Scientists say that our brains deliberately make us forget things to prevent insanity.

I would add and remark that in case of runners the brain is superlatively able to filter experiences and retain the great memories of a good run, discarding the ones related to the extreme fatigues and efforts needed to get to the peak.

Or better, rather than forget, it grinds and compound every drops and tiredness into one unique vague feeling. That feeling that unites all the marathoners and let them agree that the famous 42.197mt is not an endeavor for everyone.

Today I confronted once more myself with my brain. And I can confirm the theory. Human beings tend to forget that the road to the glory is paved by incredibly fatigue!

742km run so until today. And today the 4th and last 30+. A 36km to train and prepare the body for the race.

"Time Volume" my trainer Matteo keeps saying. It means I should go slower.

I have skipped the Lisboa Half Marathon and the Parma 32km today because I have to go....slower. Easy, right?

Well, It is tough. It is tough to slow down and keep a easy pace. You want to push hard, you feel that the goal is near (only 21 days), you know it is the last 36km, you know you have been working out hard during summer evenings, in every location, waking up at 4.30 in the morning, doing 3 great 30+km (with 2 bests), and then today you have to....slow down.

Hard, very hard. But the best you can do is follow your sensation, and think that it is still not over yet. Still 3 hours. Only 3 hours and then New York will be visible at the horizon. But not now.

I did as planned. I did as my body knows already since the previous 6 Marathons. I relaxed and enjoyed the the journey.

First 10km in control (52.20), second 10km exactly at the same pace (52.24), third 10km again as a machin (51.55).

After 30km the Marathon starts. And you finish it with your HEART.

And that is what I did after 30km, I trained my heart. I started warming it up and living the dream.

Roughly 70 km in 3 weeks divides us from the day when NY will move us.

Next Sunday, I will run the Amsterdam Half Marathon as the final fine tune.

And then the train will be over. Saturday Evening in the Village. As the old poem of Giacomo Leopardi says, now is the most exciting time.

Fly Felice Fly!