To DO's and To DON'Ts

The recent bulletin board post traffic has inspired me to re-post this….  So here it is – pretty much a cut and paste job, with a few changes. 

ENJOY!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
teammates - 7 days from today we’ll be off and running, for real.  i, as a 15 year vet, want to impart some wisdom (baaahaaahaaa) on what to do and but probably more important what NOT to do during these last few days before your 26.2 mile jaunt from Hopkinton to Boston.  although i attempt to be funny - everything below is taken from personal experience.
they are in no particular order, so here goes....

ladies, if you haven't gotten a pedicure, go NOW and go DARK, do not wait another day. if you're thinking "it can wait 'till after" think again. trust me, you will not want anyone touching those tootsies the week after. not to mention, you don't want to see what’s going on under that polish nor does the person who has to go to work on them - there's no tip large enough to put another human through that.

unfortunately, most of us have 5 days of (unproductive) work this week. don’t iron your pants while they are on your body. i know i know you’ve been running and your quads are rock hard but seriously, risking 3rd degree burns is just stupid.

drink water - pretty obvious, right? but here's the deal, if you aren't in the habit of drinking a lot of H2O, pounding it sunday afternoon will shock your system - BAD news!

don't over carb early in the week, not only is it unnecessary, it'll just make you feel like crap.

continuing that same idea, don't do anything drastically different to your diet or supplement intake. Like taking iron pills or going vegan.  that said, you might want to stay away from the fried food, excess sugar and big macs.

cool the boozin' monday, tuesday, wednesday, friday&saturday. sunday night on the other hand, you may need a glass of wine to help you sleep. HA! you could drink the whole bottle, you're still not going to be able to sleep.

get a rub - massage works wonders.  use it in lieu of a workout especially early in the week.  It will rock the muscles and help to relax you for sure. just one thought - if you're thinking you could really use a good hard one, i mean who couldn't, go before Wednesday or Thursday the latest, because if it's any good - you'll be feeling it the next day.

don't go food shopping in flip flops – seems obvious but if your grocery store is next to your pedicurist it is realistic and you can't control someone else carriage and it could roll over your toes (wrecking your pedicure among other things).

this week rid your world of people who suck - i mean it. surround yourself with people who will pump you up, help calm you down, and who make you feel as great as you are – because you are.

if you haven't already, start a journal - not a blog - a personal journal for you and you alone. it'll allow you to look back and laugh at how freakin' nervous, excited, anxious, etc. you were. you can't get these feeling and emotions back but writing them down will allow you to visit them whenever you want.

go for a good, hard 10 mile woodland-crossroads run on thursday - KIDDING.... just wanted to see if you were paying attention.

pack today – yes today.  this week will go by so fast, trust me and you don’t want to leave it – marathon day packing – until the weekend because the weekend is chaos and you won’t be able to think straight.  start slowly with things you already have like your singlet, shoes, socks, shorts, gender specific undergarments, etc.  then add the things you pick up over the weekend, bib number & DFMC bracelet, (I feel like I’m missing something – good thing I have 6 days to figure it out) and last throw in the add-ons – things that are not necessarily critical but items you’d be pissed and tormented about if you forgot them, watch, GU, trinkets, post-race comfy clothes & flip flops, etc. 

listen to the JACKISM's - less is more - the hay's in the barn - the pennies are in the bank! if you do not run another step between now and the 15th, you're going to be fine. the objective is to "roll up to the starting line {insert jack hands here} feeling loose."

take a trip to the JFC if you can, there a lot of kids there you won't see at mile 25. if you need any inspiration at all you will certainly get it there.

gals (and some of you dudes) - don't wait until monday AM to shave. and you waxers - go soon but GO don’t skip it (yet another event that it awkwardly awful post-marathon). in either case, tight clothes, sweat, rubbing, UGH!

do-do-do make it personal! every day stop and think about what you are doing and who you are doing it for. maybe it’s a family member or a friend or a co-worker or a friend of a co-worker. think about the days when you were able to postpone a run for better weather or more sleep. well those people can’t postpone what they are going through - chemo doesn’t stop just because it’s raining (thanks Les!).

Gel/GU/Hammer/Blocks/Beans & Gatorade - if you haven't trained with them, don't go grabbing for it at mile 17. it might help - but then again it might not and who knows how long the line at the fire station will be when IT wants out - fast and furiously.

stay close to the ground... your shoes... stay off the stiletto's. no question they are hot, especially since your legs are fabulous and heels make them look better AND it is finally skirt weather, but this will be the week you fall off of them.
“but laurie - the “commuter look” running sneakers with the short skirt is terrible”… okay fine – i’ll the amended this one BUT if you wake up late and your see the bus pulling away from the stop , do not make a run for it (this goes for flip flops too). let's face it, you’re going to be late. who are you kidding, if you had to run in the first place, you were already going to be late.

