EXPO Time = Excitement & $$$

Bloggy meet-up for a few of us.  Diana, Mel, Me and Amanda

I was so ready to go to the expo!  Last year I had no experience at race expos which meant I didn't know what to expect.  This year was a totally different ball game.  I had friends to meet, souvenirs to purchase, skirts to try on and free samples of energy bars.  I was STOKED.  Thanks to Mel I found out there was a Mariners game at the exact time we were planning on going.  I called Diana and we re-arranged our EXPO visitation time.  I didn't like the idea of paying $30 for parking, I hate paying for parking.  We went a little later but it ended up working perfectly and not just because we got street parking for $5, but because Mel and Amanda got there when we did...perfect.  It's always great meeting fellow bloggers and I was thrilled to meet Amanda and her husband who are visiting Seattle for the first time.  It was exciting to pick up my YELLOW bib which shows that I am a FULL MARATHONER!  Booya!  I learned from last year to order a SMALL shirt but it was still too big...guess you can't learn everything in one year...XS next year.  And I am no where near an XS, but thank you shirt makers for making me feel XS...after all we always say running is mental!

How I missed this photo op last year...I have no idea!  Lesson learned this year!

Yah I guess you can tell I am a little excited!

Go, Diana Go!

Moved onto the Brooks area and scoped out prizes (bumper sticker), clothes which I was for sure going to buy since this is my FIRST MARATHON.  I didn't buy anything last year, but made up for that on this visit.  Got to talk to a great gal who works for Brooks, which was so great...she gave me some great advice for my marathon that I would never have thought of.  We had limited time so we had to rush through the rest of the booths.  I made it to the RunningSkirts booth and was so happy to see Cindy and Christy (totally regretted not getting a pic...shoot).  I had to exchange my skirts since they didn't agree with my hips.  I guess the skirts with the compression shorts look better on my hippy body!  Thank goodness for options.  I would love to RAVE on and on about this company and I have only owned there products for a week.  Amazing customer service, AMAZING products...I Love them!  I got the cutest PINK polka dotted skirt...LOVE IT.  Can't wait to get more of their GREAT products.  THANK YOU RUNNINGSKIRTS.COM!  You rock! 

Got some GREAT things at the expo that I have wanted for a long time and I can't wait to try them all out.  A few of them I will be using on marathon day. 

To be honest I was a little worried that the expo might make me more nervous than excited but as soon as we saw the staging for the finish line activities and people walking around with expo bags, I was way more excited and really not nervous.  Just walking through the area where the finish line is and the family meeting area...I was thinking about how the next time I will be there is when I'm a MARATHONER (here I go getting emotional)!  DID you guys get emotional like this?  Or am I a strange one? 

What gets me excited is how you can inspire people through the simple things.  The goals I make can actually inspire others to do something great too, which is so rewarding.  God is GREAT in how he works through all of us and running has been such a testimony of his GREAT love for me.  Allowing me to overcome my fear of running long distances, to set a goal and go after it, to have the support of friends and family and so many other things.  My faith has grown and my dependence on Christ, during this journey has been great because of my need for him for so many of those miles. 

Time to run on outta here...

I have so many other thoughts...but again...writers block.  Next up: water, carbs, water, protein, water, Bloggy meet-up for dinner, water, sleep, water, an early wake-up call and then it's off to the STARTING LINE of a LIFE LONG DREAM!  Can't wait...SO EXCITED!