8 miles today, 9 days to go! Plus a public service announcement.

Today was my final big run before the race! I scooted down to the lake path then all the way north to Granville Road and back home. 

And I don't feel beat up, achy or injured (despite a few bicycles and a rude dog getting a little closer to me than I prefer). In fact, I feel pretty awesome and accomplished. 

Tomorrow I'm giving blood! I really like giving blood. It's easy and makes you feel really good, especially since my dad received blood when he was in the hospital. I don't even miss the blood I give, since I'm so excellent at replenishing it myself.

I think YOU should give blood too, if you can. I had to wait until a year after I went to Costa Rica, but I'm sure someone like you is at least a candidate to give blood. Here are several reasons to give blood:

• You get a cool card with your blood type on it. You can say things like "I'm so positive that you're a weinie that my blood type is O-positive." Or "I even get an A in blood, that's how smart I am."
• According to me and my personal labor laws, you can use sick time or paid time to give blood.
• When you give blood you are automatically allowed to brag. And you sound brave to people who are scared of needles and blood. "Oh, I'm not freaked out by much - I just lost a pint of blood then ate six Oreos."
• When you give blood you get to lay down and watch bad soaps. Afterward you drink water and eat cookies. Delicious!
• You might get a cool compliment about yourself. For instance, I'm told I have "beautiful veins" which resemble "water hoses." Who knew!?!
• Your donation can save up to three lives. Heroic, no? 

I gave blood while my dad was in the hospital and it felt really, really important to me. I felt like the blood he got was good for him because it gave him better reserves to fight infection and recover, but also because someone gave it. 

Someone sat in a reclining chair, took an hour out of their day to share blood and eat some cookies. With my dad. I certainly never thought about that before my last donation, but I think it's a pretty beautiful thing. 

If you do want to give blood check out Lifesource in the Chicago area, and the rockstar American Red Cross elsewhere.