For the past two weeks, banners like the one on the left have been hanging in various locations throught the bois de Vincennes. For many living near or around the woods, it is a big warning sign: "Do not try to drive around here on Sunday March 6, 2011!" For me, it's been a sign of pride, anticipation and motivation, knowing that I'll be one of those crazy harriers blocking the road on dimanche 6 mars 2011 and "taking the Bastille".
Yesterday, Kelly and I met up at the Parc Floral to pick up our "dossard" (race number) and t-shirt. The t-shirt is not the most beautiful one ever. It is orange and is a black and grey print of the guy above and all of the guys (emphasis on guys) behind him, overrunning the "place de la Bastille". Competitive amateur running is still very much a male sport in France. I think the women are sneaking in gradually, but I don't think that Kel and I are going to see to many ponytails in our place in the running pack, which sort of puts a damper on my usually race strategy of hunting the typical athletic female hairdo.
For our final preparation in the last 20 hours or so before the race, I'll be staying off my feet by heading to the library to write a little. Then, Kel, her husband, Yann, and I will join with a few other runners for a little pre-race pasta feast. Since the race begins at 10am in front of my favorite neighborhood castle (the Château de Vincennes), Kel and I will have a little slumber party at my place so as to both be well positioned in the morning for our warm-up and line-up before the starting gun goes off.
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