10 December 2005

Just one more post today.

I can't take a nap because then I won't sleep tonight so I have to keep myself busy.

We went to the marathon expo and guess who we saw there??







Evangaline Lilly, Kate from Lost. That's one of my favorite shows but the line to see her was way too long so I just took a photo.









Then I picked up my packet:







My blurry championchip..












And my race number.











It's official, I'm doing a marathon. I was ruminating today on how these things; marathons, ironman, whatever; take on a life of their own and become all encompassing. For the last 2 weeks or so, and definetly for the last week, this is all I've thought about. What to wear, what to eat, when I'm going to do what, how will I do it. God, I'll be glad when this is over tomorrow!! These events become these watershed moments in your life. I found myself saying a number of times today, "Well, once the marathon is over...." like my life was going to change somehow. Oh well, what can I say, I'm a very deep thinker (NOT!!! ; )

I believe I am ready for tomorrow. I have my chip on my shoe, my number on my shirt, my iPod loaded, my drinks ready, my nutrition ready, I really can't think of anything else. I guess I'd better go walk the dogs because I don't think they'll be getting a walk tomorrow. Oh yeah, I'm trying to determine if it's feasible to bring my Palm since I don't have a camera phone. I can take pictures with that if I can figure out a way to carry it.

For the rest of the night; I'm going to take life like this guy:






Just kick back and relax.

T minus 1

Oh yeah, I'm nervous!!!! I ate a good pasta dinner last night and was in bed at a reasonable hour. I managed to sleep in (well, sleep in for me) and am feeling good so far, but I am really nervous.

I've got tons of crap running through my head of things I have to do today, I just know I'm going to forget some. If I was a more organized type person I'd make a list, but that would eliminate lots of stress and take away all the fun :)

I still haven't decided what I'm going to wear. I know what shorts I'm on the fence about the top. One is a Brooks DriFit that I like but I'm just a scoch uncomfortable in but the other is a tank top and the sun will be a factor tomorrow. Of course I will use sunscreen but hours of sweating may wear it off. Oh, decisions, decisions!!! Wait, I know how to decide!!! Which one will look better in the picture???? Okay, fashion show later.

I have lots to write but I can't sit still right now. I'm going to go walk the dogs and head off to get my errands done. I'll write more later when my thoughts are more coherent!!!!


EDIT: My profile is back up at the top. I knew it was a post I just couldn't figure out which one and/or how to fix it. I figured that once it moved off the front page normality would return and I was right.

08 December 2005

Back to our regularly scheduled ramblings.....

Okay, it's 3 days and I'm starting to get excited. That guy on the left is the logo of the Honolulu Marathon. He's called the King's Runner and every year there is someone who runs the marathon dressed liked that. It's fun to run behind him ;).

Last night the group went out to dinner as it was our last time together and we had such fun. This was a really great group to train with and we are already planning our next adventure. The Volcano Wilderness run is run on the big island of Hawaii and it goes through the volcano. You actually run in the caldera of the volcano; how cool is that? It's know as the world toughest marathon because the lava fields are like running over glass. If you fall it will cut you bad. So that's what we are looking at. A group of us girls (sans husbands) will rent a cabin and spend the weekend - it sounds like fun.

So I'm getting really excited; still nervous, but really excited. This morning when I was walking the dogs I saw a film crew filming the sunrise in the park next to my house. I asked what they were doing and they said it was for the Honolulu Marathon DVD. Then I saw folks taking photos along the roads (they had big ole honking cameras so I know they weren't tourists) who I figure were taking "background" shots. I can't wait for Saturday when I get to go to the expo. It's all too exciting.

Okay, I'm tired so I'm off to work so I can get done and go home.

07 December 2005

Caution: Extremely Conservative Views ahead!!!

The local news this morning is all about the attack on Pearl Harbor. Everyday on my commute I see the Arizona Memorial and I think everyday about what happened there. When you really think about it, 9/11 was not our first terrorist attack. The Japanese were really the first suicide bombers. They flew those planes in fully intending to die and not make it back alive. I understand that the few who actually did return lived in great shame because they did not die for their country. I, quite honestly, do not understand the mindset that would make you want to kill yourself for your country, religion, whatever... In some ways I can understand dyeing for your country but only in the event of defending it. The Japanese were not defending their country against the US, we hadn't entered the war yet. I can not imagine hating someone for what they believe or for the fact that they don't think the same way you do. Make no mistake, I tend to think I'm right almost always (okay, always) but I don't hate people who disagree with me. I enjoy nothing more than a good debate with someone who has a different point of view than me. I don't understand kamikaze pilots or suicide bombers. I've had people say that muslim extremists believe that this life is not it and they will get a reward in the next life. I kind of believe that too. But I believe that we have to make this world a better place and be the best person we can while we are here. Somehow killing hundreds of innocent people doesn't strike me as making the world a better place. (My spellchecker wants me to capitalize muslim but I refuse too when used in that context). Didn't mean to get so deep but there are times when this is what I think about. It also blows me away when I hear people say we should try to understand these people; WHAT!!! They don't want to understand us, they want us gone. Yet, we are supposed to take the time to try and understand them! I don't think so!!!!! I really, honestly believe that these people hate us because they are jealous of us. Face it, even with all it's problems this is the greatest country on earth (no offense to my Canadian friends, Canada is wonderful too :). Would you rather live in a 3rd world country with no running water and electricity or would you rather live here where everything you want is easily within your grasp. Would you want to live in a place where you have no hope of improving you station in life and are basically stuck with the same life your parents had, and their parents had, and their parents had. Or would you rather live in a place where your station in life is pretty much your choice? I know, lots of people say that's not true even in this country, but I say - you're wrong!! If you're willing to work hard and make some sacrifices you can achieve any kind of success you want in this country (my god, just look at all the eBay millionaires). Alright, enough!!!! I did not mean to get all caught up in this but, although I consider myself very smart, there are things I don't understand and there are views I just don't get and I do believe that lots of those veiws are held by people who don't have some critical thinking skills. Not to say they are stupid, they just can't look at things critically and only look through emotions. Seriously, that's enough.

