Carb Loading

Hey kids!  So this is going to be a random post.  As you can see in the name of my blog, that’s kinda how I roll.  So I’m just going to ramble for a bit.

(By the way, that’s whole wheat pasta, peas, sweet potatoes, and feta with a simple olive oil and garlic sauce over spinach.  mmm… I love carbs.)

It’s the day before my half marathon and I could not be more excited.  My training is done.  I’m carb loaded.  I’ve got everything ready.  This is by far the longest distance I’ve ever raced. I’m not that nervous, just anxious. 

I’ve always been a runner.  And have enjoyed it since high school when I risked my life by running on the side of some crazy curvy roads past my house (praying I wouldn’t get hit by the idiot out-of-towners whipping around the corner to get to the camp site past my house). Usually, my running would just consist of a couple miles here and there during my workout.  It didn’t become the main focus until 2009 when my cousin and I decided to go all-out with a 5k in April for our new years resolution.  Only 29 1/2 minutes later and I was hooked.  I wanted to do another one.  Immediately.  I’ve done 6 since last April and improved my time by over 5 1/2 minutes!  (one of my prouder accomplishments)

I also dealt with my fair share of leg issues.  Including a little stint on crutches I’m still not too happy about, undiagnosed leg pain before the Shamrock Shuffle, and some pains that I suspected would turn into shin splints if I wasn’t careful.  Clearly, runners are all crazy.  Yeah, I said it. 

Either way, I persisted and started half marathon training in May.  Partially because I made a stupid bet, partially because I really wanted to do it.  Last year this time, if you asked if I’d consider a half marathon, I would have laughed.  And said, “well maybe I’ll do a 10k or something next year.”  I did two 10k’s in July.  Seems to be that I underestimated myself.

A lot of my friends also don’t get the “sport” of running.  Or how I enjoy it.  I could try to argue it’s all about conditioning and there is actually strategy involved, but there’s no point.  Probably why I enjoy talking about it on here with you fine folks so much…  And so what if they don’t understand?  I finally found something I like to do that is mine and mine alone.  My biggest competitor in running is myself.  And I like the challenge.   Which is another factor in why I’m running 13.1 miles tomorrow.  Because the me from four or five years ago (or even one year ago) didn’t think it was possible.  The me from four or five years ago would have woken up at 6:30 in the morning and said “I’ve only been asleep for three hours?  Damn… I need to get up and take some advil.  I am going to be soooo worthless today.  The boyfriend better take me to a drive thru.” 

Who knew all I needed was a little kick in the butt?

“People can’t understand why a man runs. They don’t see any sport in it. Argue it lacks the sight and thrill of body contact. Yet, the conflict is there, more raw and challenging than any man versus man competition. For in running it is man against himself, the cruelest of opponents. The other runners are not the real enemies. His adversary lies within him, in his ability, with brain and heart to master himself and his emotions.” – Glenn Cunningham

Let me just say on a final note, thank you to all the peeps out there who have been so supportive and helpful as I cried my way through injury, cluelessly started training, and every crappy/good run experience I’ve had.  I appreciate it.  You kids are pretty awesome.   

“There are no tricks. Run because you have to. Run because you love it. Run because you want to be fast. Run because you want to be skinny. Run to find some quiet time. Run to sweat. Run to eat. Run hear your heart pound in your ears. Run because you’re a runner. Run because you gotta keep the streak. Run because you don’t know why the hell you’re running. Run because you fought with your partner. Run because your job is crappy. Run because you got no money. Run for the sunrise. Run for a race. Run because it’s impossible. Run because it’s easy. Run instead of doing the laundry. Run instead of watching TV. Run because no one else understands. Run because the cool kids do it. Run because you’re tired of talking. run for numbers. Run for feel. Run to prove something. Run because it fucking hurts. Or don’t run. If you got something better to do.” – Jeff Edmonds

Enough mushy talk.  I’ve got work to do.  Peace out.

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