True story

Person Who's Just Found Out I'm Running A Marathon In Two Days : Wow! How far is that?
LBTEPA: 42.2km
PWJFOIRAMITD: That's a long way!
LBTEPA: (thinks: you reckon?) yes, it is.
PWJFOIRAMITD: Have you been training?
LBTEPA:(thinks: sure, I'm going to run for more than six hours in two days' time, why would I have done any training?): yes, a fair bit.
PWJFOIRAMITD: how long do you think you'll take?
LBTEPA: A bit more than six hours
PWJFOIRAMITD: (pause) well, it's good you're giving it a go...........
LBTEPA: (thinks: Hmph. You try it, sport!) (disguises bared teeth as pleasant smile)

*sigh* if I had a dollar for every time I've had that conversation, I wouldn't need any sponsors for my Very Slow Marathon! But I do of course (you can donate by clicking here - that's if you aren't wanting to dong me on the head with a wok for asking so many times. I'd understand that). Your generosity has already exceeded my wildest dreams - more than $1600 raised for CanTeen! You're the greatest!

VSM status update with 2 sleeps to go
- the antibiotics for this #$%* #$%* #$%^! bronchitis are working. I can take a deep breath now. Most of the time.
- I have 3 race plans 'cause as you know, I loves me a Plan, depending on how well the antibiotics keep working
1. run 5k then drop back to run 4 minutes walk 1 minute (4:1)
2. start using 4:1 then drop back to 3:2 after 21km
3. use 3:2 the whole way
- I only have one race goal though - get through Gate C of the MCG by 2pm (by way of the whole 42.2km marathon course, of course - just having a sleep-in and going there later wouldn't be the thing at all. I recognise that)
As a friend of mine said to me, you know what they call the last person over the line in a marathon? A marathoner. So there.

One last thought, from another dear friend (*hi Jeanne!*)
"Here's what I just happened to read on the Saturday night before my first marathon (she's done two. What a legend)
I will thank you because I am marvelously made/ Your works are wonderful, and I know it well. —Psalm 139
So I wrote "marvelously made" on back of my hand, and it became my mantra for the day. A reminder of how marvelous and miraculous it is that I am able to do any of this."

It is all marvellous, and I am lucky.
I have to tell you, though, I'm really, really scared. Much more scared now this #$%* #$%* #$%^ bronchitis has laid me so low. I don't want the whole day to be really horrible. I don't want to make myself really ill, and I don't want to let everyone down. *sigh* I think I need another Plan. Here's a good one : start slow, then back right off. Keep running until they tell me to stop. Remember that it is all marvellous, and I am lucky.
Think of me on Sunday, eh? Here's where I'm going!More anon, big dreamers!