The Flying Pig is in just one week, and I'm so excited I might burst! Unlike last time, I KNOW I can handle the distance. Heck, I already covered 13 miles once during my training. By the end of it, I felt, well, the way I did at the end of Philly, lol. But I've run about 42 miles since then (not all at once, obviously!), all of them on hilly routes, and I can tell that I'm stronger. If I can maintain the same pace that I did on my last few runs, I will absolutely make a new Personal Record. I just have to be smart this week.

Here are my goals for this week, based on what I learned last November and during my recent long runs.

1.) STRETCH EVERY DAY. This is not an option. I have to stay loose throughout the week. At the Philadelphia HM, I had to stop THREE TIMES during the race to stretch because I was too tight, especially in my calves and ITB. I will not let that happen this week. I will stretch daily, then Sunday I will loosen up properly with moving stretches before the starting gun.

2.) EAT MY USUAL, REDUCED CARB DIET. Last night I did a lot of social eating, since we had a friend over for Wings night. It was like I (unintentionally) carboloaded!! Then I, uh, carboUNloaded during my run. I'd like to never do that again. Therefore, no need to bulk up on carbs. I run my best on a balanced, 100g of crabs or fewer diet.

3.) LEAVE PLENTY OF TIME ON SATURDAY FOR FINALIZING LOGISTICS WITH MILES. We're arriving in Cincy on Friday afternoon, where we'll meet up with my oldest friend for a little sight seeing. That way, Saturday we can drive to my old childhood haunts, but really dedicate time to the expo, seeing the course, figuring out a schedule, etc. We didn't do this at Philly -- we crammed everything into one day, which left me with pretty tired legs come race time, and everything we did post-race was just SO disorganized. I want my sanity this time!!

4.) NO REALLY, STRETCH EVERY DAY. I've been saying this for 9 weeks and it hasn't happened yet.

5.) GET LOTS OF REST AND RELAXATION THIS WEEK. I know I won't be able to fall asleep easily the night before the race, but I can ensure that I don't have any sleep debt beforehand! That way, even if I have pre-race jitters, I'll still have well-rested legs and a calm disposition.

6.) HAVE FUN! This isn't JUST a race. This is a chance to reunite with an old, dear friend, have a mini-road trip, chill out in a fancy hotel room, and rediscover the city I knew as a kid. Obsessing and being paranoid about the Flying Pig won't make me any better prepared, and it wouldn't be a good time. The best thing I can do for myself is to just be satisfied with all the work I've done and ENJOY this weekend.

My only wish is for time to fly! Bring it on, Cincinnati! I am READY!!!