Marathon training by the numbers

18: miles for my last long run
4: AM start
1: "Dead Man's" curves along the route
900: Japanese tourists running alongside me for 13.1 miles
1100: Guamies running and cheering for 13.1 miles
1: Dead snakes almost stepped on
2: Times I reminded the guy at the gas station not to tow my car during the run
18: Days to go til the marathon!!

Yes, I'm still planning on running a marathon in 18 days. I've just gotten some spanking new running shoes, so I'm feeling pretty darn ready to complete 26.2 miles. 

Still, in order to successfully reach my other, way more important goal of raising $2500 for the Celiac Disease Foundation, I'm reaching out to you and anyone you know. Thanks to the generosity of folks, I'm only $931 away from this milestone! So close, yet so far...

Which means that it's time for me to get creative. I know that there are a couple (read: many) of you that don't think (read: cannot comprehend) that I could finish a marathon. For those in this category that are gambling folks, I'll make you a bet. For ever $26.20 you donate, you get a vote. If I fail to finish the marathon, you get to decide if I:

1) Drink a gluten free beer from my nasty post-marathon attempt running shoes;

2) Wear a dress in public on the day after the marathon; or

3) Get a henna tattoo on my face ala Mike Tyson.

Votes/donations are open now! Click here (http://www.active.com/donate/teamglutenfree/allisonrutter) to support me and/or me wearing a dress :) 

But hey, don't wait for me to tell you how I did, see where I am as I run the race! On November 6th, you can (supposedly) go here (http://www.nycmarathon.org/athlete_alert.htm) and find out where I am. I'll send out my bib number when I have it, and you can use that to track me.

If you can't donate, know that there are other ways to support me. I really appreciate the kind words that people have been sending my way. Here's a way to share them during the race! ASICS has some big screens along the course. You can create a message/picture/video that I'll see during the race if you click here (www.supportyourmarathoner.com). You can search for me using my registration number: 744942

Here are some pictures of training along the way. 10Ks, half marathons, and ice baths, oh my!