The Chengdu Marathon is just 21 days away, and the big question looming over us is whether Lionel and I will actually get to participate. Most marathons typically require participants to register 4-6 months in advance, but the Chengdu Marathon opens registration only a month before the race. Even after we registered, there was no guarantee that we would secure a spot. This marathon holds a prestigious status as the only one in China registered as an Abbott World Marathon, and with a cap of 25,000 participants, competition is fierce, with a much larger pool of applicants. To make it to the starting line, we needed some lottery luck.

            What's particularly frustrating is that most marathons inform participants about their eligibility three months or more before the race, giving them ample time to prepare. However, the Chengdu Marathon only notifies you three weeks prior to the event. So, instead of writing blog posts this past week, I've been sending a flurry of emails, trying to find someone who could understand the purpose of our run and grant us permission or an early confirmation. So far, our inquiries have been caught in bureaucratic red tape, and I haven't been able to connect with someone who can give us a definitive answer. For now, we're left with the Serenity Prayer. Lionel and I continue to train as if we'll be racing, and if we're denied, we'll run our own 26.2 miles (42.19 kilometers) on that day.

Exciting News Alert

           Well, it was a bit of an October scare, but I can finally breathe a deep sigh of relief. I have just snagged a spot in the Chengdu Marathon! It’s only 21 days until race day and I’ve managed to stay with the positive thinking. Yes, I am beginning to feel “soar” in my legs and one of my Achilles HEAL! is just a little week… away from being great.

         Today, Lionel and I wrapped up our final long run (30K = 18.6 miles) before the big kahuna. For the next three weeks I’ll be saving strength, seriously stretching, and doing what I do best, carbo loading.