Today, I am filled with gratitude. I am grateful for my community – both my Alberta community and my BC community – that have rallied around me and supported me in this quest. Without you, I would not be heading to Sweden.

I will leave in approximately 24 hours, and amid the mad rush of preparation, I wanted to stop and say thank you. Thank you for travelling with me on this journey.

My goal is to update my blog as often as possible during my time in Sweden, to share the stories (the good and the bad!) with you. Please feel free to follow me here: karmenmcnamara.com/blog .

If you wish you watch the race live, it can be streamed here starting at 9am Sweden time (midnight PDT) on Saturday June 27: http://www.sportwebben.se/ .

See you at the finish line.