Jordyn's teacher.....

started asking me about my training. Asked how it was going and if I was enjoying it....and then asked ....."so have you lost any weight with all this training?".......LMAO!....to which I responded "one would think so wouldn't one?"......so lets think about this.....I've heard that you burn 100 calories for every mile you run (some say it's even more than that) so lets assume for the sake of argument that this is correct.....which means that for instance when I ran my 20 miler a couple weeks ago I theoretically should have burned 2000 calories....how does a person burn 2000 calories in one day and NOT lose weight??? I mean NOT EVEN A POUND????!!!!!! Take a week at a glance....on average in the last couple months I've been logging in between 25 and 35 miles...so how many calories must I have ingested in that time to not even lose ONE POUND!!! HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE!!!??????????

OMG!

I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! 5 days!!! I've been praying for 60 and sunny on Sunday and as of this morning the extended forecast is calling for 72 and sunny.....I'll take it! Did 3 miles on the treadmill today. Felt great! Started decorating my TNT shirt today. Put my name in neon yellow on the front....which my daughter of course felt compelled to stick her fingers in before it dried so the neon yellow "y" from my name is smeared....I've been told that if you put your name on your shirt people from the sidelines will shout out encouragement. ....Printed and laminated my "in memory of" page for the back of my shirt....still have to have the kids put their handprints on it.

Diane told me today that she hopes to meet me somewhere near the end to run the last couple miles with me....I just love you Diane.....she made me a little teary eyed when she told me that....I'll probably be a blubbering idiot at that point...with each passing day I get more and more teary eyed everytime I even THINK of the finish...so I can't imagine the mess I'll be when I actually get there....It's been an emotional journey for me.....certainly "cheaper than therapy".

I'm ready!

Today was our last long training run before the big day and it felt great. 8 miles in 1:25....that's a 10:37 mile average! I felt wonderful! It was cold as hell (started in 37 degrees) but I went on a little winter run shopping spree recently and loaded up on warm gear.....I was toasty warm by mile 2! I'm READY! It amazes me that 8 miles feels like nothing now. I feel no soreness at all. 16 weeks ago I ran my first 8 mile run and it seemed so daunting to me....I was ridiculously sore afterward and now it's just a piece of cake....heehee....who'da thought!??? This weeks challenge will be keeping myself healthy. I think I just may quarantine myself in my house to keep away from the cooties. I'm going to become a neurotic germophobe for the next week!

For anyone who's actually following this blog and interested.....on race day you can track my progress through the marathon as I'm running. Apparently they give me some sort of a GPS chip to attach to my shoe that tracks my run and you can log onto the Detroit Free Press Marathon web site while the marathon is actually taking place and find out where I'm at. You can go to this site http://www.detroitmarathon.com/events--races/marathon.html
and find the "track runner"...... or something like that.....type in my name and they will tell you where I'm at and my time at specific splits in the race. Kinda neat.

11 days & counting

Sucked it up on the treadmill for 6 miles. Listened to Middle Sex audio book down loaded on my ipod. I'll have to relisten to the part I was supposed to be listening to.....ugh.....not sure what it is about the gym that makes me unable to focus....but I keep trying....maybe it's a learned skill that will take time. But I CAN say that today was a little more tolerable than the past treadmill days and I think it's because I tried to push myself....for instance, I did a couple 1/4 mile sprints at a 9 minute mile pace and a couple 1/4 mile incline segments....it was tough but seemed to make the time go by a little quicker by breaking in up. I felt really good today. But got a little nervous when I walked for a cool down because I was getting those really bad heart palpitations again.

At the risk of sounding morbid......I noticed today's date.....I'm reminded of what inspired me to do this to begin with. Tomorrow, Oct 11th, marks the 30 year anniversary of the end of my Dad's battle with Leukemia.

I've officially decided on Chicago next year!

Ran an easy and very enjoyable 3 miles this morning....no gps and no water bottle strapped to my butt. Just me and my ipod! I'm very happy to be over the hump of training and now the runs are enjoyable again....I have to admit that I was getting a smidge burnt out these last few weeks. Now I'm getting excited. I'm almost there. My easing off the last week really helped my sore ankle and heal. They're almost completely better.

So it's official....I haven't even completed my 1st marathon and have already decided on next years' marathon....Chicago. I'm going to try a new marathon in a new state each year.....that's my goal......for as long as my body will allow me.....or until it stops being enjoyable. This has been a life changing adventure for me and I plan on repeating it over and over again. Obviously this isn't for everyone. There are a few in our group who say "NEVER AGAIN!". But at least they gave it their best shot and TRIED! I respect that! Even through all my complaints and struggles I've enjoyed every aspect of this. & I've somehow been lucky enough to avoid any major physical injuries to hold me back....I'm sure that won't always be the case and I'm sure I should be knocking on wood since the marathon is still 2 weeks away....I probably just jinxed myself! I haven't even lost a single toenail yet!! YEAY! I'm not sure I with my toe fetish could have handled a blow like that!

Chicago marathon

My friend Diane ran the Chicago marathon today and TMed me that it was "absolutely the worst experience of her life". Her husband said that it was the hottest Chicago marathon they've had in over 30 years. Apparently 4 hours after the start of the race they actually closed the route and stopped the marathon because of the heat. Most continued on but were forced to walk it....she said you couldn't run if you wanted to at that point because of the number of people. Found this news article on line....1 person actually died.

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/420/story/160897.html

She finished it anyway.....Diane, you are my hero!

2 weeks left!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

14 miles in 2 hours 40 minutes (11:29 mile average). Wasn't the best run I've ever had but what did I expect after a week of slacking. Only did the 2 days of elliptical....Tues and Wed....my body needed the rest so I don't feel guilty in the least...I may regret it come marathon day but right now in the moment I'm glad I took the 6 days off.

Came home today to blissfully relax and calmly read a chapter in my book and reflect on my 160 minutes of solitude while in a tub full of ICE WATER......NOT!!!!!!!!!....... My legs feel great but now my back and jaw aches from the intense shivers that ran through my spine and teeth for 20 minutes!!!! Cured one ache only to acquire a new one! I'll be thankful in the morning.....I guess.

I would also like to add that my wonderful neighbors...Scott and Ilene Sipp just gave me a donation of $50 but for some reason I can't log into my account to "manage offline donations" and add their name to the list....I wanted to give them credit but couldn't....it may be because we're so close to the marathon...not sure. So their name isn't on my TNT donation page .....I tried. Thank you!