It’s not often that the weather brings Wall Street to its knees. But Hurricane Sandy is already packing a wallop along the East Coast, and it has prompted the shutdown of U.S. financial markets – which were closed Monday and will remain closed Tuesday.

The last time the weather caused a two-day closure of the markets was back in 1888. That was the year Democrat Grover Cleveland lost his bid for a second term as U.S. president to Republican Benjamin Harrison. It was also the year that the first waxed drinking straw was patented by Marvin C. Stone in Washington, D.C. Go figure.

And ironically, it was the year of the second largest snowfall in New York City history – 21 inches. Extreme weather then, extreme weather now … it seems that some things never change.

Getting over the bridge and onto the Quebec City side of the St. Lawrence River was paramount to finishing the race. A local runner whom was on the bus to the starting line told me it was 13 kilometers to the finish once I got over the bridge. So I knew after that it would be about nine miles.
Helping break that up was knowing my support group would be at mile 22 to cheer me on. I figured once I got over the bridge, I had five miles before seeing them, and then just four to the finish line.

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The Quebec City marathon was more than I expected, on many levels, but I am so proud to have finished it.
From having to go to the ER 13 months ago, to losing 20 pounds while I wondered what was wrong, to Rebecca and I having our first child, it has been a long 15 months. I proved to myself that I could recover from last summer and do another marathon, which is what this whole experience was about.

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Just a quick note. I finished in about 4 hours, 50 minutes. It was a grueling marathon because of hills, but I did it, and am very proud. I’m tired and getting read to leave, so check back Wednesday for last blog entry.

It is just about 12 hours to race time, and the butterflies have started. Ive chowed down on my pasta dinner, after having pasta for lunch the last two days, and feel ready. In fact, I havent felt this ready to run this marathon than I do right now.
But let me say, this isnt just a race trip. Its a trip to take in Quebec City, and it is gorgeous. Someone compared Quebec City to Paris, which is my favorite city.

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One of the best parts of a marathon, other than finishing and having that medal draped around my neck, is bib pick up. Whether the event is big or small, there’s always excitement in the room when all the other runners are picking up their bibs.
This was the case again Friday. Although I was tired from the drive from Boston (it took a little bit longer than I hoped), the nice thing was the hotel for the bib pick up was right across the street.
Therefore, we made the quick jaunt over, and picked up my packet, which includes a champion-chip. That’s what you wear on your shoe so your time can be registered. Also in the packet are some runner’s goodies, some advertisements and a marathon t-shirt. And don’t forget the bib. I am bib No. 93.
We also took a quick walk through a central part of the city, and it was packed. Shops, restuarants, bars and tons of people. It is absolutely gorgeous. Unfortunately, I’m exhausted and starving, so we headed back to our hotel for a quick bit to each, and then some shut eye.
Saturday I’ll do a more expanded blog in preparations for Sunday’s race.

Not much new, other than the 3 mile walk I was supposed to do today never happened. Why?
Well, we flew to Boston to meet some family members, but by the time we got to the hotel and had dinner, it was too late. No big deal, though, since I figured I must have walked three miles in the airport, getting to baggage claim and then the shuttle to the hotel. Plus, we walked to dinner, so I am counting it all as three miles.
Kyan was great on the flight, and I was pleased to see Delta leaving bottles of water at the back of the plane for people to get. You know, with not being allowed to bring beverages on the plane and all, I wondered how the airlines would work it. Delta did a nice job with it, all of which doesn’t make up for them ruining one of our pieces of luggage.
Sorry, nothing too exciting. Fridayit’s on to Quebec City for Sunday’s race. Maybe if we pull in soon enough, I will drop by to pick up my runner’s packet instead of waiting until Saturday.

My last training run is in the books. I knocked it out early Wednesday morning, a three-mile jaunt with Kyan before the heat and before UCLA practice. I still have a three mile walk Thursday, but my running is done with.
Its strange, though, because I didnt experience the same type of euphoria when I finished this training session as my others.
Instead, I felt content, at ease, and eager for the race. The key for the next few days is rest and proper hydration. Im excited for the race to be here, but not anxious.
Certainly, I curtailed my training during the last month, partly because of heat and becoming tired, but also because of my leg injury (which still feels fine, thankfully, after two straight days of running). I havent done the calculations, but I still believed I ran approximately 450 miles in the four months of training.
The end of my training runs also give me a type of inner peace, and sense of achievement, but more on that later this week.
Thursday, it is on to the East Coast, before a Friday drive to Quebec City.

Im not sure what exactly happened, but about 4 p.m. today I got the itch for the race to be here. I wasnt doing anything special, other than picking Kyan up, but suddenly I got a great rush of excitement and was ready for race day.
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I was back out and running Sunday, and although my leg didnt feel perfect, I was able to complete two miles without pain. There was some soreness in the calf area, but not enough to slow me down. In fact, it didnt hamper my running at all.
But once I stopped running, there was only slight soreness in the area between the calf and the bone on the inside of my right leg. It wasnt worse than it has been, which keeps me optimistic for Sundays marathon.
My plan for this week is to run either two or three miles Tuesday and Wednesday, and then walk three miles Thursday.
Check back each day for updates between now and the race.