It is 11:51 pm. I am alone and I am cranky. Not for the reasons you might think. No, I am the slightest bit upset because in exactly six and a half hours, I will drag my weary body into the God-forsaken heat and humidity to run 9.5 miles. The point five is very important. If you’ve ever run nine miles you know that running point five after the first nine deserves honorable mention.
Why would I do this to myself you ask? Well, for starters, I may be a bit on the competitive side – especially with myself and I already decided I would do it. Secondly, I bought three new flavors of Cliff Shot Bloks that I’m dying to try – Cola, Lemon-Lime and Margarita — get this — WITH SALT! Dying to try might be a slight exaggeration. I’m trying to sell this anyway I can and I don’t have a lot to work with, what can I say?
Somehow I committed to babysit the night before my long run and it was too late to back out by the time I realized it would mean less than five hours of sleep, so forgive me for the crankiness.
I decided to train for this race frankly, because I can. If you knew me a year ago, when I was sick as a dog, dangerously anemic, getting blood transfusions and having organs cut out of my body on a biweekly basis, you too would be ecstatic at the prospect of the very same body being able to endure 13.1 miles for the second time in six months! All, after having been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.
While ecstatic might be pushing it at this hour, I’ll try to remember how far I’ve come no matter how difficult it is tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Meg,
As someone who just came inside after a teeny 45 min. run, and as someone who has lived through the lovely absurdity of marathon training, I say this with affection: you’re a freak — for training this long and hard in this heat. It’s unbearable. But I’m so proud of you.
XOXO,
Rach
All I have to say is, I understand.
The act of doing something that a year ago would never have even mentally been possible, let alone physically, has quite a redemptive quality, does it not? Thank you, Dr. Reid! 
Brianna
Meg: We seem to have a lot in common. I run to prove something beyond just the general benefits and because it’s good for ya. Let me know how you like the Shot Bloks, I got 1 flavor Berry something. It’s ok, but need to try some more. Cant stand goo! Amy
Here’s my link. I’m adding you to my blogroll & would be honored if you would do the same!
http://www.beyondJEMS.wordpress.com
Megan, you’re one of my heroes, truly. How are you going this?! I am so proud of you. I can’t wait to watch you run in Napa with a glass of wine in my hand. Who cares it it’s early in the morning? Not us.