So here we are, one week out from the Boston Marathon. My race preparation today included a short recovery run this morning, followed by about 10 different stops at hardware stores, drug stores, grocery stores, bike stores…you name it…to get all of the final accoutrements in place and prepare for the exciting battle to come! My favorite part of the day was the quick stop at Home Depot followed by the dash to the nail salon to get my essential pre-race manicure and pedicure. Priorities, people.

Yesterday during a long training run on Canada Road (favorite training venue), my fellow cyclists and runners seemed to be especially....full of personality. I found it interesting that the comments shouted out from passers by included everything from:

“Good luck at Boston, Cheri!” (very nice!)

“Go get ‘em man” (I’m a girl, thanks)

to then:

“Wow, you sure go fast in that thing, I can barely keep up with you” (from lady in pink lycra on her Schwinn. Now I love pink and I love Schwinns, but…please?)

This was followed by a glimpse of a guy in BLUE lycra who very, very clearly had stuffed his bike shorts for self-enhancement purposes. Indeed the Bay Area keeps the adventures comin’ one after another. Sorry – I do try to keep this site rated G – but I can’t help myself this time.

I head into Boston 6 days early to acclimate, do several sponsor appearances (thanks The Hartford! Thanks Nike! Thanks Visa!), and enjoy the buzz. This will also include a course drive through to stake out the scene and refresh my memory of what I want my tactical game to be. Oh yes, and of course, several days to appreciate being able to get my morning coffee at Dunkin’. My pre-race plan also includes taking an evening stroll to the winner’s circle in Copley Square to see my name carved in stone for winning in 2004 and 2005. We carry our successes with us. Those memories will be readily available to draw upon when things need to get a little bit gutsy on Monday.

The Boston Athletic Association has informed us that coverage will on the following stations, in addition to fans being able to track the race on the Boston website: http://www.bostonmarathon.org/

Boston local: CBS 4
Nation-wide: Versus

Please, on April 21st, at whatever time for you corresponds to 9:25 AM EST, send MAD FAST VIBES my way! We’re going to win.