Finally, I’m at the Start Line. Phew. No more thinking about getting enough sleep, traveling to the race, timing my last banana and all of those little details that get me ready for race start. I know everyone around me has similar butterflies (the good kind), and we’re all in this pre race vibe together. For many of us, the longer the event, the more it becomes about focusing on our individual goals, rather than feeling competitive with the other runners. I work on letting go of my nerves and smile and say hello to the runners standing next to me. There’s a first timer (please don’t start too fast), and a woman who hasn’t run this distance in eleven years; after having 3 children she’s excited and looks really nervous.