Marathon Week motivation for your Thursday.

Anne sent me this quote this morning. It’s from a Nike ad, which doesn’t surprise me because Nike running ads rule. And actually, now that I do a little research, I see I’ve posted this on my blog before. I got it from Anne that time, too. Obviously this is a sign. We’re awesome. Duh.

I blew it up, printed it out, and now it’s hanging in my office. I will read it every day. Particularly days like today, when I stayed in bed instead of going out to run in the dark. Because I’m a wimp.

Happy Marathon Week! Now go drink some water…

“You pretended the snooze button didn’t exist. You dragged your butt out of bed while others slept. While others ate their pancakes, you had a feast of protein, glucose and electrolytes. You double-knotted. You left the porch light on and locked the door behind you. You ran. 5ks, 10ks, 26.2 miles. Some days more, some days less. You rewarded a long run with a short run. And a short run with a long run. Rain tried to slow you. Sun tried to microwave you. Snow made you feel like a warrior. You cramped. You bonked. You paid no mind to comfort. On weekends. On holidays. You made excuses to keep going. Questioned yourself. Played mind games. Put your heart before your knees. Listened to your breathing. Sweat sunscreen into your eyes. Worked on your farmer’s tan. You hit the wall. You went through it. You decided to be a man about it. You decided to be a woman about it. Finished what you started. Proved what you were made of. Just kept putting mile after mile on your internal odometer. How much farther will you go? As far as you can.”

Edited: September 30th, 2010

Marathons and rollercoasters and Dexter, oh my.

Five days. The marathon countdown is on. And for once, I am absolutely calm. Twice already I’ve forgotten about it and almost made plans. Until I remembered, “OH. WAIT. I’m running a marathon Sunday.”

Ooops.

It’s a relief to have completely taken the pressure off myself. I have decided I won’t wear my Garmin on Sunday. I don’t want to stare at it. I don’t want to know, and I don’t want to care. I’m partnering up with an amazing friend for the race. Anne‘s one of the most inspiring people I’ve come across in the last year, and together we’re going to start, finish and be proud, even though six months ago we both had big dreams for October 3. What I think we both realized this time around is to finish is to accomplish. And if you see us cross that finish line without smiles on our faces, slap us silly.

So I’m excited. And, really, it’s not often you’ll find  me excited to run 26.2 miles. Ever.

In other news, fall television season is back, which is rather disconcerting because I find all I want to do every day is go home, sit on the couch and catch up on my DVR. It’s really infringing on the time I spend actually being a normal human. Fortunately I don’t give a shit.

I’m also feverishly working my way through the previous seasons of Dexter. I have just one more to go before I can catch up on the recent premiere. My love and infatuation for the serial killer has grown intensely with every single episode. I want one of my own. Brownie points if it’s actually Michael C. Hall.

I spent the day with friends at Six Flags Great America on Sunday. Things I learned: I’m old, I’m delicate, I love funnel cake. In that order. My brain is still recovering from its ride on The Demon, and my heart is still quivering with joy over the funnel cake topped with ice cream, whipped cream and hot fudge. If I ever go back, it’s strictly to eat funnel cake. No lie.

So that’s that. I shall leave you with some photos of my weekend. It was delightful. I mean, look at that funnel cake. Nom. Nom-nom-nom.

Edited: September 29th, 2010

Don’t be that person.

(via www.nataliedee.com)

Edited: September 27th, 2010

The closest you will EVER see this come to a mommy blog.

Dear Harley,

Hi. Meow. Whatever language it is that you speak. Listen. I get it. You apparently have some sort of bellyache. Thought maybe it was irritable bowels, so I bought you new food. Good food. Grain-free. Expensive. You currently eat better and healthier than I do. How do you feel about that?

Uh-huh.

After several weeks, it seems as though this issue of yours has not subsided. I just have to say this: When my belly aches, the first thing I think to do is not shit on the floor. Ever. In fact, and I suppose I should fact-check this with my parents, I have never, not even one time, shit on the floor. In 28 years. Ever.

Stop it. Like, last week.

Love, mama

Edited: September 24th, 2010

This will never NOT be the funniest thing ever in the whole world.

Edited: September 23rd, 2010