“Just wanted to make sure you’re awake,” she says, and it nearly makes me cry because she believes I can really do this.

I grab a shower to wake myself up, pull on the clothes I laid out the night before: my favorite pink shorts and the panties that never ride up. I safety pin my race number to my white tank.

I ride to Nashville with my family, just the three of us. Nick drives and Mom mans the radio. They both took off work. My knee shakes the entire drive.

After getting good-luck hugs from my mom and brother, I join my team under the tree with Matt’s blue flag. Andrew has an arm around Liza’s waist, and they both hug me.

Matt smiles around at those of us who made it to today. “I’ll see you all at the finish line,” he says without a trace of doubt in his voice. And then it’s time for us to head to our corrals.

But I have one final thing to do: I slather Vaseline all over my thighs.

“Another Vaseline convert,” Matt says, chuckling. “Told you it’d help with the chafing.”

“I don’t think I’m comfortable with you talking to my girl about chafing,” Jeremiah says as he walks up to our team.

“I’m her coach. It’s well within my bounds.”

“And I’m your brother. It’s well within my bounds to knock you upside the head.”

And of course, the brothers start in on each other. Jeremiah grabs Matt in a headlock and Matt jabs at his brother’s stomach. I roll my eyes.

An announcer’s booming voice tells us to report to our corrals. The cool air seems to still. I begin to follow Andrew, but Jeremiah takes my elbow.

“Good luck,” he says, quickly pecking my lips. He tweaks my braid, then walks off with his brother, waving at me over his shoulder.

I weave through the crowd to my corral.

I check my shoelaces one last time.

Make sure my official timer is attached to my shoe.

Shake out my legs.

Slip Kyle’s red Nike headband on.

A gun fires in the distance. The crowd inches forward. Cheers echo in the park. And I’m off.

And as I cross the starting line, I picture Kyle’s face and say thank you for helping me get through this. Thank you for all you’ve given me.

And when I look up at the gray sky, light breaks through a cloud and I feel the sun on my face.

Marathon Training Schedule~Brown’s Race Co.

Name Annie Winters

Saturday

Distance

Notes

April 20

3 miles

I’m really doing this! Finish time 34:00

April 27

5 miles

Stupid Running Backwords Boy!!

May 4

6 miles

Blister from HELL

May 11

5 miles

Ran downtown Nashville

May 18

7 miles

Tripped on rock. Fell on my butt

May 25

8 miles

Came in 5 min. quicker than usual!

June 1

10 miles

Let’s just pretend this day never happened…

June 8

9 miles

Evil suicide sprint things. Ran w/ Liza. Got sick.

June 15

7 miles

Skipped Saturday’s run…had to make it up Sunday.

June 22

8 miles

Stomach hurt again. Matt said eat granola instead of oatmeal.

June 29

9 miles

Matt says it’s time for new tennis shoes.

July 6

10 miles

Jere got hurt.

July 13

12 miles

Finished in 2:14! Only had to use bathroom once

July 20

13 miles

Halfway there!

July 27

15 miles

Humidity just about finished me off. Time 3:06.

August 3

14 miles

Hurt knee. Overdosed on Pepto.

August 10

11 miles

Wore new knee brace—it messes with my gait.

August 17

16 miles

Didn’t get enough sleep in dorms.

August 24

20 miles

Need lifetime supply of Pepto & ice packs. Stat!

August 31

14 miles

Ran w/ Liza & Andrew

September 7

22 miles

Holy crap! Time 4:35. I ran for 1/2 a school day!

September 14

20 miles

Knee brace is The Devil.

September 21

The Bluegrass Half Marathon

Finished in 2:26! Won a medal!

September 28

12 miles

Tapering off.

October 5

10 miles

Almost there!

October 12

Country Music Marathon in Nashville

Signed up for San Francisco Marathon!