STOP looking at the freakin’ weather report! folks it’s new england it changes hourly. it doesn’t matter – the gun is still going off at 10/10:40 and you are going to run - PERIOD.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ - get them! try to get as much good quality sleep as you can this week.

wash it twice - if you are going to wear new ANYTHING - socks, shorts, sports bra, shorts, whatever - wash it first, and twice if necessary.

buy racing flats at the expo on satuday and wear them for the first time on monday - kidding of course (seriously, what a-hole does that?!).

don't freak if out of the blue you have a joint or muscle pain, they're called phantom pains, it's in your head, you are fine.

for crying out loud, send out your damn fundraising letter (yup that one's for me yet again this year).

lube, lube, lube! on monday you're gonna need it EVERYWHERE - your sports bra, nipples, belly button, nether region, armpits, toes, thighs, you name it, just vas the crap out of yourself, and for goodness sake, don't be modest. but if you are, just yell out "no one look over here i'm lubing!" that'll definitely keep people from peeking.

hug as many people as you can, actually just hug fast people, they'll make you faster by osmosis.

and last but seriously not least, if you are not feeling "right" physically or mentally... talk to someone, a friend, a teammate, or our beloved coach jack. i've leaned on him for 15 years now. trust me when I say, it doesn't matter how experienced you think you are, he can talk you off the ledge and give you the necessary & magical information that will make MONDAY, APRIL 15th one of the best days of your life.

7 days.... GULP....

taper
run
celebrate

3 years ago i was a blogger

DFMC Friends - Something great happened recently… I found this blog.  Yes, it’s my blog which, for the last 2-3 years, I’ve only used for the purpose of selling my training shirts.  This of course explains how I stumbled back on it.  However this time I wasn’t in such a rush to post and be done for another 365 days, I actually re-read a bunch of posts.  I laughed, I cried, but mostly I got pissed.  Apparently my life is so f-ing busy that I can’t sit down and write about the craziness of life, training and everything else that goes along with this DFMC journey.  Once upon a time I actually posted stuff that was pretty good, (like the To Do’s and To Don’t’s - which will reappear later) it was mostly random but entertaining nonetheless.

The last time I posted something that WASN’T training shirt related or the aforementioned To Do’s and To Don’ts was December 2009 which of course makes sense, I mean not much has happened in that last 3 years…

Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - “A couple of weeks ago my hot water heater crapped out on me. Being totally overwhelmed I did what I always do – called my sister. She listened, offered her advice and of course pitied my bad luck. At the end of my bitching we chatted about family stuff. She informed me that she had spoken to my mother and that Mary’s (my cousin’s wife) sister Gina wasn’t doing well. Lung cancer. All of a sudden my hot water heater didn’t seem like such a big deal.
The next day I dealt with my water heater.
That same day Gina died.”

After that Tuesday I only blogged 2 more times and while I’m sure I sold a lot of shirts, I never mention that a week or so later my closest dearest Uncle Paul was diagnosed with cancer.  And the following May he died.  I didn’t talk about how my sister got seriously injured 30 days before the marathon in 2010, yet lined up at the starting line anyway.  She did it for my uncle and got through it because of him.  That year over 4,000 registered runners either didn’t show up or didn’t finish.  She ran and it hurt (A LOT) but like those battling cancer, especially my uncle, quitting was not an option. 

Last year with the temperature in the 90s my teammates and I (4 months post-partum, oh yeah *that* happened during my 3 year blog absence) were not only given the option to defer but it was strongly suggested by the BAA.  On April 16^th we all showed up and we all ran.  It was hot, it was ugly, we didn’t PR but quitting was not an option.

This spirit epitomizes the reasons why we run for Dana-Farber.  We will not quit because we are not done.

RUN

don't quit

2013 Training Shirts - WE RUN ON DFMC!

long sleeve shirts are $40

short sleeve (women's only) are $30

LIMITED QUANTITIES

Men - your shirts are black on BOTH sides

Women - yours are black on the front and pink on the back

more info

- gender sizing

- women's are FITTED (recommend going up a size)

- i will take cash, check or donation to my page www.runDFMC.org/2013/LaurieN

- out of state shipping ONLY (sorry, but there is no in-state shipping)

I will be at Shifter's race, the DFMC runner check-in on Marathon weekend and the DFMC Pasta Party

Email me if you have other questions or if you want me to hold one aside for you.
laurienahigian.dfmc@gmail.com

ONE MORE THING - 2012 shirts available for $15

2012 Training Shirts - worth the wait!

pick yours up MARATHON WEEKEND at the Marriott when you register with DFMC
$40 each
- gender sizing

Women's XSmall, Small, Medium, Large

Men's Medium, Large and XLarge

** if you want me to hold one aside for you to pick up at registationdonate to my fundraising page www.runDFMC.org/2012/laurien and email me your name & size (specify gender).

