[9/8/12]: One day left... :) Final updates, thoughts, and thanks to everyone!

Hi everyone!

Final pre-race update... I never thought I would ever say those words. It's been a long, humbling journey and I sincerely thank you all for your love, prayers, donations, and overwhelming support! I seriously can't express how thankful I am for everyone, especially during this hard time in my life during medical school. Here are some final pre-race pictures that I would like to share before the start of the race:

Reached my donation goal!! [9/6/12]

Half marathon expo at Navy Pier

Bib # and shirt :)

6 1/2 months of work! This mileage does not include the recovery runs I would run. Total of about 300+ miles. :)

Another HUGE blessing is my family is here to support me!!!! They flew in this morning and, although I had to study a lot today for my exam on Monday, I'm SO thankful that they're here. :)

Now my thoughts...

Although I started this journey primarily to raise money for kids and communities in Africa to provide clean water to them, I also started it for personal reasons as well. I went through a very traumatic time in my life at the end of January and, as a result of that event, decided that I needed to search for God and trust in Him completely. Before I decided to start training for this half marathon, I wasn't sure how to do that... I was lost, unfocused, losing confidence, and very vulnerable. I found out about Team World Vision from an announcement made at Park Community Church. I saw the advertisement for it, thought to myself "Hey... I used to run...", and decided to seriously think about it.

After praying about it and doing a lot of soul searching, I joined Team World Vision and began this wonderful, but extremely trying journey. Seriously, without God as my strength giving me courage, I would never have made it to this point. My podiatrist who performed my two ankle reconstruction surgeries gave me a 25-30% chance of making it to race day healthy and ready to run. Not only am I ready to run... I'm ready to race. I'm healthier and more fit than I've ever been in my life. Regardless of what happens tomorrow morning, I feel like my goal of becoming closer to God and having a much more meaningful and powerful relationship with Him will be complete. In terms of my own personal journey, reaching my goal will also mean that I can atone for my actions in January. I will honor the sacrifice that was made in January and honor the gifts that were graciously given to me. No matter the pain, no matter the cost... I'll make this race worth it. I haven't really expressed this at all during these past 6 1/2 months but I still run with some pain in my feet. I view it, however, as my old friend, something that is going to stick with me. The way I see it, though, I will gladly accept it as something that reminds me of how far I've been able to come and the journey ahead.

Till tomorrow :) I will post the official result after my exam on Monday and my final thoughts and future. I can't believe that this blog is going to be done! I hope to be able to look back on this and tell myself... "wow... I actually did it". Here we go... Thank you all!! God bless :)

Marc :)

1 Corinthians 6:20 “Glorify God in your body”