Tonight is the final meeting of the Windward Marathon Training Group. Only 4 days until the race. We are doing a very short 40 minute run and then going to an Italian restaurant for dinner. This will be fun. We have to coordinate all the marathon morning logistics. We are going to carpool to Honolulu so we need to meet like at 3:30 a.m. to get to our marathon group meeting place by 4:15 a.m. so we can stretch and walk over to the start line by 5:00 a.m. Saturday I'm going to the Expo for packet pick-up and buying cool stuff :) I was reading the stuff last night and they leave the start mats down for 20 minutes. Thinking back to my first marathon in 2001, I wonder if that's long enough??? Of course, the people at the back back of the pack probably don't really care about the time. Well, even though there is not much to do, I really should get to work.

It was 64 years ago today


that the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

06 December 2005

Couple of things on my mind today...

Last night I went to marathon training and just walked for about an hour. When it was over I was a little concerned. My legs ached! I mean really ached!! Like they didn't ache after my 1/2 marathon!! What is up with that?? I have not run or walked in 10 days due to my cold. I decided to walk last night as a way to ease myself back in. I did not expect my legs to ache that way. Also, my hip hurt. That's not that unusual but it still hurt this morning. Ugh!!! I'm now officially concerned. I don't know if I'll be able to do the marathon on Sunday. Wednesday we are meeting for a short 40 minute run and then off to a group dinner. I'm going to run on Wed. and see how that goes. Other than that and getting lots of rest and good nutrition and hydration, there's really nothing more I can do..I'm trying very hard not to freak out (again!!)......

I've been toying with the idea of getting a bike trainer. I have a treadmill and an eliptical machine, a bike trainer would really complete my gym and I could train indoors when I can't get out. So, I'm thinking about doing this. While I'm cruising the blogs this morning I'm reading about the temps all over the country and really beginning to feel like a wimp. Some places it's -18, Oh My God, that's freaking cold!!!!! Then there are people who are out training at 4 a.m. in below zero weather!!! So when I'm thinking of buying the trainer so I don't have to go outside, boy do I feel wussy!!!!! I do feel the need to justify myself just a little. I live on a major 2-lane highway in a rural area (it's the only road out this way). There are no sidewalks, and not much shoulder to speak of. At the best of times it's dangerous. Now, when the only time I can get out there during the week is when it's dark, it's downright sucidal. Also, the winter here in Hawaii is very, very rainy. Plus, I live on the windward side which is much wetter than the Honolulu side. So on the weekends when I could go outside it's either raining or really, really windy (like 20-25 mph is typical). So as you can see it's a safety issue not a weather issue (yeah, right!!! 60 degrees is bloody cold!!!).

Well, I should go get some work done. I do not feel like working but I have to get this stuff done!!!!!

05 December 2005

Sometimes you just have to fake it!!!

I have now been sick for 9 days and I have decided that is enough. I have 6 days till the marathon and I have got to back on track. So, after resting all weekend and feeling pretty darn good this morning, I've decided to pretend that I'm fine. (I actually am fine except my sinuses are a little stuffy, that's all). I'm going to my marathon group tonight and will probably end up just walking but that's fine; basically I have to get my rather large butt off the couch!!! So - I'm just fine!!!
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I keep up on the blogs I read through bloglines; it's slow and annoying but it beats the hell out of checking each blog each day. I've tried to use the Google one but for some reason I can't get it to work; no doubt it's me, I just haven't had time to focus on it for more than .3 seconds. Anyway, I keep adding new blogs to my list and this morning I finally got caught up on reading all the blogs. I may have to consider culling my list or quit my job and just read blogs all day.
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I am basically bored to tears!!! I spent all weekend being lazy and resting, trying to shake this cold, and now I feel like I want to crawl out of my skin. I think marathon group tonight will be good!!!!
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Okay, back to work. In 17 days I leave on vacation and I have tons to get done before that!!!!


Apparently I live in Tempe, AZ now. Maybe that's why it took me so long to get to work this morning :)

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