ALSO I have a limited number of 2011 facebook shirts available for $20

2011 Training Shirts Available NOW

Group Runs - Team Meetings - Marathon Weekend

$40 each

$35 for each additional shirt

to answers some FAQs

- gender sizing

- they run true to size

- no women's XL (try men's medium)
- out of state shipping ONLY please add $5 (except you Bruce... ;-) i'm serious!)

sorry, but there is no in-state shipping

email me if you have other questions or if you want me to hold one aside for you.



ONE MORE THING - 2010 shirts available for $15

To DO's and To DON'Ts

like my training shirts (shameless plug – don’t worry there is another one coming) this list is back by popular demand. i have re-written some of my past thoughts, added some new ones, deleted others, and of course made my usual editorial comments. ENJOY or be very scared!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ladies and gents.... with just 9 days to go, i, as a 12 year vet of this crazy game of marathoning, want to impart some wisdom (baaahaaahaaa) on what to do and but probably more important what NOT to do during these last few days before your 26.2 mile jaunt from Hopkinton to Boston.
they are in no particular order, so here goes....

ladies, if you haven't gotten a pedicure, go NOW and go DARK, do not wait another day. if you're thinking "it can wait 'till after" think again. trust me, you will not want anyone touching those tootsies the week after. not to mention, you don't want to see what’s going on under that polish nor does the person who has to go to work on them - there's no tip large enough to put another human through that.

unfortunately, most of us have 5 days of (unproductive) work this week. don’t iron your pants while they are on your body. i know i know you’ve been running and your quads are rock hard but seriously, risking 3rd degree burns is just stupid.

drink water - pretty obvious, right? but here's the deal, if you aren't in the habit of drinking a lot of H2O, pounding it sunday afternoon will shock your system - BAD news!

don't over carb early in the week, not only is it unnecessary, it'll just make you feel like crap.

continuing that same idea, don't do anything drastically different to your diet or supplement intake. like, um, taking iron pills or going vegan. with that said, you might want to stay away from the fried food, excess sugar and big macs.

cool the boozin' monday, tuesday, wednesday, friday & saturday. sunday night on the other hand, you may need a glass of wine to help you sleep. HA! you could drink the whole bottle, you're still not going to be able to sleep.

rub it down - get a massage or 2 or as many as you can fit in. it'll rock the muscles and help to relax you for sure. just one thought - if you're thinking you could really use a good hard one, i mean who couldn't, go before Wednesday or Thursday the latest, because if it's any good - you'll be feeling it the next day.

don't go food shopping in flip flops - you can't control someone else carriage - exhibit A – last year i almost ran over my sister's foot post pedicure - not cool.

this week rid your world of people who suck - i mean it. surround yourself with people who will pump you up, help calm you down, and who make you feel not just good but great, because you are.

if you haven't already, start a journal - not a blog - a personal journal for you and you alone. it'll allow you to look back and laugh at how freakin' nervous, excited, anxious, etc. you were. you can't get these feeling and emotions back but writing them down will allow you to visit them whenever you want.

go for a good, hard 10 mile woodland-crossroads run on thursday - KIDDING.... just wanted to see if you were paying attention.

listen to the JACKISM's - less is more - the hay's in the barn - the pennies are in the bank! if you do not run another step between now and the 19th, you're going to be fine. the objective is to "roll up to the starting line {insert jack hands here} feeling loose."

take a trip to the JFC if you can, there a lot of kids there you won't see at mile 25. if you need any inspiration at all you will certainly get it there.

gals (and some of you dudes) - don't wait until monday AM to shave. and you waxers - go soon but GO don’t skip it (yet another event that it awkwardly awful post-marathon). in either case, tight clothes, sweat, rubbing, UGH!

guys - i have reminded you in the past to pack your jock. some people may have found it obnoxious, but i'm not apologizing. pack your damn jock - hang it on the door knob - sleep in it, just make sure you have it. from what i'm told, that's not something you guys "pack an extra just in case." i assume guys wouldn't share that stuff, would they? GROSS!

do-do-do make it personal! every day stop and think about what you are doing and who you are doing it for. maybe it’s a family member or a friend or a co-worker or a friend of a co-worker. think about the days when you were able to postpone a run for better weather or more sleep. well those people can’t postpone what they are going through - chemo doesn’t stop just because it’s raining (thanks Les!).

Gel/GU/Hammer/Blocks/Beans & Gatorade - if you haven't trained with them, don't go grabbing for it at mile 17. it might help - but then again it might not and who knows how long the line at the fire station will be when IT wants out - fast and furiously.

stay close to the ground... your shoes... stay off the stiletto's. no question they are hot, especially since your legs are fabulous and heels make them look better AND it is finally skirt weather, but this will be the week you fall off of them.
“but laurie - the running sneakers “commuter look” with the short skirt is terrible”… okay fine – i’ll the amended this one BUT if you wake up late and your see the bus pulling away from the stop , do not make a run for it (this goes for flip flops too). let's face it, you’re going to be late. who are you kidding, if you had to run in the first place, you were already going to be late.

