Like this:

The same gentle fog which settled comfortably over San Francisco gradually made its way to my brain. Just a day or so before the SF Marathon I wagered the war of:  just do it or not? It’s akin to the final exam without any preparation. Do not admit to anyone you are not ready but YOU ARE NOT READY.

Did I mention I wasn’t exactly ready? Any other denomination would be ok. But 26.2 miles required an abundance of mental energy.

As I entered the expo to pick up my chip and bib number the question foremost on my list was — may I please switch to the half marathon? The answer was apparent — No, absolutely not — it is already full with runners much smarter than you. There’s no room so do not even try.

I did not purchase the marathon shirt — it seemed like bad karma. Would I even make it?

The biggest draw for the SF marathon is running across the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s so scenic…but so is breakfast in bed for that matter. Take away the bridge and the biggest selling point of this marathon is a series of four letter words. Hill, hill, hill, S#@!, D#@!, etc….

After the expo and two nights before the marathon relaxing in a rooftop restaurant over a drink, there was a series of semi-serious, quiet conversations about what I call “the situation”. Ongoing talk about whether it could be done, should be done or would be done. That trio again.

I agonized more about the mental effort than the actual physical effort ~ because I knew. But it was decided to press on. Just start and the rest will take care of itself. Please.

It was early. At 6:00 am I gently patted myself down.  All was there. Four packets of lemon-lime goo, two packs of goo chomps (ick), ipod music, camera in the back pocket, small amount of orange tablets for mental reinforcement, one twenty dollar bill (just in case) bottle of water to be ditched early, all this seemed to be too much.

I don’t recommend this strategy to anyone. Not even to myself. I had not laced up a pair of running shoes for over 8 weeks. And I call this complete stupidity. I wasn’t even sure what time zone I landed in. But the fun is ~ it can be done. (It’s only great fun when it’s over.)

And I can attest to the fact that the body will actually do what the mind says — but there will be pain involved.

“Running is a big question mark that’s there each and every day. It asks you, ‘Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?’”

- Peter Maher, Irish-Canadian Olympian and Sub-2:12 marathoner

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