The final 10 days… countdown to ING! (Lauren)

As I approach the final week leading up to the half marathon, I’m trying to do everything right. I’m testing out the various types of Gus and Energy beans and Carbo-loading fruit snacks. I’m drinking lots of water (and making lots of emergency runs to the ladies room). I’m eating well, and turning down invitations for late nights out and dehydration-inducing drinks. I’m stretching daily. And right when I was starting to run again, after a brief run-in with foot pain, I’m tapering off the high mileage. The running schedule is back to 2’s and 3’s, where 12’s and 13’s used to be.

It’s hard to imagine the time is really here. When we started running in November, it felt like it would never end… literally. I truly did not think I would survive. I guess we all surprise ourselves sometimes.

But at our “Countdown Meeting” for Team in Training on Monday, the coaches and mentors applauded everyone for their efforts, and congratulated us for making it here. We picked up our Team in Training race day gear, and reflected on the fact that we have actually made it this far… and our coaches gave us a statistic that absolutely blew me away. The Georgia ING team alone has raised over $140,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society… and that is at a time when budgets all over the country and the world are shrinking. Lindsey and I have raised over $5200 all by ourselves—above and beyond the goal we set for ourselves.

Of all the things I will take from this experience (sore muscles, aching feet, a much-more-powerful heart, another worn out pair of running shoes, a purple Team in Training singlet, and a foot-immobilizing boot, to name a few), I think the most incredible gift has been to see the very best in our friends and family. We have been able to witness first-hand the incredible generosity of the people around us, and it has been truly inspiring.

I do believe we have each made a difference, in our own way… and all together, the contribution we’ve made has been enormous. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

And wish me luck!!!

PS… if anyone wants to come out on race day and cheer, my dad and Lindsey will be making the trip. I’d love to see you!