My mind has been in a frenzy pretty much all week. I feel like a mental patient, having drastically darting thoughts from one moment to the next:
“I’m going to rock this marathon! I’m so ready!”
10 seconds later…
“My left foot hurts, my right hammy was weird on that last run, I’m not sure if I can do this.”
If you’re a runner then you know this thought pattern in the days and weeks leading up to a big race.
While ripping off my last speed session at the track on Wednesday (4 x 800 @ 3:10) it occurred to me that I need to pull from many different personality traits to become one bad ass mother runner on Sunday.
I thought, “if only I had…”
The Ego Of Kayne West – What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of this guy? Well besides that you potty mouth. How about ego! The best (or worst) part is that it’s totally misplaced. He’s rude, disrespectful, and based on his last few songs/performances, losing talent in buckets. These things seem to not matter one bit to him and he continues to live like he owns, not just one of the Kardashians, but the universe itself. Wherever he is right now, I’m sure he thinks he could run a marathon with almost no training.
I would use his ego for good, for just 3 hours or so…
I decided this belongs to someone else because that’s the kind of a-hole I am.
The Energy of the Twins – My children never, ever stop moving. Their gym teacher, who has 600 kids under her tutelage, told me they are in the top 10 “most active” kids in the school. This was not a compliment.
How many laps around the track? Oh we can do MORE…and carry stuffed animals while we’re at it!
The Memory of an NFL Quarterback – For those of you not familiar with football, I’m truly sorry. What I mean by this analogy is that quarterbacks, even very good ones, can throw a lot of interceptions and still win the game.
One of the best QB’s to ever play the game, Brett Favre, had an arm like a god. He played to win and, in doing so, missed his mark quite a bit. Ok, a lot. When you’re down in a game and throwing like crap on one play, you have to forget about it immediately and move to the next play. Favre was a master at this. I was always in awe how he wouldn’t let interceptions get to him and instead just get back out there and keep throwing bombs!
In racing, when inevitably you feel like crap or run a few slower miles, you need to just acknowledge it and move on. You can still win the race.
Short term memory = long term gains.
…or if you’re running a marathon and your last two splits were slow as hell just shake it off and pick up the pace!
The Stomachs of The Walking Dead Cast – Have you seen zombie guts? How about someone eating zombie guts? How about smashing a zombie’s head with an axe and then smearing their zombie guts all over yourself? This is just what happens in the first 10 minutes of season one. I mean of course it’s all fake but seriously? Sometimes I can’t watch. I haven’t a clue how the actors on the show can (literally) stomach it day after day, no matter how fake it is.
I get the same queasy stomach in the later miles of the marathon as I do watching this show. At mile 20, when I just can’t bear to eat one more GU or drink one more sip of sugary Gatorade, I must channel my inner Rick Grimes and just deal with it!
I hope you’re not eating right now.
If I can do all of these things on race day, it will be one hell of a ride!
I’m not sure what will happen on Sunday but I’ll definitely post the good, bad and ugly on Instagram, FB or Twitter. And, depending on my legs, I may or may not have a post up on Monday. Yes, my legs affect my fingers and brain.
My bib number is 556 and we go off at 7:30am!
Here goes nothing…
If you could channel a trait from someone what and who would you choose?
Give me some good mantras for Sunday!
All of the best to you on Sunday Allie! I am rooting for you!! One of my mantras is “I am doing this” for me it always brings me back into the moment instead of letting my brain wander. Man, just hearing you chat about Ye makes me a little sad because he was so amazing when he started–raw amazing talent. I wish I had the memory of a football player too, whoa, sometimes they take a licking and keep on tickin to win the game!!!
You are so great. Your training was on point. And we will understand if there is no post on Monday but I have a feeling there will be! 🙂 will be following along and stalking you on SM!!!
I was thinking of you when writing about Kayne because I know you WANT to love and root for him. It’s sad, but at least I can use a part of him for good 🙂
Thanks for everything Nellie and I will certainly be channeling a little YOU out there you PR dominating runner girl!!!
Wishing you tons of luck on Sunday, but know you are going to totally kick butt! Can’t to hear all about it now 😉
Thanks so much Janine!!!
Good luck this weekend and I know you’ll do well.
Thanks Hollie! I’ll be thinking of you out there and trying to be as swift on my feet!!
To my favorite coach, amazing friend and mentor – ‘Never say never because limits, like fears are often, just an illusion’ – (Michael Jordan) Mantra: ‘Don’t let fear limit your finish’
Allie you will succeed on race day, because you trained for this and that will be proof once you reach your 26.2 miles – anything that gets in the your head before or during your race..is just an illusion! #MiyagiStrong xo
Great, now I’m crying. You are so awesome. THANK YOU!!!! The student has become the teacher! xoxo
I would say “good luck” but know you don’t need it, hehe :). Have an awesome time and you will do great!
Thank you!! I truly want to enjoy the scenery, crowds and other runners. Here’s hoping it’s a great day for all!!
Wishing you all the best on race day, Allie! You’ve earned this. Rock it!
And kudos for capturing the essence of race day for all of us. Be safe and have fun!
Thank you so much!! I’ll do my best…
GOOD LUCK!!!! I know you will do great. Kanye is ridiculous but sometimes I wish I had just a fraction of his ego to boost my self confidence!
I know, right? He was the FIRST person I thought of when I needed to “borrow” and ego 🙂 Thank you Britt!
You’re going to rock it!! Kanye said so.
HAHAHA!!! YES! Thanks Danielle 🙂 I have no clue how you run these all the time. My nerves are shot!
It’s all mental….channel your inner fierce Beyonce and go for it! Looking forward to the recap!
YES!!! Thank you and I will – who run the world? GIRLS!
Allie- You will dominate the race! I am so excited for you and loved your comparisons. Now I want to make a shirt that says “Run Like Kanye!”. 😉 love to you speed demon!!
P.S.- my middle is also one if the most active at her school. Apple doesn’t fall far 😉
Thank you so much Erin!! And I totally want to make those shirts!!!
The boys gym teacher takes my spin classes so it wasn’t shocking to her that they are full of energy 🙂 xo
Wishing you swift and happy and super fast miles on Sunday!!! You are going to rock it. I have no doubt. I’m so excited for you!! And love love love this post. Yes, I wish that I had a little bit of everything listed above!
You’ve got this, Allie! Sending you lots of good vibes for Sunday. Run like the wind!
Whooo hooo! Can’t wait to hear how it goes. I heard a Kanye West song on the radio and had to change the station, he really makes me throw up in my mouth a little. I have never watched the Walking Dead and you just solidified that I will never watch it, lol 🙂 Good luck this weekend! Can I track you??
That analogy to The Walking Dead made me laugh, because I think the same thing!
Related (or unrelated): I would never survive a zombie apocalypse.
I’m not a Kanye fan either ; however I liked his words of encouragement for Bruce Jenner ; ‘ all of this means nothing if I can’t be myself’
Sending you good luck from Texas ( and everything is bigger here:)
I’m so behind – I hope that your race was awesome!!! I thought about you this morning but haven’t been on any social media this weekend. Can’t wait to read your recap!!
This post is nothing less than awesome! So, how did it go? I want to hear all about it!
LIVED VICARIOUSLY.
YOU YOU YOU ROCKED IT ALL.
Great analogy! You are right on all counts! I’m heading over now to read the results!