I have been getting my kit ready for the past week now (much to the amusement of Alex) and have ironed my rather impressive homemade tartan letters onto my charity vest . Inevitably there is some sort of last minute panic about what to pack (mostly what to wear for the post run celebrations!) Apart from a couple of wobbles in the week I have remained very calm about the whole thing (quite out of character really!) I had expected to feel terrified and be full of self doubt but I am excited and feel confident. I have been visualising my sprint finish, which at this stage I feel may be a little optimistic!
I am slightly on edge as I have been unable to access and print my final race instructions for the last two days, because the file won't not open. But decide that there is nothing I can do about it as we're on our way to Edinburgh! Alex has his spectator route planned and has researched (using The Good Beer Guide) a suitable place to stand and cheer me on. He will be able to see me at 11.5 miles and then again at mile 24, which is when I envisage I will have well and truly hit the wall, my bottom lip will be going and I'll need some encouragement (maybe in the form of a slap round the face!!)
Today I must eat properly (lots of carbs) and despite the fact that I know I will be running 26.2 miles tomorrow and putting my body under severe physical exertion I still need encouragement and reassurance to do so. Just because I am running a marathon doesn't mean that all of a sudden my eating disorder disappears, it is with me always, but I want to do this and do it well so I have to fight the voices. I settle for a steak and onion baguette at a service station on the M6. It was edible and that's all I'm saying!!!
Once we arrive at the hotel I am anxious to make it to the Marathon Expo in Holyrood Park because I don't want to miss anything. When we eventually find it (there are absolutely no signposts) we wish we hadn't bothered. Maybe we have been spoilt by what we saw at the London Marathon but a few sweaty tents selling overpriced tat was not exactly what I had in mind. Never mind eh? I do have a little panic about how I'm going to get to the start on time etc but Alex reassures me that he'll drop me off and all will be fine.
Back at the hotel, I pack my kit bag. Tracky bottoms: check, spare socks and trainers: check, jumper: check: hairbrush (!) check, chocolate milk: check.......... Shorts, vest, socks, trainers all ready.
I have been making frequent updates on Facebook but it's Alex that has been campaigning tirelessly for me by encouraging people to support my chosen charity beat. It worked because the donations and the messages of support starting flooding in. It was like bloomin' Comic Relief!! It's times like these when you appreciate who your true friends are and the people who really care about you, want you to get better and admire you for taking on such a big challenge.
The plan for tea was to have pasta but naively we thought we could get a table at a restaurant in Edinburgh on a Saturday night without booking. We settle for the pub and I top up my carb stores!
Time for bed, big day tomorrow..........zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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