✈️ Bags Packed, Heart Racing

There’s a certain kind of buzz that comes with travel — the hum of airport gates, the shuffle of luggage wheels, the quiet thought of what if everything I’ve worked for comes down to this weekend?

I’ve run plenty of miles in plenty of places, but there’s something different about packing for a marathon trip. The playlists get extra curated. The nutrition bag somehow becomes the most sacred of all carry-ons. And every little thing — from the weather forecast to the bib pickup schedule — starts to feel charged with meaning.

The truth is, pre-marathon jitters aren’t really nerves. They’re the body’s way of whispering: You’re about to do something big. Every long run, every early morning, every aching muscle has led here — to this one starting line that somehow feels more personal than all the others.

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Of course, no trip is complete without a good book — and this time I’m bringing along The Inmate by Freida McFadden. I have been trying to make time to finish it so what better way to pass time on the flight tomorrow. It’s one of those fast-paced thrillers that keeps your pulse up for completely different reasons than running 26.2 miles. Seems fitting, right?

There’s something about losing yourself in a story when your mind can’t stop replaying pace charts and weather updates. A little distraction, a little suspense — the perfect balance.

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As I zip up my suitcase and double-check the gels, I can’t help but feel that familiar mix of excitement and awe. No matter how many times you’ve done it, marathon weekend never stops feeling sacred. It’s the celebration of months of discipline, resilience, and heart.

So here’s to calm nerves, strong legs, and a race I’ll never forget.

Chicago, I’m coming for you. 🏃‍♀️✨