I cannot even believe how close we are to this event. In less than 6 days I will be crossing the finish line with my husband, having completed a goal that I set so long ago. I am stronger and fiercer than I have ever been in my entire life, without a shadow of a 
doubt. People keep asking me if I am nervous about this event, and I can totally say with all honesty that I’m not. There were for sure many weeks (even months) that I was beyond nervous about it. I would say that I was borderline petrified with fear at times. In fact, there were moments where I wondered if I should walk away from it all. Especially, when my knee hurt so bad that I wanted to curl up in a ball (if I could’ve bent my knee properly I probably would have) and break down in tears over it. When those days came though, I just followed my coaches, PT’s, and husbands advice. I swam more, biked more, iced, foam rolled, and stretched. Eventually, with all of that and the help of Physio One, the pain when running faded. Now I am ready and excited to do this. Heck no, I am not nervous, I am feeling victorious and excited. This morning though, I wasn’t feeling much of anything, as I slept in for the first time in what seems like 
forever. Woot, for lazy Sunday mornings! However, after a healthy family breakfast, I was stretched and ready to run with my family. My son and daughter, on their wheels while we ran in the over 90 degree weather. I can now run for over a mile without stopping, on the pavement and with no pain in my knee. I’m not Bolt by any means, but I can run without pain and that is all that matters to me. We ran 2.24 miles in 33 minutes which totally rocked in my opinion. On our way back we saw a good friend from this whole training process, you can see the two of us in the picture. You rock Cathy, and I will see you at the finish line on Saturday!
After our kismet meeting with Cathy ,we fueled up and got ready to visit Art on the Green and the CDA Street Fair. Our daughter volunteered with Girl Scouts there yesterday, but we didn’t have time to enjoy it as a family. After some awesome finds, including a totally killer painting done with spray paint, and getting henna tattoos done; we headed home. It’s moments like this, in this great city, that make me so glad I live here. As Jeremy and I walked along the path in the park, we talked about what our family was like, even just 5 years ago. We lived here for years, and we never went down to the fireworks, the tree lighting, Art on the Green, or any of the millions of things that happen here every year. If someone has asked me to meet them at Tubb’s Hill I would have gotten lost (and this was before googlemaps). *G* We had never hiked or done any of the things that we have now done. I honestly feel like we lived as hermits for many years after we moved here. We barely knew anyone and I was scared to socialize or expand my circle. Today it never fails
that when I go to the store or anywhere I see someone I know. Today alone, I saw three people I know and even had one of them cheer me on from her car as I cooled down. We are so involved in this community now and I feel incredibly lucky. Between schools, WW’s, book clubs, PTA’s, Zumba, Girl Scouts, Toastmasters, and Tri club we are involved in so many groups that support each other. Walking down that path today I thought about how much 
support and love we have gotten from everyone. I am looking forward to seeing some of those smiling faces as we cross the finish line next Saturday. It’s been a long long journey but I am fierce and strong. Butterfly up and out!