Wow- that's pretty much all i can say

Today I leave for Panama City Beach, FL.  It has been almost exactly one year since I signed up for this race…the work, the workouts, the swimming, the biking, the running..the trying to fit it all in while working nights, days, evenings and weekends….the journey has been tough…ups and downs…though certainly more ups than downs….

and ….It takes a village…it certainly does… a village of family and friends, teammates and colleagues..and my cats…yes..my cats..who are there when the tears of frustration, worry, anxiety and happiness come in the depths of the night…when I can't sleep…when I'm TYRING to sleep….

From the 120/20 weekend on its been a whirlwind.  That weekend was both exhilarating and frustrating for me. Its where I learned…No its where it was CONFIRMED that I have some of the best friends and teammates in the world.  We are not all the same speed…there are speedy ones and slow ones and I'm sometimes…most times…somewhere in between.  This makes training hard some days. And on this day…it was especially hard.  I rode 85 miles by myself..and let my thoughts take over and the negatives came in and I was tired and cold, then tired and hot..and I wondered who would know if I just laid down on the road and fell asleep!

And then…Janet and Keri came to my rescue and rode the last 30 miles with me.  Someone told me that I may be in "a bad place" during this lonely ride, and I certainly was…Ask Patti Jackson….I was " a little grumpy."

This was my fake, "I'm happy" smile at mile 100

Anyway…I'm so absolutely blessed to see this day…to anticipate Saturday, to have trained with my best friends, to have a family that loves and supports me..and I am absolutely humbled by the generosity of my friends and family who have contributed to my efforts to help end Pediatric Cancer.

And a special thanks to my training partners Mairead and Christine, who, without them, this would not have been nearly as fun or as fruitful.

And special thanks to Coach Ryan…who had confidence in me and promised to have kleenex at the finish line!

Lisa Folb…I could not have attempted this without you!!!

And finally…but certainly NOT least, in honor and memory of my dear friend Kari who showed me what it is to fight, to persevere and to live life with dignity and grace.

And for Dominic and all pediatric cancer patients who have a very close place in my heart!  One day, my friends…there will be a cure for pediatric cancer that rivals that of adults…One day..we will have pediatric specific drugs and treatment plans…one day…..until then

Stay #strongforDom

I know there are many whom I have not mentioned…you are all near and dear to my heart..and I fear I have missed some very important people…Know that I love and appreciate each and every one of you. ( I could name every person on Team Z, with a special shout out to Coaches Ed and Alexis!)

Mom and Dad….without your love and support over all my years…all my "adventures" and "misadventures"…I would not be the person I am today….I love you more than you can know.

See you all after the race…Whatever the day may bring, I'm ready….