Life Past 30

I just knew this would happen.  While training in previous months, the thought of getting sick or not being well enough for training was always hanging in the back of my mind.  I would push it out for a while, but it kept coming back.  The thought of not being able to train actually scared me for a while, until I learned to deal with it.

Planning for sickness moved to the top of my list of things to do, but I was caught by surprise a couple of days ago when one of the most terrible headaches showed up and interrupted my training schedule.  It started Monday, ebbed a little, reared its ugly head again yesterday and ebbed again with the help of Tylenol.  It showed up again this morning and was worse than it was Monday, but 800mg of Motrin helped quell the chaos it was creating inside my head.

My tolerance for pain is pretty high, I’ve had a knee surgery and suffered a few bumps and bruises.  I cannot, however, tolerate headaches that interfere with my daily activities and the headaches I’ve had since Monday have done just that.  This morning’s headache even made me sensitive to the lights in my office.  I felt like going back home and crawling into bed.  I’m upset that I haven’t been able to run since Monday, but since I feel better now, I think I’ll take a chance and run in the morning.

Of all the times to get sick, this is the worst.  I would rather be sick after the marathon because I need all the preparation I can get, especially since it’s my first.  I’ll be glad when the headaches are gone for good and I can get back to my routine.

October 26 is getting so close, I can taste it.  When I set out to run the Marine Corps Marathon, this date seemed so far away.  Now, it’s a little more than 30 days away and I’m feeling anxious.  I’m going to run 7 miles today and few short runs this week so as not to overstress my muscles.  My nutrition is a lot better than it used to be with vegetables, lots of protein and carbs, and other much needed vitamins and minerals playing a large role in my training.  

In the past few months, I’ve found myself being more concerned with what I eat.  My choices have been made mostly for my marathon training, but also for long term practice.  Just a few years ago, I didn’t eat vegetables, took a daily multi-vitamin, and called it a day.  Since 2004, I haven’t been able to stop eating my favorite veggies and I feel better because of it.  When I started training, I began consuming even more vegetables, fish, seafood, pasta, and eggs to fuel my muscles and speed up the recovery time. 

Speaking of recovery, a few weeks ago I ran a long run that felt great while I was running, but I suffered severely sore muscles during the two days that followed.  That was when a friend gave me some valuable advice in the form of a bottle of Coca-Cola.  I don’t drink sodas, I stopped 8 years ago, but my friend told me the acid content in Coke would help to break down the lactic acid build-up.  Willing to try anything to ease the excruciating pain I was in, I bought a can of Coke and drank it up after eating a banana.  It worked so well within a few hours that I’ve made it an official part of my recovery regimen.  I feel I may need a couple of cans after the marathon. 

The marathon inches closer as my excitement builds.  I don’t know what to expect, although I will do my best and concentrate on finishing the race.  As long as I maintain a nice steady pace, I think I’ll be fine.  Running the marathon will be the biggest and most important thing I’ve done outside of giving birth to my daughter and I’m happy to do it. 

There will be pain, but it will be welcomed. 

A couple of weeks ago, while training for the Marine Corps Marathon, I tripped and fell on a slab of raised sidewalk.  I didn’t see it coming, it happened so fast!  One second, I was running at a nice pace, the next I was fighting to keep my balance and not knock any teeth out on the unavoidable fall.  When I hit the ground, I caught myself with my right knee and both hands.  All I suffered, luckily, was a minor scrape on the fatty area of my right palm.  I was shocked and embarrassed because it happened by a red light where a long line of cars were waiting. 

Of course I got up quickly, but by that time, the damage had already been done and I couldn’t take it back.  I felt like I was 8 years old again, quickly trying to regain my composure.  It was a good thing the sun hadn’t completely come up yet or every one of those drivers would have seen just how embarrassed I was.  I have a sneaking feeling that at least one person laughed at me, but that’s okay. 

I ultimately completed that morning’s run as the embarrassment of the “spill” ebbed.  Throughout the run, I kept asking myself how I managed to let myself fall but couldn’t come up with an answer.  When I got back home, I had a banana, hopped on the computer and blogged about it.  Then I got ready for work and began my day.

If you ever find yourself in this situation, don’t beat yourself up too much because it will only make it worse.  Instead, get up and continue with what you were doing before.  You’ll feel better. 

One day last week, I was washing my face and while looking in the mirror, a thought hit me. I’ll be 33 in 6 months! To be honest, the number 33 doesn’t quite feel right falling out of my mouth, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it soon after reaching it.

I started this blog shortly after I turned 30 because I wanted to record the changes in my physical, mental, and emotional states during this “infamous” decade and so far, I’m happy with the way things have been going. I did notice some changes after turning 30, but I’m beginning to experience some new ones. I’m thinking more about the future and becoming more concerned with the little things in life. Am I becoming “settled”? I hope not!

Being a naturally hyper person who always has 20 things going on at once, including the marathon, I’ve never been attracted to being “settled” with anything. I’m one of those people who needs 28 hours in a day because 24 just isn’t cutting it. Now, I just have to devise a plan that will allow me to continue at hyper-speed and still take each day as it comes. ‘Til then, I’ll just continue doing what I’ve been doing and patiently wait for 33 to come…or not!

Flameminx

While browsing the Prevention website, I came across this article. It caught my eye because all my training for the marathon is done in the city. This article only reiterates my existing concerns about the pollution I’m exposing myself to when I’m running. Fortunately, I choose to run mostly in the morning before getting ready for work and that’s between the hours of 5AM - 630AM and evening runs in the park.

Flameminx