Good Luck Heather xxoxoxxoxoxoxoxox

Here's to Heather this weekend at the Mercedes Mini - you'll do great!!! You're a winner for having the spirit to even try. All the Days will be rooting for you. I want a picture of you on the blog crossing the finish line - you'll inspire everyone else to keep going.

Pick up your packet on Friday or Saturday and pick up any freebies at the Expo. Go to be early and get up early - you have to get some carbs in (sports drink/fruit) before th erace so you'll have energy. Since you'll have a timing chip to wear around your ankle (don't forget it or your race number Sunday), you might want to start nearer to the back because it's so crowded up front. It doesn't hurt to start in back since your official time doesn't start until you cross the Start line. Don't get caught up going too fast when you start out - there's a tendency to start out too fast when you're in an actual race. Just settle in at a nice comfortable pace you know you can handle. The first 5 miles are pretty flat - you'll do fine on these. But make sure you take water at all the stops - grab a water and walk while you take a couple of drinks and then start right back; if you can the key is not to walk except at the water stops and then only for a couple of sips. Don't be tempted to keep walking or start walking between stops. Water stops will probably be every two/three miles - and you can run for that distance.

Get tough when you turn onto Green Springs Avenue - be mentally prepared to make it up this hill, keep your head up and just be like the "Little Engine That Could" - you know you can, you know you can (you make it to mile 6 and you'll have it licked). It's only five blocks up to 21st Avenue, take it one block at a time - keep running. You know when you make the turn at 21st you're at the top and it's all pretty level again for a couple of more miles. You got a short little hill at 9.5 - but that's no problem since the next 2 miles is straight downhill (you can even roll down if you have to!) The last 1.5 miles is all flat and you can start thinking how nice it will be because in about 15 or 20 minutes you'll be siting down enjoying a drink & some fruit. You might not feel like it, but make sure you get something in you right after the race to help you recover. Smile when you cross the finish line - we're all proud of you! Love, Unc Mike