Monday, April 02, 2007

Honest Thoughts

Two weeks and counting 'til the Boston Marathon.
I've run far too many laps around the track lately - forever running in circles provokes all sorts of contemplation:

~ why does it take runners 45 minutes to go a half mile from the athlete's village to the starting line?
~ is it improper etiquette to wear a jacket you buy at a race expo if you don't finish the race?
~ i've never not finished a marathon . . . what if?
~ should i go out of my way to buy a smaller foam roller that will fit in my carry on, or should i just get out the bread knife and saw the one i have in half?
~ which old raggety running shirt should i pack to throw off somewhere in Hopkinton?
~ is 4 states enough to drive through in 5 days, or should we try 5 for 5?
~ will there be a sunrise that morning at the Cape, or will it be cloudy?
~ at which mile mark will my ITB start feeling like a rubber band pulled too tight?
~ what will Heartbreak Hill feel like after 49 days of not running any hills?
~ how much memory do i need in my camera for mid-race photo opportunities?
~ will vitamin 'I' get crumbly in my pocket if i don't put it in a ziplock?
~ for my pre-race meal, should i have roasted garlic or spicy chicken wings?

17 comments:

Triseverance said...

You are a regular Jack Handy, with those deep thoughts. :-)

The Salty One said...

Yeah! A new running blog to read!

I just read a couple of posts and suddenly realized--Gingerbread man is a lady! And a lady running Boston no less. Woohoo!

I hope you nip that ITBS in the bud. I've struggled with it for a while and know it S-U-C-K-S big time! I've been able to mostly run through it but I get scary flare-ups every now and then.

Lately, I think I've staved it off by doing, of all things, leg lifts before bed. And I mean the simple laying on your side leg lifts Jane Fonda would advocate. I do them on each side until I feel some serious burn. That's it. I'm all better, or at least I haven't done anything stupid yet--or stupid enough I should say--to reinjure it.

JustRun said...

It's good to know that even seemingly different runners such as you and I have very similar random pre-race thoughts. I say cut the roller in half- that just sounds fun!

Robin said...

I'm LOL at your spicy chicken wings and other serious matters of contemplation. The anticipation is both a fun and mind-twisting time. And I'd say cut the roller in half, you'll want it with you!

Joe said...

> i've never not finished a
> marathon . . . what if?

In the unlikely event that you do not finish, I will still revere you. After all, you qualified for Boston!

Stephanie said...

2 weeks left? woohoo!!!!! I'll be thinking of you!

Sub said...

~ why does it take runners 45 minutes to go a half mile from the athlete's village to the starting line?

It's so crowded, the lanes are so narrow and everyone's so excited :)

~ is it improper etiquette to wear a jacket you buy at a race expo if you don't finish the race?

You will finish for sure!

~ i've never not finished a marathon . . . what if?

You'll finish!!!

~ at which mile mark will my ITB start feeling like a rubber band pulled too tight?

Hopefully, not until you're almost/done. The crowds will pull you though. They're awesome!

~ what will Heartbreak Hill feel like after 49 days of not running any hills?

You'll be fine!

~ will vitamin 'I' get crumbly in my pocket if i don't put it in a ziplock?

Soggy and crumbly...

~ for my pre-race meal, should i have roasted garlic or spicy chicken wings?

You're joking right :)

Good luck at Boston and enjoy the experience - you're so lucky to qualify!

Jack said...

It takes runners 45 minutes to go the half mile to the start because:

a) They stopped to talk to friends along the way.
b) They stood in line at the porta-potti.
c) They are in no hurry to start.
d) All of the above ;-)

Danielle said...

Enjoy the experience and adventure of Boston. Don't worry about the other things! You're so lucky, even if you are going with an injury. Just enjoy the experience...and as for the roller...do you have a stick? I'd go with that, easier to transport!!

Vince A. said...

"Why does it take runners 45 minutes to go a half mile from the athlete's village to the starting line?" ...because it's the best part of that singular day, and for those few minutes there is no place else in the whole wide world you would want to be.

Thanks for temporarily snapping me out of my taper madness.

Anne said...

I think you're going to be pleasantly surprised by not only how well you do but how not so well others perform. It's a real mix of people.

A few days on the Cape will be the perfect reward. If you see the National Cemetery in Bourne, think of me -- that's where I ran part of my long runs.

You're going to do fine, girl.

D said...

What running on a track can do for us! Shoot - I actually miss the track - heck I miss the treadmill. Sad.

You'll be fine. You are strong, you've done this before, and you have the mental strength to get you through.

E said...

Go. Do. Be.

Everything else will fall into place. :-)

Joe said...

> People read your blog
> because it's interesting
> and entertaining.

Thanks Ginger. And right back at you!

Kurt said...

My solution to you is to drink heavily and not worry about it. Remember pre law or pre med it is all the same.

If that doesn't work, blame the hubby for it and eat cheesecake. Your set now!

Rich said...

Roasted Garlic of course, and lots of it!

Unknown said...

I love your blog!

Debating which old race shirt to toss out! I can hardly choose one to wear around the house. Throwing one away would be the end of me...