I cant believe race week (read: best week) is upon us. I started my journey to run my eighth marathon 120 days ago, and in four days Ill toe my feet to the line.The path hasnt been the smoothest. I had to miss a whole week of training for foot pain, I didnt finish two workouts within two weeks of the marathon, and there were many days -- even after I completed a run -- when I doubted myself. But sometimes the training is what makes it all worth it.Ive reached the tapering part of the training cycle, which is probably the toughest portion: Ive reduced my running mileage, my food and water intake matters more and sleep is even more important. Meanwhile, I have more and more time to stress about how my body is feeling. So the more you can relax, de-stress, rest and stretch, the better youll feel going in to race day.About 75 percent of the approximately 50,000 participants will be running their first New York City marathon. But even if this is your 50th marathon, race day is always special. Youve put in the work, and now its time to reap the benefits of your dedication. Enjoy the day and the atmosphere and -- above all -- enjoy the people who scream your name, hand you water and make the experience once in a lifetime.I cant predict how Sunday will go, but you can count on this: It will be my fifth New York marathon, Ill have my name written on pink duct tape, espnW will be on my hat, my favorite city will be the background and two million people will be cheering me on. As Kathrine Switzer said, If youre losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon.Whether youre on the streets of New York, running in the race or watching on ABC or ESPN2, the New York City Marathon is a 26.2-mile block party, and I encourage you to join in!Some tips and reminders for race day:Remember, you paid for this. Painful or not, at some point you thought this was a good idea.Trust your training. Theres a reason why you train for four months to run for about four hours (give or take).The medal and your celebration drink-of-choice afterward will be worth it.Whether you run your goal time or not, you finished a marathon. At the end of the day, that is pretty cool.New York spectators are loud and exciting, but be careful of the crowd on First Avenue.?They can make you go faster than you maybe should with 10 miles left. At the same time, let them carry you through the pain.Look up from the road. New York is scenic in its own right, so dont forget to look at the worlds best skyline.Duct tape your name to your shirt, or have it written on you somehow. It makes all the difference to the crowd.Youre part of a great parade. Smile, laugh and maybe cry, and at the end of the day be grateful for what your body was able to accomplish.Dont try anything new during the race.You can never have enough body glide.Training Notebook: Longest run:?16 miles. All three of my 16-milers have been completed. Time to taper!! Hardest run:?Final 10-mile tempo run. I had to stop after seven miles because of fatigue and a sore hamstring. Highest weekly mileage:?51 miles. Biggest accomplishment:?Having only three runs standing between me and the starting line!Megan Flood is a seven-time marathoner and half marathoner. She is on a quest to qualify for the Boston Marathon and hopes New York 2016 is her ticket to Boston. You can follow her progress every other week here on espnW.com and on Twitter @meganflood11. Krys Kolanos Jersey . Rinne played two periods in his first game since left hip surgery in early May. Gabriel Bourque scored 3:07 into the second period and Austin Watson tallied 5:15 later for Nashville. Derek Stepan Jersey . P.A. Parenteau scored early in the third period to help the Avs edge Toronto 2-1 on Tuesday night. 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FRISCO, Texas -- Dallas defensive end Randy Gregory is facing a longer suspension over another violation of the NFLs substance-abuse policy, and owner Jerry Jones says he doesnt expect to see the troubled player at training camp in California.With Gregory already suspended for the first four games this season, Jones said Wednesday that the Cowboys havent heard from the league about a possible 10-game ban for another failed drug test.A day after reports that Gregory was in rehab, Jones acknowledged that the former Nebraska standout was undergoing treatment.Its very disappointing, Jones told reporters during an event at the teams new headquarters in the Dallas suburb of Frisco.But it does point out the difficulty you have with addiction. And there is no question he needs the kind of help and care he is getting right now.Considered one of the best pass rushers in the 2015 draft, Gregory slid to the Cowboys at the end of the second round after he tested positive for marijuana at the NFL combine. His first suspension was announced in February.Gregory played 12 games without a sack as a rookie, missing four games early in the season with a sprained right ankle. He participated in all the offseason workouts despite the suspension,