100 days and counting...

Today marks 100 days until the Boston Marathon. 

To say that I'm nervous would be an understatement. But to say that I'm excited would be one too. I get butterflies in my stomach each time I imagine myself crossing the finish line on Boylston Street. I often tear up on my training runs as I picture the thoughts and emotions I might have on April 15th. And I've been compulsively checking this map to familiarize myself with the course.

I have run two other marathons, but it's been more than four years since the last one. And honestly, I'd like to be stronger and better prepared for Boston than I was for the other two - mentally, emotionally and physically.

Ryan has a knee injury that has prohibited him from running thus far. After an MRI a few weeks ago and a consult with a doctor this morning, we now know he doesn't need surgery, but he will need to ease into running - as in a mile at a time easing into it. He's been killing it on the elliptical listening to books on his iPhone in the meantime. The other day, I asked him if he was nervous and he responded, "No. I'm confident I'll master this marathon because I'm training with Jason Bourne." 

Really, he has been. Some of the books he's listened to so far are from the Bourne Trilogy. Isn't that brilliant? Nothing like training with Jason Bourne to boost your confidence before your feet even hit the pavement.  

In the next 100 days, I hope to gather some of that confidence for myself. 

I know there are multiple ways to prepare and train for running 26.2 miles; I also understand that it's very individualized. What is best for one person might not be best for another. I've questioned myself on more than one occasion when I found out how much someone is running during any given week, when or what kinds of things they are doing to cross train or if their overall plan is drastically different than mine. And I just need to remember that what I'm doing works for me. 

In the next 100 days, I'd like to eat a little healthier, procrastinate a little less, push myself a little harder and sleep a little (okay, a lot) more. (After all, Jason Bourne says, "Sleep is a weapon.") 

Here's to a stronger and better prepared me in 100 days. The countdown is on.