There isn’t much that I can say about this last update. I knew Joel is extremely tired (aren’t we all?), but in a matter of minutes, the Final Four Hours will commence, and before he knows it, he will be sitting on the BJC floor.

Joel, I’m so proud of you, brother. You have dedicated so much of your time to this cause, worked so hard to raise the most money you could as an independent dancer, and you deserve every second of this amazing experience. I will never forget that when you found out that you were dancing, you excitedly declared you were going to make me a sandwich (you still owe me that sandwich). I’m immensely proud to call you one of my best friends.

Enjoy these last few hours, and I will be waiting to pick you up outside once it is all done, buddy. Take it away:

“So I guess this is my last update for THON 2013. It’s hard to believe we are only a few hours away from the total reveal, which I am anticipating even more after JayPa’s statement that $11 million is within reach. Right now, I feel terrific. I am wide awake, well-hydrated, and the legendary Tucker Haas just took the stage. My feet ache, but it’s a dull pain muted by the tremendous energy in the BJC!

Take a step back. At 7 a.m. this morning, I hit “the wall.” I had heard previous dancers refer to a point where they almost broke, and I hit it hard. I couldn’t stay awake, even when walking and throwing a tennis ball. My stomach churned and I felt the quick pulse in my feet. Luckily, thanks in part to a brief trip outside to see the sunrise, a 30-second ice bath, and advice from my terrific Moraler, Ashley Weinheimer, things turned around. Now, at 10:30 am, I feel like a million bucks, and it seems like every other dancer, spectator and Four Diamonds Child does too.

Speaking of the kids, I want to give a quick shoutout to Dominque and Natasha Bigler, Layla and Logan Bryan, and Dylan and Natasha Moser. My THON weekend was made by having the opportunity to spend time with these incredible people.  Thanks for putting up with me, and I hope you’ve had as much fun as me!

FTK,

Joel”