STOP looking at the freakin’ weather report! folks it’s new england it changes hourly. it doesn’t matter – the gun is still going off at 10/10:30 and you are going to run - PERIOD.

get yourself an ENTERING DFMC training shirt all the cool kids are doing it and they make great gifts for your donors and fans on the sidelines (find me at the table at the DFMC check-in) – plug, plug, plug.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ - get them! try to get as much good quality sleep as you can this week.

wash it twice - if you are going to wear new ANYTHING - socks, shorts, sports bra, shorts, whatever - wash it first, and twice if necessary.

buy racing flats at the expo on satuday and wear them for the first time on monday - kidding of course (seriously, what a-hole does that?!).

don't freak if out of the blue you have a joint or muscle pain, they're called phantom pains, it's in your head, you are fine.

for crying out loud, send out your damn fundraising letter (yup that one's for me yet again this year).

lube, lube, lube! on monday you're gonna need it EVERYWHERE - your sports bra, nipples, belly button, crotchal region, armpits, toes, thighs, you name it, just vas the crap out of yourself, and for goodness sake, don't be modest. but if you are, just yell out "no one look over here i'm lubing!" that'll definitely keep people from peeking.

hug as many people as you can, actually just hug fast people, they'll make you faster by osmosis.
and last but seriously not least, if you are not feeling "right" physically or mentally... reach out to jack (but remember you will be 1 out of over the 150 emails he receives daily). i've leaned on him for 12 years now. it doesn't matter how experienced you think you are, he can talk you off the ledge and he'll give you the necessary & magical information that will make MONDAY, APRIL 19th one of the best days of your life. i promise. we love ya jack!


9 days.... GULP....

taper
run
celebrate

2010 Training Shirts

COME AND GET 'EM!

yes you are reading this correctly! It's January 8th - and the shirts are IN! I have plenty of sizes but don't wait, the past 2 years they have flown off the shelf – or table – or out of the back of my car. I recommend buying early and often because i am not doing a re-order this year.

Same drill for 2010
Saucony technical shirt - White
Gender sizing
Women’s - XS to XL
Men’s – M to XXL

$35 donation

Shipping to out-of-state teammates only (please add $3/shirt). Local folks, i will have them at group runs and meetings. I may even hand deliver but will only ship locally if absolutely necessary. If you are going to email me your request be sure to give me the gender – i’m not going to assume.

To answer your questions:

Will it make me look fat? No! White is the new black - well no, it’s not but it still won’t make you look fat. On the other hand, that chocolate cream donut you are about to scarf down that will make you look fat.

Will you ship it to me in Dedham, MA? No – come to a group run – be social – if it hasn’t killed me it won’t kill you.

Do they run true to size? I’d say yes, I guess. Gals - they do not run big.

Guys – I don’t know what size your wife wears – but here’s a suggestion, bigger is not better.

Gals – Don’t buy too big – you’re a runner and it’s the first month of the season. Baggy clothes are not flattering. If you buy too big, by the end of the season it’ll look ridiculous on you.

Guys – I don’t have smalls – no guy should wear a small. But if you are a small – get a woman’s XL – kidding, don’t do that – it’s kind of creepy. One more thing, don’t go snug – seriously, it’s a white shirt and no one wants to see that.

Can I try it on post-run pre-shower? No – that’s just gross. You can however, take the size you think you are and try it on after you shower and if it doesn’t fit exchange it.

Yes, these are some of question i’ve been asked over the last 2 years. Feel free to email me more ridiculous ones, i promise to post them – people like laughing at other peoples absurdity.

I think that’s it for me. Enjoy the shirt – this was supposed to be a 1 time thing back in 2008 to celebrate my 10th year running on the team but overwhelming demand has guilted me into keeping it going. For that i thank you from the bottom of my heart – there is no better feeling than driving on Storrow Drive in October and seeing someone running the river in the shirt! on last but uber important thing... i want to give a MAJOR shout out to my girl Martha - the most talented graphic designer on the planet - thank you! and when i say thank you i really mean i love you to death.

See you all Sunday!

RUN
laurie

PS – if you’re one of those people who didn’t pay me for last year’s shirt – by all means do not hesitate to double that donation this year.

DFMC 2010 - because I can.

This is the first entry of the 2010 season – the stream of consciousness - here goes.

