you can rest on the bus.

By the time you see this post, I will be running the Cape Cod Marathon! Though Hurricane Sandy may have derailed my year-long plans to run the Marine Corps Marathon, I couldn't be more grateful the wonderful folks at CCM let me join their fold this weekend. After months of training, I knew I had to get the 26.2 miles in somewhere. Running one of the most scenic {albeit hilly} marathons in the country makes up for the fact I won't be running by my favorite sights in DC.

In preparation for my race, I had a few t-shirts made. After my first marathon in 2004, I learned how important it is to have your name on your shirt somewhere. Spectators are fabulous human beings--and when they see your name and yell for you, it gives you a little extra spring in your step. On the back of my shirt, it begs the viewer to pretty please say "you can rest on the bus" to me. It may sound random {and maybe a little strange} to you, but these few words mean the world to me.

I ran cross country during all four years of high school and loved every minute of it. My parents were incredibly supportive of my running adventures, traveling all over Indiana to see me race. As a runner himself, my dad was notorious for running all over the course and cheering on our team. Just before every race, he always whispered these six words in my ear: "you can rest on the bus." It was his way of encouraging me to put every ounce of effort into my race because I really could rest on the bus ride home.

{Fast forward seven years to our wedding day} As we were turning to walk down the aisle, my dad whispered this little phrase in my ear. I knew exactly what he meant when he said it: he wanted me to soak in the day but also to remember what great adventures awaited {cv} and me as we started our life together.

This phrase has always been tattooed on my heart...and my dad always says it at just the right moment. Sadly, my parents are attending a wedding this weekend in Tennessee and couldn't make it to my race. Though it won't be exactly the same to hear strangers yell this catchphrase to me, you better believe it will give me a smile and the courage to keep on pushing.
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Today, I'm focusing on completion--and not my time--because of the hills which await me. The only thing I could ask for are your thoughts and prayers as I run on my robo-leg. I promise a full race run-down very soon! If you want more up-to-the minute info, I am @amv529 on instagram, so you can get a few glimpses of my sweaty self there. The Cape Cod Marathon is so small {think 1,300 runners compared to the 35,000 in DC!} that they don't have "text alerts", but I'll be sure to tweet when I finish. The best part about today? I know I can "rest on the bus" once I'm done.

P.S. Mom + Dad: I can feel you cheering all the way from the Midwest! Thank you for being a constant source of support--and for loving me to the moon and back. The same goes for {cv}: I know his face will be a shining light throughout the  entire race. I am so lucky to have him as my lifelong cheerleader! And to my friends who have put up with my crazy schedule for the past few months: I'll be back to normal soon! Love to you all :)