OK.

This is, officially, my last post before my FTE. I haven't really sorted out how I feel right now. Part of me is totally non-chalant but I have this sort of tingly numb feeling in my whole body when I think about the race this weekend. Its happening right now, and I'm having a hard time typing.

My hopes:

I hope I don't forget anything.
I hope it doesn't rain.
I hope I don't crash.
If I crash, I hope I get back on (I will.)
I hope I don't flat.
If I flat, I hope I can get the tire changed quickly (yes, I've practiced this, but I haven't had to do it on the road yet)
I hope I get my nutrition all sorted out and right.
I hope I don't puke during the run.
I kind of hope I do puke at the finish. Then I'll know I gave it everything. Sick? Uh, yeah. Sick.

I don't fear any of the above. Whatever will be, will be. I can only carry my hopes with me and move forward, knowing I have put in the training, I have the will, I have the drive, I will roll with whatever Lady Tri throws at me. I know she's not my enemy - she's just a pretty tough instructor sometimes. And sometimes, sometimes she leaves me feeling like I've been hugged by the light. We'll see what she has for me on Sunday. Probably both.

I gotta say this. You guys have meant so much to me these months of training and whining and laughing and crying and commiserating. Though I haven't had the pleasure of meeting any of you (yet!) I count you all as my friends and I feel so very very fortunate to do so. Thank you, thank you, thank you and thank you again. This is just a little race coming up but this whole experience has done so much to shape me, encourage me, thrill me and sometimes spill me. And you all have made it so amazing. I'm getting a little verklept here, which seems sort of, I don't know, trite, but it really has been a journey to mark time by.

I'll see you on the flip side!