Countdown to Bear Mtn has begun

For all of you watching the Derby tomorrow, don't forget to send positive vibes my way as well.  Race starts at 5:00 a.m. local time, and I'm guessing a 10+ hour total time to complete.  Apparently there is an Android and iPhone app available from Sportstats, which will report my time over the few on course check points and over the finish.  Not nearly as techy and accessible as the NYC Marathon, but most trail races (even those sponsored by TNF) are much, much smaller than such road races.

Picked up my bib and race swag yesterday.  I also gave them my two drop bags -- that is what made me a bit nervous.  The bag set at mile 27.7 has an extra set of clothes including capri running pants and an older pair of backup shoes in case chafing becomes enough of an issue, two Clif Mojo bars, and two Clif gels with lots of caffeine (meant to supplement the gels available in the race for an extra oomph of mentation support).  The bag for mile 40.3 has the same Mojo and gels plus some GU chews, extra Body Glide, and sport tape.  Did everything go to the mileage point at which I'll need it??  Did I remember everything?  Oh boy oh boy oh boy *bounce*bounce*bounce*  Quick, hand me a banjo (Sam's suggested distraction method)!

Today in Harriman State Park is rain, high of 78, low tonight of 58.  Tomorrow is a mere 20% chance of rain (meaning likely sunny skies), high of 70.  Could be worse.  Think soothing thoughts.  Banjos.  Kittehs behaving themselves.  Worse race parameters (i.e. 100-mile races).  The luxury of fun reading.

The kit (though I forgot the water bottle):

Apparently I run for team Blue Mismatch.  Hoping to get enough dirt/mud/salty sweat on me to make my unintentional color scheme a little less evident.  Or perhaps the winced look on my face will accomplish the same thing.

T-minus 22 hours 16 minutes....