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Here goes my usual all systems check:

1. Legs - you are strong, powerful, muscular and tough. Although at times I may put you down, I am mostly keeping your best interest at heart: I ice you, I strengthen you, I roll you, I get you into compression and recovery socks. We both know that you are going to get most of the beating on Monday, but you can handle it better than any other body part anyway! Legs, you rock!

2. R hip - you've given me signals that I push too much, that I am not running easy enough during easy days. I can come up with excuses, blame the brain and its addiction to endorphins, but I am not. I massaged you and the adductors, I rolled you, I iced you, and you've been quiet lately. I hope you'll cooperate on Monday. You don't want to be singled out do you? And, I won't pay attention to your whining anyway!

3. Arms - you tend to get lazy, and don't help out much. You sort of hang out while the rest of us do all the work. That needs to change on Monday. You are strong, defined, and ...shhhs, you are my best looking body part! I need you to work on Monday, help the legs out up the hills, arms!

4. Abdomen - you tend to bend forward when the legs get tired. You think you are helping out when you do that, but really you are not. You cut down the oxygen and make things harder for the other body part. I've worked you out with abs and planks and swimming. Look in the mirror if you don't believe, you are hard as a rock! You need to sit up straight like we've practice, and help us hold form throughout the marathon.

5. Toes - there is no way around it, you are going to lose a couple of toenails, get a couple of blisters, the usual. I got you new injinji socks and we'll lube up, but the truth is, you are too long and uneven...You have been such troupers and I promise you some love after the race. Maybe even a pedicure (gasp!).

6. Face - you can be serious when going up the hill, I know you get like that when the going gets hard. But remember Baystate and Quincy Half? Remember how smiling got all the body parts feeling better? When you smile, the brain finds it easier to relax and not concern itself with the pain.

7. Stomach - you are strong, you always manage to digest 4-6 gus, no problem. You do get a little upset toward the end of marathons, and give out signs of nausea. I am fine with that, I know you really do the best you can, and we've managed with that so far!

8. Brain and Mind - you guys are rocks! You really are! You never cease to amaze me! You really are my best assets and I would not change that! We've worked hard together to get you where you are! It's nice that I can always count on you, and so far you've always been there for me. I am counting on you on Monday once again. You know the drill - if something goes wrong, you need to keep all systems in check, you need to distract us if we need distraction, motivate us if we need motivation, help us stay flexible when something goes not according to plan. You need to generate thoughts that are going to help us, and turn everything around to benefit us!

That's it, folks! We'll be trying for even splits following the 3:20 pace tat! See you on the other side!