A couple of weeks ago my hot water heater crapped out on me. Being totally overwhelmed I did what I always do – called my sister. She listened, offered her advice and of course pitied my bad luck. At the end of my bitching we chatted about family stuff. She informed me that she had spoken to my mother and that Mary’s (my cousin’s wife) sister Gina wasn’t doing well. Lung cancer. All of a sudden my hot water heater didn’t seem like such a big deal.
The next day I dealt with my water heater.
That same day Gina died.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I’ve run once since the Maine Marathon in October, not because I don’t want to – but because I really don’t think I can. Acetabular issues.
So last week I went to see my girl Lynn (http://mulrenanpt.com) the best PT in the biz. She created me a program, to work the small muscles in and around the hip (of course not the “big” macho ones).
Example:
Hip abduction http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/HipAbductor/CBHipAbduction.html
Sans cable (because apparently I’m not so tough)
And something she calls “sexy curve.” Unfortunately (or fortunately) there is no video clip, but it’s a small movement that starts standing with one foot on top of the other then you kick out your hip and straighten up. I’d make the video but it is so far from sexy when I do it.

I feel lame.
I feel pressure.
But more important, I feel like I’d better get my ass going on this remedial workout, because I trust Lynn will get me to the Hopkinton in 4 months and 17 days.

I don’t have to remind my DFMC teammates that the start line is only the beginning - Gina was only 50.

Keep running, even when you think you can’t.
Because you can.
RUN

PS – thank you Lynn for adding in squats, if for nothing else, my ego. I love you!

Be nervous, be very very nervous!

as some of you may recall, last blog season we had several "guest writers" who gave us insight on apparel & music, injury reports, and words of inspiration and hope. although the following entry was emailed to only a few of us, i know it applies to the hundreds and hundreds (okay 8) of twentysixpointtoomanymiles followers.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

I know what you are thinking:

Did I do enough training
What will the weather be
Wind is ok as long as it is a tail wind
Will my stomach be good to me
Will my hair look good when I am covered in sweat
Will people laugh at my pale legs
Will Monday be my day
How will I feel at mile 1,2,3,4...
Will my singlet show off my eyes appropriately and match my shoes

You are not really nervous about these things at all. You are nervous because you care, because the journey you are about to finish is important to you. You are nervous because you are about to accomplish something that only a small percentage of the people on the planet will accomplish. You are nervous because you are pushing yourself to your physical limit. You are nervous because it matters. You are nervous because you are special.

Be nervous, be very very nervous!

Love,
John

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Papa John, an 8 year member of our DFMC team, is one of this year’s injured soldiers. As you can see, instead of feeling angry, jealous, spiteful, etc. of the fact that he is unable to run this year, he passes along his love and inspiration to all of us - the true and absolute definition of a TEAMMATE.
THANK YOU PJ! WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU VERY MUCH!

back by popular demand - To Do's and To Don'ts

so here goes - in an effort not to be lazy and just cut & paste last years entry i have re-written some of the thoughts below, added some things i forgot last year, and of course made some additional editorial comments. ENJOY or be very scared!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ladies and gents.... with just 9 days to go, i, as an 11 year vet of this crazy game of marathoning, want to impart some wisdom (baaahaaahaaa) on what to do and what not to do during these last few days before your 26.2 mile jaunt from Hopkinton to Boston. they are in no particular order, so here goes....

ladies, if you haven't gotten a pedicure, go NOW and go DARK, do not wait another day. if you're thinking "it can wait 'till after" think again. trust me, you will not want anyone touching those tootsies the week after. not to mention, you don't want to see whats going on under that polish nor does the person who has to go to work on them - there's no tip large enough to put another human through that.

suggestion -

drink water - pretty obvious, right? but here's the deal, if you aren't in the habit of drinking a lot of H2O, pounding it sunday afternoon will shock your system -BAD news!

don't over carb early in the week, not only is it not necessary, it'll just make you feel like crap

continuing that same idea, don't do anything drastically different to your diet or supplement intake. like, um, taking iron pills or going vegan. with that said, you might want to stay away from the fried food, excess sugar and big macs - then again ....

cool the boozin' monday, tuesday, wednesday, friday & saturday. sunday night on the other hand, you may need a glass of wine to help you sleep. HA! you could drink the bottle, you're still not going to be able to sleep

go for a good, hard 10 mile run on thursday - KIDDING.... just wanted to see if you were paying attention

rub it down - get a massage or 2 or as many as you can fit in. it'll rock the muscles and help to relax you for sure. just one thought - if you're thinking you could really use a good hard one, i mean who couldn't, go before wednesday, because if it's any good - Michaela or Gordon style - you'll be feeling it the next day

don't go food shopping in flip flops - you can't control someone else carriage - exhibit A - i almost ran over my sister's foot today post pedicure - not cool

rid your world of people who suck this week - i mean it. surround yourself with people who will pump you up, help calm you down, and who make you feel not just good but great, because you are

if you haven't already, start a journal - not a blog - a personal journal for you and you alone. it'll allow you to look back and laugh at how freakin' nervous, excited, anxious, etc. you were. you can't get these feeling and emotions back but writing them down will allow you to visit them whenever you want

listen to the JACKISM's - less is more - the hay's in the barn - the pennies are in the bank! if you do not run another step between now and the 20th, you're going to be fine. the objective is to "roll up to the starting line {insert jack hands here} feeling loose"

take a trip to the JFC if you can, there a a lot of kids there you won't see at mile 25. if you need any inspiration at all you will certainly get it there.

