Getting Ready

Believe it or not, MARATHON #2 is 48 hours away.  Just like the last marathon, the Barlow household is encompassing the"mom-is-going-crazy-marathon-madness".  I wish I didn't care about this nonsense.  But I do.  I've spent 20 weeks preparing and in 2 short days it will ALL be over (until the next cycle starts....which is the beginning of June).

I still can't believe I'm doing another one.  It didn't seem like that long ago that I was crawling through the last 7 miles of the St George Marathon.  Miserable.  Overheating.  Lead-legs.  Wishing someone would just shoot me and put me in an early grave.  I remember "hitting the wall" and trying to explain to Tim at mile 21 that I just couldn't go another step.  NOT ONE MORE.

But there is something about the spirit of the marathon.  Something that makes you crave more.  Yearn for it.  Think about it constantly.  Smell it (maybe that is just my shoes).  Taste it.  Envision the glory.  But you can only get it after 26.2 miles.

So here I am again.  #1 is a memory and #2 is a vision.  I'm hoping I've learned a few more things this time around.

At the risk of sounding like a dork (hey....I did get an accounting degree), I've compiled a few statistics.  (too all my "elite running friends"...don't laugh at my puny miles)


                            #1 (SGM)                     #2(OM)


Total miles run:    533.01                         649.83 
(20 wk cycle)
          Slow miles:   533.01                         546.09
           Fast Miles:       0.00                         103.74
Average M/Week:     26.65                           32.49
Average Daily (5d):    5.33                             6.50


 Tune Up Races:  3                                    4
                   10K:  1                                     1
                   HM:  2                                     3

Calculating:  TOO MANY TO KEEP TRACK OF
Numerous pairs of running shoes
Immodium AD taken before runs/races
Runs starting before 4:30am
GU's taken
Snot rockets shot
Emotional breakdowns
Hours wearing compression socks
iTunes songs downloaded

#2 picture review

Finishing a 15 miler.

Starting line of the Salt Lake Half Marathon

Track workouts

*MY* hill...I will someday conquer it

Carnage from having ART done.

$300 sitting by my front door

There you have it.  The numbers can't lie.  I'm not sure how the miles will play out on Saturday morning.  But I can promise they will take me on a journey.

I CAN DO HARD THINGS