who is an amazing runner who can run marathons hours faster than I can even hope to finish, who has listened to me whine and complain about how I'm scared for this race for months now.  My wonderful friends sent me flowers at work this week, and every time I look at them, I feel better:

Thank you so much Steph, Natalie, Nora, Anne Marie, Katie and Amal!

Now, with the big day almost exactly 24 hours away (I start running at 10:10am tomorrow), all I can do is think about these things and know that I've done all I can to prepare.  I'm planning a nice little day of grocery shopping, purchasing some disposable warm-ups for the start of the race, and having dinner with my parents and brother.  Hopefully, with a little luck and a prayer, I'll be crossing that finish line at Tavern on the Green tomorrow afternoon!