The Countdown........Come in number 36274, your time is up!!

I've mentioned previously that there are certain moments when reality strikes, moments which act as a reminder that the theory of what I am doing is going to become fact. Gaining a place on the Manchester 10k was one, similarly for the Great North. I've just had another, when an A4 envelope plopped on my doormat containing instructions for where and when to show up a week on Sunday, the timing chip to attach to the running shoes and, my race number! 36274, which for a race with 40,000 runners is probably going to just about where I will finish; just ahead of the guy with the deep sea diving suit on, and the fella who is doing it on his hands. Ironically I will also be finishing the race on my hands.............and knees........!.........

As well as the number, we have a colour to indicate which 'wave' we will be on (based on our self-forecasted race times). Do I get a nice, powerful colour like BLACK? nope; how about a colour of passion (that is SO me) like RED? nope. I get sodding PINK. I tell you, I'm half inclined to get a marker pen to it and start colouring in. It will come as no surprise to you that the 'pink wave' (don't laugh) commences last; which means that my aims of having Haile Gebrselassie in my sights by the finish line are dashed; dammit! We start so much later that by the time I stagger across the finish line, Haile will be sat with his feet up, cup of tea in hand watching the telly.......back in Ethiopia.
I am pleased to announce that the practicalities of the day have also been sorted. I know from experience that you need to be extremely organised. Beginning with diet in the few days which lead up to the race (carbohydrates galore!), how and when to get there, what to drink and when on the day, where any friends and family will be standing to keep an eye out for them (they are so important, for the benefit of leaving your stuff with them, and of course the huge support they can bring; looks like sis and bruv will be my cheering section, complete with pom-poms!) and where to meet them afterwards. Now that I have done all that, it's a bit of a load off the mind. Arriving frazzled, stressed, unprepared and late is not the ideal way of starting a run.
It's a weird feeling, and one which I expect will get weirder over the next nine days. I think about the 10km, I get nervous, I think about the crowds, I get excited, I think about what could go wrong in the lead up (injury), I get nervous, I think about crossing the finish line, I get excited. If I keep this up I am going to be a wreck by the 20th. All the feelings though - even the nerves - are positive (if you can understand that!). All in all I am really looking forward to it, as it is a landmark in a challenge filled with landmarks.......
.......but honestly......why did it have to be pink......??