Wednesday, November 23, 2011

I hope I outpace the short, fat one...

Oh, I miss blogland. New job = fantastic. New job also = ass kicker. Remember when you took a new job the last time? I had forgotten what it feels like to be face down on the learning curve luge. But I love it. It doesnt make for frequent blog posts but I will get the schedule down. I am enjoying being in NYC more often so I will work on getting the schedule in sync.

And because I apparently didnt feel I had enough to do, 8 weeks ago I registered for my first half-marathon. When is it? Tomorrow am. The good news is I have been training well for it. The less-than-good news is that the furthest I have run in a race is a 10K. Even one of the most dedicated runners we know remarked, "Wow, 13.1 is tough." Thanks for the pep talk, Bobby Knight!

But he is right. Alas. And the race tomorrow is called the Turkey Trot. I can overcome a turkey right? At least I can plan to outpace the short, fat one.

I found some tips for running your first half-marathon. One of the tips said, "Watch a movie about running." Really? This is also what I would call one of the worst tips on running your first half-marathon. The only movies I know that even have running elements are Chariots of Fire, Prefontaine, and the excerpt from Rocky where he runs up the stairs in his grey hoodie and sweatpants. Those are also in a subcategory I like to call "NOT motivating."

Another tip I read, "Try not to think about the distance you are trying to complete." Awesome. Because I can keep telling my legs, "We are just going one more block!" I will try it but I am confident it wont work as well as the thought that at the end of the run, I will have done something I have never done before. And I am fairly certain I will be sipping wine tomorrow afternoon while I parade around in my race t-shirt.

And perhaps I will create my own list of motivational tips for the first time half-marathoners. And perhaps I will put as my #1 tip: Get tips from the many other runners you know in real-world and blogland who have been down this road already!

Sending you and yours a fantastic wish for a great holiday. I hope you are only surrounded by people you like, eating food you like, having conversations you like, about topics you like.  I am thankful for many, many things 12 months of the year. Our gratitude should spread itself far and wide beyond November 24.

Cheers!
JennyMac

20 comments:

Secret Mom Thoughts said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you. Good luck tomorrow.

Unknown said...

Good luck hun.. you can do this.

Cathy Feaster said...

Good luck tomorrow! I'm sure you'll outrun the short fat one ;) I am suppose to be doing my first half marathon in December...so if you do write your own motivational list, I could probably use it, lol. ...I'm also starting a new job in December, but mine is going to leave me with MORE time!! Can't wait :) Happy Thanksgiving to your and your family!!

Chain Stitch Crochet said...

I miss you JennyMac!

There was the Rock and Roll Marathon in Savannah just recently. I'm not a runner but one tip I thought was good was - You've already trained for it, don't stress about it, eat pasta the night before and then rest so you'll be refreshed, rise early and be ready and enjoy!!

Good luck! Happy Turkey Day!

Kristina P. said...

I hope you have an amazing holiday! And come back soon.

Urban Earthworm said...

Good luck on the marathon! As a Marine, I have been forced to run further and faster than I wanted for 10 years now, and I still am completely unwilling to run even a half marathon. Good for you.

And I am right there with you on the new job learning curve blog suffering situation.

Have an excellent Thanksgiving and beyond!

brokenteepee said...

Congratulations as I know you will finish well.

Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy your family time and that wine

Jenn @ Youknow...that Blog? said...

Sending my energy your way for tomorrow (I won't need it, I'm not ever planning to run from anything besides zombies. Probably won't happen.)

Happy Turkey Day to you and yours as well. We had ours in October so no turkey for us again until Xmas.

Can't wait to hear how it went for you!!

*hugs*

Unknown said...

That's it! You called me the short fat one, so now I'm not running in the Turkey Trot, so there!

vanilla said...

Put the "one more block" out of your consciousness and think "This step and one more step." Good luck, Happy Thanksgiving.

So. Cal. Gal said...

Of course you can outpace me. ; )

Good luck!

the walking man said...

This here turkey don't trot, but true nuff on that last line.

Mrs. Tuna said...

I will not share with you that when my daughter ran in marathon last year her toe nails fell off.

AiringMyLaundry said...

Good luck!!

I hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving!

K A B L O O E Y said...

How did you do?? Congrats! And on the new job too. Maybe I can buy you a cocktail in NYC (after the holiday craaaaaziness abates.)

JennyMac said...

Secret Mom and Angel: Thank you! It was awesome.

JennyMac said...

@caty: I will make a list but doubt it will help anyone! LOL

JennyMac said...

@LickLick: I did have a little pasta, a little protein and a glass of red wine the night before. :)

JennyMac said...

@KP: thank you doll! I did and will be posting twice this week. :)

JennyMac said...

Colleen: with all that background, you surely know more about training than me. And wishing you luck on your new endeavor too!