Less than TWO weeks!

Steamboat Marathon came a lot faster than I had anticipated.  Only 12 days until I'm running 26.2!
At 7:30am on June 6th I will be taking my first steps in my 4th marathon - one of the top 10 most scenic marathons in this country. 
Wow, I can't wait!  A little nervous, but that's to be expected.  Finally found shoes that don't break the bottoms of my feet... have put in the miles and the time... my heart rate has dropped significantly since I started this training session... and my body is feeling strong!  I had a GREAT run today which turned my "freaking out" stage into the "can't freakin wait" stage.  And I found myself day dreaming about running an ultramarathon again... somehow, not sure how, but 26.2 miles doesn't seem all that far anymore.  I think that means I have done a good job of mentally training for Steamboat.  It is gonna be so beautiful - and hopefully the weather will cooperate. 
Also the Beef shirts are supposed to be in my mail box in the next couple of days.  Can't wait to see what they look like!!!!! 

My Race Prediction:

I'll start off slowly in the first few miles to conserve energy and ease into the race, begin shedding tears at mile 5 as I finally realize I'm racing, tell my body to take it easy on the intense downhill grade and rolling hills, hold back at mile 8 when I get my runners high and think I'm an Olympic runner, dance and jump up and down at mile 13 with pure joy and excitement (a signature move), laugh at mile 16 as my brain begins to entertain me with my own personal "stand up comedy" show (I really crack myself up, which cracks me up even more), attempt to do math at mile 18 to figure out how many hours I've been running only to blame the watch when I can't come up with an answer (even though it clearly says 3:00:00), push strong through to the 20-mile "halfway point", start crying again at mile 23 and 24 not wanting the race to ever end, then let my legs run free for the final stretch... next is the addictive part --- the crossing of the finish line.  I'll see the finish line up ahead and hear the crowd and the announcer in the distance.  This will signal a rush to consume my body and make everything go silent.  Only my inner voice and my overwhelming emotions in those last few steps... and then the pure elation and satisfaction as I leap, yes leap, over the finish line knowing I did it! Saving the best for last --- there will be a beer waiting for me across the finish line --- I will take three sips of before feeling my muscles spounge it up and take the already loopy Courtney to a whole new level of silly. 

Bring it on Steamboat!!!