Sunday, November 13, 2005

4 Weeks

Yup, in a short four weeks, I will be running the Honolulu Marathon. At exactly this time, in fact (if you consider the time difference).

Yes, it's a 5AM start and from what I learned on my 26 mile run yesterday, I'll be glad for it.

That's right. I ran 26 miles yesterday. I'm tired today, but I felt strong the entire run so I continue to feel very positive about race day.

Team Tegla had a guest with us yesterday and she really inspired me. She ran Honolulu last year so had all sorts of good advice about that particular marathon. We should be prepared for the heat once the sun rises (1/2 way into the race, by my calculation) and should definitely carry our water bottles and run with our walk ratio like we have been in training. Of course I always question that, but one reason she inspired me is because she ran Chicago recently and finished in 3:48 - with the walk ratio - and she's 44! I'm so impressed! So based on her advice, I believe most of Team Tegla will race together and race well.

I can't believe it's so close now. One of my friends is practically packed, she's so excited to go. I'm getting there, but all I can manage at this time is to put one foot in front of the other. Granted, yesterday's run was a big deal and helped me realize I'm that much closer and, ultimately, ready for it. Still, I have three animals to care for, a Thanksgiving to plan, and work to do before I can leave.

But let me tell you, once I get on that plane, I'm leaving it all behind me for six days and enjoying every moment of being free from responsibility. I can't WAIT to PLAY.

And play is just 4 weeks away.

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Mind Games

Last week, sitting on the acupuncture table, I expressed my frustration about my missed maintenance runs to my acupuncturist. She's also a marathoner, and she cocked her head and wondered out loud why I should worry about it. The rest of the conversation went something like this:

Me: What? I HAVE to get my runs in!
Her: Why? Have you missed them before?
Me: Umm . . . (sheepishly) yes.
Her: Did anything bad happen? Did you have a bad long run after or something?
Me: No.
Her: Why then are you worried about it?

She brought up a good point. There was NOTHING in my history of running that should make me think missing some runs would be terrible. Naturally, it's not ideal, but would it lessen any of the progress I've made up to this point? NO.

It was that damn gremlin again making me worry. I was playing mind games.

So then I had to ask myself, why do I run? Sure there are plenty of benefits: it's fun, I can eat whatever I like (to a degree), I stay healthy and strong, I release stress, etc. In the end though, what is it that gets me out the door with my running shoes on?

In trying to answer that question, I found myself browsing Runner's World and back to John Bingham and this article. This man is my running guru!

As part of my final performance project in grad school, I used an ad from NIKE. It said:

A WOMAN IS OFTEN MEASURED BY THE THINGS SHE CANNOT CONTROL.
SHE IS MEASURED BY THE WAY HER BODY CURVES OR DOESN'T CURVE, BY
WHERE SHE IS FLAT OR STRAIGHT OR ROUND.
SHE IS MEASURED BY 36-24-36 AND INCHES AND AGES AND NUMBERS, BY ALL THE OUTSIDE THINGS THAT DON'T EVER ADD UP TO WHO SHE IS ON THE INSIDE.
AND SO IF A WOMAN IS TO BE MEASURED LET HER BE MEASURED BY THE THINGS SHE CAN CONTROL, BY WHO SHE IS AND WHO SHE IS TRYING TO BECOME.
BECAUSE AS EVERY WOMAN KNOWS, MEASUREMENTS ARE ONLY STATISTICS.
AND STATISTICS LIE.

Granted, it's an advertisement (written by a woman, at least), but I did like what it had to say about being measured by who was trying to become. So my guru's comment on potential really rings true with me. I run to realize my potential - as an athlete and as a woman.

Of course, unlike my guru, I don't accept what each day brings as easily as he does. But I'm working on it with the help of my acupuncturist, Team Tegla, and friends. So instead of MIND GAMES I can have an OPEN MIND. And hopefully, like my guru says, my soul will win every time.

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Maintenance Malaise

I'm having trouble this week getting my maintenance runs in . . . and this is a critical time.

It's mostly because of Beatrice. I'm pretty tired caring for her and I have just found out she is ring-worm positive, so her recovery will take even longer than I originally planned. It looks as if she'll be around for another four months or so. SIGH. She's worth it, but she's so demanding of my time.

I have GOT to get out and run.

Of course, the whole daylight savings crap and extended work hours and cold temperatures don't help my enthusiasm. Don't get me wrong, I like cooler weather for running, but when I'm tired and I'm all cozy in my bed early in the morning, I just don't want to put on shorts and get moving.

I have got to get OUT and run.

My housemate leaves on Saturday for a month-long trial in NYC which means I'll have three animals to care for in the final weeks leading up to the marathon as well as juggling my three jobs. Throw the fight choreography for West Side Story and Thanksgiving at my house into the mix and I'm watching the time fly by!

I have got to get out and RUN.

It really is the only way for me to release some stress and deal with all of these things on my plate. You would think I would be better at making time for this. What happened to the evening running group you may ask? Well, one night I'm teaching and the other I am often working an event for my other job. So that's pretty much out for this month. I must get back to my morning routine.

I HAVE GOT TO GET OUT AND RUN!!!

Tomorrow is another day . . .