Ready or not...

I've not been able to sleep past 4:45a for the past couple days - yet I'm not tired (yet)...and I honestly can't believe I'm this nervous about Marine Corps. Do I feel prepared? No - though it's not for lack of training, rather my last two "long runs" didn't end well. So now I'm a head-case...can I do it? Yes, I know I'll finish...but it's that darn Bronze Belt I covet. I really, really want to earn a bronze. I'd be feeling pretty confident, too...if it weren't for those stinkin' last long runs (when I say a "bronze belt", I'm referring to our PACER Team "belt system" which rewards your efforts based on an age graded % compared to the world's elite; bronze is the sixth out of nine "belts").

Anyway, my brother-in-law, who will also be running the marathon (sub 3 hour goal, btw) recommended a three day "carbo-load"; 600g carbohydrates/day on Thursday (today), Friday & Saturday. The science behind it shows that athletes are better able to prevent hypoglycemia by increasing your body's energy stores (for endurance events greater than 2 hours). So, not having really paid any attention to carbohydrate levels in food, I figured, "no problem- I like carbs...". Well, it's now 11am and I've been eating CONSTANTLY all morning, and I'm only up to 170g consumed (after I finish this large Berry Bomb smoothie I'm currently drinking) - It's a darn good thing I work where I do - access to a lot of food and the nutritional data readily available to go with it. I'm trying to get as much as I can from other sources than just wheat - as I can't tolerate a whole lot of the stuff at once. Bottom line is, I'm sure I'll put on a few pounds, but I'm hoping it's not too much as I'll need all the oxygenation I can get without excess fat stores stealing it all!

Speaking of oxygenation, tt amazes me how much science can be involved in this whole endurance-sport thing. Hydration, proper fueling, training with enough mileage, interval training, monitoring heart rate levels, VO2max levels...Enough to make anyone's head spin.  I'm lucky this time around that I understand a whole lot more going into this marathon (not so much when I ran NYC 11 years ago) and hopefully this will help me get past the dreaded wall, and not crash & burn like I did last time.  But...we'll find out in a few days!

Ready or not, here I come...

You get out what you put in.

There are countless foundations that exist to raise funds/awareness for any number of causes; disease, animal rescue, organ donation, to name a few.  Some are huge, while others might be local groups only concerned with a small geographical area.  Some have even managed to grow big enough to be a household name, or at the very least instantly recognizeable by any member of the public. 

Two friends of mine participated in an event last weekend for one organization in particular because they both have been affected by breast cancer; one a survivor, the other a supporter and friend who walked for many people who've battled the disease. 

I'm choosing not to name names, although I'm sure many of you can guess what I'm referring to.  While I am completely impressed with how much money and awareness is raised - so much good comes from these organizations and events, especially the sense of accomplishment and comraderie by the participants - I'm at a loss when it comes to the food they offered the participants along the way.

I 100%, with all my being believe that you are what you eat.  You only get out what you put in.  When you eat, you are fueling all processes of your body - would you fill up your car's gas tank with soda and expect it to work right?  Why then would you fill your body with junk and expect nothing but optimal performance?

While I understand there were some good options for refueling along the way (such as fresh fruit and lean protein), I (just for example) wish something like salted peanuts were handed out for salt replacement instead of chips.  Or loads of fresh fruit or even dark chocolate covered strawberries were offered for dessert, rather than cakes and other treats. 

I also understand we all like to eat goodies, particularly as a reward for hard work...but isn't that kind of mentality what got us to where we are in the first place?  The top three killers of American people are preventable (source).  Including some cancers (source 1, source 2).  I would love to see these big organizations include a food awareness component...maybe the message would reach more people, and more disease could be prevented from happening in the first place, especially when it comes to our daughters and sons. 

I'd love to hear what you think...

Nope, no sasquatch here - it's only me.