gals (and some of you dudes) - don't wait until monday AM to shave, and if you wax - go soon - but go (another event that it awkwardly awful post-marathon). in either case, tight clothes, sweat, rubbing, UGH!

guys - last year i reminded you pack your jock. some people may have found it obnoxious, but i'm not apologizing. pack your damn jock - hang it on the door knob - sleep in it, just make sure you have it. from what i'm told, that's not something you guys "pack an extra just in case," not to mention guys wouldn't share that stuff, would they? GROSS!

Gel/GU/Hammer/Blocks/Beans & Gatorade - if you haven't trained with them, don't go grabbing one at mile 17. it might help - but then again it might NOT and who knows how long the line at the fire station will be when it wants out - fast and furiously

(i can't believe i'm going to write this one) jack says stay away from chocolate (well what he actually says is keep the sugar intake low) but what does he know ;-), chocolate makes me happy

stay close to the ground... your shoes... stay off the stiletto's - no question they are hot especially since it is finally skirt weather (not today of course), but this will be the week you fall off of them

get yourself a red hot DFMC training shirt at the pasta party - all the cool kids are doing it

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ - get them! try to get as much good quality sleep as you can this week

wash it twice - if you are going to wear new ANYTHING - socks, shorts, sports bra, shorts - whatever wash it first, and twice if necessary

don't freak if out of the blue you have a joint or muscle pain, it's called phantom pains, they are in your head, you are fine. but if not, there is always the contrast bath, from heat to ice. heat (hot shower or light cardio), stretch, rub/roll/stick, then plop yourself into an ice bath.... just ask matt how small, i mean good it is for you

for crying out loud, send out your damn fundraising letter (yup that one's for me)

and "Oh Evan, thank you for bringing that lube" (Super Bad, you know the scene i'm sure) on monday you're gonna need it EVERYWHERE! your nipples (boys) & sports bra (girls), belly button, crotchal region, armpits, toes, thighs, you name it, just vas the crap out of yourself, and for goodness sake, don't be modest. but if you are, just yell out "no one look over here i'm lubing!" that'll definitely keep people from peeking

hug as many people as you can, actually just hug fast people, it'll make you faster by osmosis

and last but seriously not least, if you are not feeling "right" physically or mentally... reach out to jack (but remember you will be 1 out of over the 140 emails he receives daily). i've leaned on him for 11 years now. it doesn't matter how experienced you think you are, he can talk you off the ledge and he'll give you the necessary & magical information that will make monday, april 20th one of the best days of your life. i promise. we love ya jack!

9 days.... GULP....

taper on friends

you've got email

so my sister forwards me an email today with the familiar subject line “Congratulations! You just received a donation on your personal page!” obviously i assumed it was a BIG one, because why else would she forward it, right?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sent: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 8:50 am

Subject: RE: Congratulations! You just received a donation on your personal page!


Hi Kristan,
Yes, it is my cousin. She also told me that she has been following Hunter’s page since her daughter got Leukemia. She belongs to some sort of email support group for parents. She has never met her, but knew all about her and recognized your sister on your page after seeing her on Hunter’s page!
We will be at mile 20 with her and her family – we can’t wait!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



How much did she donate? Who really cares?



keep RUNNING friends, we'll get there - we have to.


blast from the past post - http://twentysixpointtoomanymiles.blogspot.com/2008/05/note-from-stranger.html

my day at the donigan

i need to preface this with - i should be sleeping right now, but i can't let this day pass with out sharing something really special... last year, march 26th, 2008, i went to the DFCI Jimmy Fund Clinic to decorate the pasta party patient partner poster with Hunter - one year ago to the day. http://twentysixpointtoomanymiles.blogspot.com/2008/03/my-day-at-office.html
last sunday, March 22nd, i made my way to the Donigan house for this years poster decorating extravaganza. all i can say, what a difference a year makes! this day last year we were surrounded by beeping machines, shuffling nurses and doctors, a lot of laughter, and unfortunately too many tears. THIS year there were SIX healthy girls (yes i'm including katie and i in that number - not the cats), shuffling about, drawing, gluing, cutting, sticking, and yes - laughing. there were no tears, except maybe after i left katie to deal with 3.5 sugar coated kids, because i thought it would be a GREAT idea to bring whoopie pies over and eat them 5 minutes before making the grand exit... sorry katie ;-)!
what an incredible day - all i can say is not only does the poster kick ass, but the bond between us ALL grew even stronger. seeing that poster on the 19th will be great, but seeing Hunter and the rest of the Donigan's will be even more special!

