Taper and Mental Preparation...

Hello World!

The JFK 50 countdown: 2 days! I'm still excited about the new adventure and the soda at the aid stations. I know that this sounds bizarre because one, I don't drink soda and two, soda seems like a non-nutritious, non-stomach-settling idea. But that is the beauty of it for me... Instead of -- as I do in marathons -- slowing down slightly during the stations, hoping to grab a cup of water/gatorade from a volunteer (it is harder than it seems), pouring half the liquid out, squeezing the cup to create a funnel, and hoping that most of it makes it in my mouth without running down my chin and creating an annoying, sticky mess, I'm going to WALK and maybe even STOP at the aid station. Perhaps chat a bit. Beautiful. And I'm going to take my camera too...

I'm reading the national best seller Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. Amazing read even if you're not a runner! I'm going to quote below word for word -- and I hope this disclaimer saves me from any legal problems :) -- two paragraphs that explain better than I ever could, the joys of running and breaking through. It could translate into any sport, really. It is my hope that everyone can feel this way...


From page 69

But yeah, Ann insisted, running was romantic; and no, of course her friends didn't get it because they'd never broken through. For them, running was a miserable two miles motivated solely by size 6 jeans: get on the scale, get depressed, get your headphones on, and get it over with. But you can't muscle through a five-hour run that way; you have to relax into it, like easing your body into a hot bath, until it no longer resists the shock and begins to enjoy it.

Relax enough, and your body becomes so familiar with the cradle-rocking rhythm that you almost forget you're moving. And once you break through to that soft, half-levitating flow, that's when the moonlight and champagne show up: "You have to be in tune with your body, and know when you can push it and when to back off;" Ann would explain. You have to listen closely to the sound of your own breathing; be aware of how much sweat is beading on your back; make sure to treat yourself to cool water and a salty snack and ask yourself, honestly and often, exactly how you feel. What could be more sensual than paying exquisite attention to your own body: Sensual counted as romantic, right?


Ok, so if I were the author I probably wouldn't have used the word sensual. That seems like a little too much but, the above paragraphs 'get it.' The author 'gets it,' Ann the runner obviously 'gets it' and it is what I'm getting closer to...

Cheers and it is a beautiful day for a run. Even though I didn't, hence the pool shot... the taper thing, you know.

RunningBrooke