We've logged our miles and relished in a restful week of tapering—strict orders from our coaches in the Nike 26.2 Training Program. Now, we're getting pumped up for Sunday's NYC Marathon with special pre-race events hosted by Nike+. One of our first stops is the Athlete Pep Rally at Niketown, where Nike+ members, local cross country teams, and running enthusiasts anxiously awaited to hear from the
guests of honor.

Surrounded by a sea of high school athletes from Brooklyn we were greeted by
Skeery Jones from Z100 who introduced the opening act, a group of drummers called the Brooklyn Steppers who got the crowd warmed up with some really cool drumming.

And then they entered.
Just a few feet away stood two running legends of our generation—Paula Radcliffe, the three-time NYC champion and world record holder from the UK, and Robert Cheruiyot, the four-time Boston champion from Kenya. As rookie marathoners, we were humbled to be in their presence. It only took a few seconds to notice their physique—slender, muscular, and 100% athletic. Smiling ear to ear, Paula greeted the crowd with ease, while Robert—noticeably more reserved in front of the large crowd—gave a humble nod to the audience.

The Q&A began with questions to Paula. Being the more talkative of the two, Paula shared inspirational stories and insider tips on her marathon experiences. She noted her love for the New York City marathon, explaining how each borough offered a unique set of audiences and surroundings. She even told us where she would be dining for her pre-race meal—a nice steak at Rosie O'Grady's, an Irish pub close to the finish of the marathon course.

Robert was soft spoken and humble, but did not hesitate to show his confidence in his running. When asked if he thought he could win the race on Sunday, he smiled, and commented, "Anything is possible." The emcee then asked, "What do you think about after you have finished a race?" Robert smiled and replied, "I thank
God and think about my family."

One of the things that we will try to remember on Sunday was the golden advice that Paula ended with, "Remember that you're prepared for this and that you completed your training, and don't forget to have fun. As we stand with over 40,000 runners on Sunday, we'll be sure to remember Paula's words.

-Aileen and Briana