T-minus 17 days (AGH!) until the Marine Corps Marathon...and although I've done my training including a 20 miler (and 22 miler this weekend) I feel REALLY pensive about the big day...am I ready?  I should be...but I don't feel as though I am...every time I think about it, I feel a little surge/jolt of adrenaline...and an "oh boy - what did I sign myself up for?"...

 "...crawl if you must, just never give up." -Dean Karnazes

I suppose I've just gotten used to the training aspect of an event...so I just "do", then get to the race and have a good day just soaking up the energy and comraderie.  But now that I'm doing something a tad more difficult...and unfamiliar...yikes.  I am not worried about finishing - I'll make it there even if I have to crawl...I'm more worried about meeting any of my goals (4 hour finish - 1st goal; 4:15 hour finish - 2nd goal; 4:30 hour finish - 3rd goal) - and about my hamstrings seizing up.  And there's the ever present issue of my feet...which have been great thus far...except that when I run a bit faster my toes really hurt.  There's enough room in the toebox widthwise...but I think the real problem may be...the shoes...are a 1/2 size...too small.  This, my friends, is a PROBLEM.  You see, I was blessed with an average height, but above average sized hands and feet. 

I'm fairly convinced I stunted my growth somewhere along the way, or my brain failed to send out the "STOP HERE" message to my hands & feet when my body reached 5 ft 5 inches.  So, if palming the basketball meant automatic greatness in the world of the WNBA, I'd be a shoo-in.  I'd also make a great clown - as my feet would fill out those damn clown shoes no problem at all.  And NOW it looks as if I might have to get an even BIGGER size shoe!?  (Ok, I'll pause for a minute to endure the teasing and jokes...right...now).

Anyway, I've been in denial for a while.  I mean, what kind of cruel joke is it that I have to go from a 10.5 to an 11?  Yes - 11.  The size most 6ft+ ladies wear.  So I might just have to resign myself to bruised toes and some loose toenails for at least until this marathon is over.  Then I might have to find another shoe that fits well...under size 11.  Or cut off my toes.

It's Not For The Weak

I remember once when I was visiting my dad in Seattle, we popped into a very small bookstore that had both new and gently used books.  It was next to a small independent coffee shop (which I'm pretty sure is the only reason why we stopped in...my dad is a small coffee shop fanatic), so after we got a regular drip coffee for me and a double bone dry cappuccino for my dad, we went over to take a look.

I happened upon a book on surgical procedures ranging from the very short & sweet to very involved.  I've always been very interested in human anatomy and how things work...so it was neat to see different surgeries documented artistically....until...I started feeling very hot.  And woozy.  And kind of sick to my stomach.  Looking at the photos in the book was making me sick!  I actually had to close it up and head outside for fresh air...what a wimp! 

Since then, along the way, I've noticed that certain things made me feel the same way - kid's loose teeth (the "hanging by a thread" kind), vomit that didn't quite make it into the toilet,  big, thick scabs that start coming loose...you get the idea.  All part of the wonderful parenting experience.  I would never have learned how truly strong my stomach can be were it not for the 3 wonderful children I've raised thus far...3 very active, wonderful kids...

This afternoon I had the privilege of adding "stitch removal" to my mom-resume (repeat knowledge for those who are "friends" of mine on FB)...and I'm quite impressed with my skills, I might add...although kid #2 is a seasoned veteran of "stitching" anyway, so she was cool as a cucumber as I removed all 7 of 'em.  It also helped that I've seen it done about 5 other times...(Kid #1 is no stranger to lacerations, either).  I was doing great too, until I got to the last one...which was tied very tight and somehow managed to heal itself in with the cut...I started getting the all too familiar feelings of heat, wooziness and nauseousness, but somehow managed to keep it together and remove the last, stubborn stitch...without the kid noticing the beads of sweat forming on my nose...

I guess I can chalk it up to life experience...the more you experience - the more adversity you face and come away from intact - the more you grow and the more you can take on without, in this case, passing out.  Although, here's to hoping for no more ER visits - I think I've grown enough in that regard!