5...4...3...2...1...

Five more days. The marathon is just 5 days away. And believe it or not, I'm excited.

Through all the injuries, illness, training, doubts and fears, I know that, barring any unforeseen injuries, I'll finish. Not only that, but I'll finish strong. And so will my friends.

But, what I've learned is that I didn't do this just to finish. I finally realize that I did it for the journey. The journey has made this whole experience something I will treasure forever.

I learned that despite my insecurities about being the slowest runner and holding people back, I like running with a friend better than I like running alone. I like the support I get and the encouragement I can give. I like having that friendly face waiting for me as I come around the corner at mile 5 and encouraging her to start running again because I'm not quite ready for that walk break. And what keeps me going is the shared experience of each training run and having that celebratory beer at the end.

I learned that training for a marathon is a lot like life and vice versa. Some days the runs are easy and natural and you feel like you can run forever. Others, it feels like a struggle, like you don't know how you'll even get through the first mile. And it's taught me that it's all a journey, that even when you reach one destination, it's just a water station on the longer journey.

I learned that beer is hydrating, or at least it is according to an article I'm taking as gospel.

I learned that injuries are a part of the deal once you turn 40, and the key is managing them, stretching religiously and using that f#%king foam roller.

I learned that Shot Blocks rock and will be consumed by me every two miles.

And I learned that I'm doing this race with some of the most dedicated and most supportive women I know, and I am one of the luckiest people in the world to call them my friends.

So we leave for Vancouver Island on Thursday, and starting today, I'm going to make this a daily blog up until race day (thanks to the magic of my wonderful iPad), so stay tuned for the adventures of the Seattle Monthly Runners - Marathon Division as we head up to Canada and conquer the Edge to Edge Marathon.

Tomorrow...packing all the goos, electrolytes and supplements. Can I take all that crap across the border?