calm before the storm

I feel calm and prepared. I was feeling nervous a couple days ago. I turned that into focused preparation. Still more to do - like planning meals and calorie consumption until the starting gun.  I received a nice if impersonal email from the Race Organizers:
Finally! Another few days and then it's time. The Netherlands' biggest one day event for which you have trained will start. You are one of the lucky people who have managed to secure a bib number. Hundreds of thousands of spectators will be standing along the course cheering you on. You will be finishing on the Coolsingel with 20,000 others. What a fantastic experience that will be!

We are busy with the preparations for the big day and with this email we would like to bring you up to date with all the developments.
How about a photo of first place?

Coming first across the finish line... Have you always dreamed of coming first across the finish line on the Coolsingel? That is now possible and you can capture the moment too. At the Marathon SportExpo 2010 there is a life size picture wall of the world famous finish and an ecstatic crowd. Two adidas employees will hold the ribbon. So, make sure you take your camera with you to the Marathon SportExpo and immortalise yourself on the Coolsingel!

This offer made me laugh. Pretend to be first. I prefer reality, thanks.  On the other hand, this party could be for  me: 



16.30 hrs  Celebratory welcome for the last runner - Coolsingel




My boss told me last night he ran 8 m's in 6 years - a long time ago. He offered a strategy and corrected my thinking. I said, It's a long race.  He told me not to think like that - explaining I'm about to do something that very few people on the planet ever do in their lifetimes - and to give it my all - to cross the finish line with nothing left. He said, you can run faster than you think you can.  


He's right.