i'm thankful beyond words that i didn't have to go to the JFC to do our poster - Hunter is cancer free... let's say it again CANCER FREE... one more time, on your own, as loud as you can. CANCERF-INGFREE! feels good doesn't it.

before i say good night i want to mention one more thing - last year when i blogged i talked about my experience at the JFC (which was hilarious). i also urged you all to swing in and visit the kids and their parents who are there for treatment. although we are not the docs and nurses who are giving them the best care in the world, nor are we the investigators who spend hours in the lab giving them hope, and believe it or not we aren't famous athletes, or TV anchors who offer them brief moments of excitement and entertainment. who we are, ARE their teammates and they are our inspiration. go visit, go now, it will change your life.

with that, good night (it's after the 26th - but don't hold it against me).
we're almost there - dig in, be smart, stay healthy and keep having fun.
and for goodness sake celebrate how fricken' far you've come...
RUN

another one in the books...

viewers - i'm curious how you celebrated Evacuation Day?
did you reflect on what the holiday means to you?

i know for some it meant evacuating their bed to stand in line at the Black Rose - at 530A. for others it meant evacuating the track before even getting to run a lap. and for a few it meant evacuating the green from their pocket for the red at the bone (yeah i know - that makes no sense - it's late - clearly any interesting, humorous and rational thought has evacuated my brain). but here's the question -

does anyone out there even know why we bostonians observe Evacuation Day? if you don't here's your history lesson for the day, the holiday commemorates the evacuation of British forces from our city after an 11-month siege early in the American Revolutionary War.

Good stuff, although it could have been better if i had had the day off. but seriously you can't beat them beantown (only) holidays, evac day, bunker hill day and of course in less than 5 weeks PATRIOTS DAY. ah, it is great to be a bostonian...

SO marathon monday (here's where we tie in the running part) in case you didn't know, the baa has posted the bib numbers - YOUR bib number. what does that mean? in 34 days my friends we'll be pinning that number on our singlet, lacing up our trainers and setting out on our journey.

on april 20th we will evacuation hopkinton to do battle - fighting our way to boston. 26.2 miles. wow.

are you ready?

RUN on friends - tick tock!

oh yeah - happy st. patrick's day!

where the heck have you been?

i'm back (i'd say "i'm back and better than ever" but i'm not making promises).

so what's new with me since you last tuned in - A LOT but most of the people who read this already know the life changes that have occurred since my last post (in september). in any case here's a snap shop - new jobs, great races, good health, socializing enough and sleeping very little. my family is great, my dog is the best, all and all no complaints.

that's pretty much it for me - now the important stuff. Hunter - you all know her - my patient partner and inspiration. it makes me ecstatically happy (and thankful) to say she is D-O-N-E with cancer! on JUNE 24th she reached the finish line after a longer than long run. i think i can speak for all of us DFMCers that the thought of the "long run" is what gets us out the door... especially this winter. for me, with the life changes above, the thought of our young and not-so-young friends and family with cancer, makes getting out in 18-feels like 4 degree weather more than just bearable, it makes it necessary. when all is said and done we won't remember the crappy weather or how tired we were after long days at work or all of the other personal emotional crap we have going on, we will know that we are steps closer to that ultimate finish line. DFMCers i am proud to be teammates and friends with all of you (even the ones who incessantly give me crap about this g-awful blog). good stuff. keep running.

SO what else can i tell you - oh yeah - i'm selling shirts again (look right). get them whole they are hot hot hot!

that's it for now (new beddy awaits). yes, i'll blog some more, but as i said to Les on the left coast, don't go holding your breath waiting for the next installment of twentysixpointtoomany miles, we need you on April 20th.

signing off.

RUN (jog or walk), stay healthy and for crying out loud celebrate yourself.

one last thing - look at this post-race photo... are you kidding me... crazy beautiful!

kcuf you recnac!

A new year...

I'm kicking them off, when do you think they'll notice? Yeah, probably never. If you do get the blog alert - shhhhhhh, don't tell.

More later. I will try to be better in 2009.

