Cue: "The Voice of Unreasonable Optimism"

Here we go - April 21st is officially showing up on the extended weather forecast. Sunny (or mostly cloudy depending on what weather website you are looking at); High 56 (or 53); Low 42 (or 43) - Chance of Precipitation 10 (or 20%). Looking good so far.

Now that Patriots Day is actually showing up on the weather forecast, it is time for me to dictate what I need from you - my blog readers - over the next week. I chatted with Chris George this morning, and told him the predicted weather forecast. His Debbie Downer response? "Keep in mind that at this time in 2004, it said 50 and overcast, and it was 87 on Marathon Day. Be patient." Alright folks, this is something I do NOT want to hear from you over the next week. Chris, I appreciate the fact that you are the voice of reason right now...but I need the unreasonable voice at this time.

The voice of unreasonable optimism. (as Lauren so astutely put it)

So, to my blog readers - this is what I expect to hear from you over the next week:

If I freak out because I haven't reached my goal of $10,000 and you have already donated, just forward my blog site onto someone who you think would be interested in donating money to finding a cure for cancer. When I threaten tossing my new Garmin GPS watch out the window because I am technologically inept, tell me that it involves one quick configuration of my lap times and I should be OK. When I freak out about what shorts I am going to buy, and when I am going to find time to buy them before the marathon, remind me that I always procrastinate and I should be fine with finding something last minute and whatever I find will be so perfect for marathon day that even the Kenyans will come up to me and ask where I purchased them. If I feel like all of my muscles are turning to jelly and I won't have any muscle left on the 21st because of this whole "tapering" concept that makes me so damn nervous, let me know that even the b!tching fast runners are resting right now and there is a reason why every runner is supposed to do this before the big race. If I snap at you when you ask "So where is a good place to stand to cheer you on?", realize that I don't want to be rude but rather every place along 26.2 miles is a good place to stand and if you just tell me where you WILL be standing, I will be able to find you. Conversely, if you say "I will see you out on the course and I will find you", know that I am flipping out because that probably won't be the case and I will need to know your whereabouts before that Monday, and that I appreciate your desire to "surprise" me, but I am afraid there will be one too many not-so-good surprises on marathon day (this is your moment to say "Lindsey, everything is going to be fine. Stop being so nervous."). If I express nerves about my new purple toenail, remind me that all runners get them at some point or another, and under no circumstances will this toenail decide to fall off in the middle of Heartbreak Hill. When I mention that I am an insomniac and wake up every morning by 8AM (including weekends), tell me that this is a good thing because it is preparing me for the ungodly hour that I have to wake up on Marathon Monday. If I breakdown crying for no apparent reason whatsoever, offer to get a manicure with me this week because I've had my best runs within a few days of getting my nails done. If I am still crying, offer to watch any of my Johnny Depp movies with me. If I tell you that I don't think that I will break a four hour marathon time, remind me that I have been training like whoa and will kick that four hour marathon time in the you know what...

And when I spaz out because the weather could end up sucking, remind me that I have run in worse.

In the meantime, pray to the weather gods above that it will be mid 50s, partly cloudy and strong tailwinds.

And donate, if you haven't already.