In a Perfect World.

I would run a 3:30 marathon and qualify for Boston, no biggie.  In the real world, I will be beyond ecstatic if I can manage something even remotely close to a 4:305:00 marathon.  This might even be overly optimistic.  I really have no clue as I have never done this before!  And the heat level keeps going up and up and up… Remember when I said the “perfect” weather forecast in the 10 outlook was a bad sign… well, either I jinxed it or I just know how these things work!  But regardless of my finish time, I still have a few goals for this marathon and here they are:

1) SMILE!  All my race pictures from past races ALWAYS make me look like I am the running dead.  My goal is to at least TRY to look happy within the first few miles when I see the race photographer.  Like an honest to goodness smile.  None of this slight grin thing I normally do.  That just makes me look pissy

2) TRY to not stress out the days before.  I know this is going to be a real challenge.  Maybe even harder than the actual running portion but I need to try to not stress out and let my anxiety get the best of me.  I am in control of how my brain responds and I need to remember this.  Breathe…one…two…three…

3) Be proud of my finish time.  No.Matter.What!  No but…no I coulda… no I wanted to.  Just proud.

My new motto

4) Make sure Sister knows how much I appreciate her agreeing to come along with me to Green Bay and support this ridiculous hobby that I have.  Rain or shine I know she will be there, cheering me on, handing me more water and Clifs and there to remind me that I am going to finish.

5) Enjoy every moment of this race.  From the race packet pickup to the end of the finisher’s chute.  No being overly critical of this that or the other thing.  I tend to always pick out the negative aspects of this whole process but this time I am aiming to only see the positives.

6) Remember as much as I can about this race.  Runners only run one first marathon and this is mine.  I want it to be something I never forget.

7) Remember there is always another race on the horizon so learn what I can from this one if things don’t go as well as I hope.

I have a disease and it’s called running.  It’s highly contagious and once you catch it, it’s really hard to shake it.  And it’s really hard to not want to keep signing up for more and more races to relieve those feelings of accomplishment the finish line brings again and again. (and again and again…….)  Only 9672 hours! (apparently I struggled with math this morning…) WHAT?!?

And if you are not totally tired of marathon speak, head on over to Kimberly’s blog to check out a guest post I did over there today!  She’s another Wisconsinite and her blog has tons of great info!  I especially enjoy all her reviews of books related to heath and diet that she discusses!  (PS, she is also a Beach Body coach!) Thanks Kimberly!

Snow Schmo.

When I was little, I LOVED snow and got terribly depressed when the temps were ever forecast to be above 30 degrees because that meant the snow would start melting in the sun.

Now, snow makes me bitter.  I own a home and am responsible for shoveling a driveway,  I like running outside (and not with my snow treds on my shoes) and I have a 30 minute freeway commute to work (in good weather).  These three items added together equal me now HATEing snow and I would be perfectly happy never seeing it again.

I thought this year was going to be my year.  The year I would not have to see this white power… but alas… it snowed last night.  And I had a gross drive home from work and back to work this morning.  And I had to shovel.  Excellent.  Welcome to Winter in Wisconsin!!

At least snow looks pretty!

In other news, Crosby had a little visit from his friend from California, Flat Kitty.  Since it does not snow much in CA, Crosby thought it would be fun to take Flat Kitty outside for a bit but Flat Kitty did not seem to much appreciate the snow :S I thought maybe these two could put their boots on and come out and help me shovel the driveway but they both just sat there and glared at me… They also both insisted they would be Better Off Barefoot (but probably still would not help me, they would just stop the glaring).

So I had to shovel this whole thing myself… Thanks guys

But oh well… at least shoveling is good exercise?!

Although it would have been nice if I would have remembered to bring my shoveling boots in the house BEFORE the snow fell.  Just saying…

Already excited about the 40 degree temps forecast for Monday!!  Happy Weekend!