a note from a stranger

i wanted to share this a while ago, but i wasn't sure if i should (i'm not sure why). back in early april i got an email (and a donation) from someone who had found me through Hunter's caringbridge site.
april 5
hi Laurie, I 'know' of Hunter and her family through a close friend here in Franklin, from time to time I see Katie with the girls out around town. Quick story: During summers in Franklin, the school system holds little classes in fun subjects for the young children. I was rushing to 'Creative Chef's' on day one, my 5 yr old decides to tell me he has to pee - NOW. My 7 yr old yells at him, I yell at both of them - no parking spots of course. Drag everyone across the stupid parking lot to the stupid school for stupid summer class. Ugh. I am really needing Starbucks and a break. Then I spot Katie. She was walking in with one daughter and carrying a sleeping, bald Hunter. Calm and content, all of them. I felt one inch high. I look down at my fighting children and despite biting my tongue, the tears start. How could I be so selfish and foolish all at once. Lump in my throat, I kiss my girl goodbye, and off I go with the boy. I never held his hand so tight. I never wanted to get back for pickup so quick. I KNOW all the things about being grateful and thankful and not sweating small stuff. To get caught off guard by a moment like that -Took my breath away. I thank God for those moments, and I have carried that one around since. In the midst of her illness, Hunter teaches all of us who barely know her. In the midst of being her mother, Katie teaches those of us who look at her with awe and wonder and unending hope. So thank you for doing what you will do on that Monday. Please accept my donation and all the thoughts and energy that go along with it. I will be working at the marathon that morning while you are stepping off in Hopkinton, (I'm a police officer in a nearby town). I will think of you all and again, like every year, I will ponder ... 'hmm. maybe next year I will actually DO this thing!!!". So take good care of yourself, and rock it hard!!

amazing, right...

after the marathon i got this one.
april 23
Best of luck to you in your life, your job, your world! What you do is wonderful for those affected by that horrid disease. I know all that good karma you give will be coming back to you over the year!

i responded back for ALL of us and told her we would continue doing this until we can't, but what i should have said was that we will continue to do it until we don't have to. thank you CMR, please keep in touch!

april 20, 2009 isn't that far away friends.
hmmm, maybe i'll go for a run tomorrow.

me oh my oh...

so a week has gone by... gosh already... what now.... why does it seem like the afterglow is dimming by the second? first timers (and veterans alike) when you're going about your training you never stop to think about how you're going to feel when it's over. the difference between us vets and the rookies is that while you are clueless, we choose to avoid the thought of IT... that IT... post-marathon blues. it's real friends, and i would venture to guess that most of you are feeling it right about now. whether you PRed or not, your result last monday has nothing to do with it, there's a weird emptiness that just won't go away.

how many time have you looked yourself (your friends, neighbor, co-worker, and that guy you met at crossroads 4 thursdays ago) up on the baa.org website? cross reference the last name and bib number and check out all of the pictures on marathonfoto.com and smugmug.com. how many conversations did you have last week about "your" marathon? how often have you shared the good, the bad and the ugly parts of those 26.2 miles with anyone who asked? might you be smiling as you are reading this, perhaps reliving the glory day again in your own head? now let me ask, have people stopped asking you how it went,or how you did? have you made the attempt to run yet? do you even want to? what part sucks more, not wanting to run or the thought that no one cares anymore about your running? up until a week ago that's all people wanted to talk to you about, right? "how many miles did you get in today?" "did you really run 21 miles this weekend?" "tapering, what's tapering?" and my favorite (the week before the race), "are you ready?" now here we are, a week has passed, and no one seems to give a crap. giving a crap right about now is hard but that funk feeling is temporary. the desire to get back on the road will come as soon as you regain the excitement you had before the marathon and the exhilaration you felt when you crossed the finish line. even if you're not ready to start logging the miles again, call up your running friends, make a date, meet for coffee, grab a drink. keep talking about it, because we do still care. for us running geeks it never get old.

in november 1998, i ran my first marathon. when it was over, i was in the dumper, big time. i couldn't for the life of me figure it out, after all i had just run my first marathon. a few days later after reading something i knew i wouldn't be the same...
YOU ARE NOW A MARATHONER.
that is my congratulatory gift to you, live it, love it, celebrate it and above all, be proud of it.

cheers.

24 hours

funny, it's sunday. our plan was to go to the charles and see the women run the olympic trials, get up early, get coffee, get inspired. thinking about the week before, the "right" decision was made, sleep in. yeah, that worked out awesome, my eyes sprung open at 645A. so here is am watching it on the computer and thinking about all of the things i have to do today, and of course tomorrow. i've done this enough so one might think it would be old hat, but it's not, i promise you that. it does not get easier, more manageable, or less nerve-wracking. in preparation for tomorrow, my bag is packed, so since i had time i decided to looked at my self-proclaimed "things to do" (and not to do).

pedicure - yesterday... risky i know, but i came out alright, with of course lincoln park after dark.

H2O - i've become obsessed with coconut water (vita coco, found in your grocers refrigerator) the "natural rehydrator" with 660 grams of potassium. the only weird thing is it has the asparagus effect, you know what i mean right?

carbing - sure. i can't say i'm pounding pasta, but i am eating like it is my job and with that getting much exercise with all of the trips to the bathroom.

boozing - 3 drinks at red bones, that's it.

massage - visited michaela on thursday, calves are feeling fine, head is feeling better.

s*cky people - yeah, i tried, i'll leave it at that.

good people - every year the most incredible people come out of the wood works with amazing pre-race words. between the emails, cards, phone calls & of course text messages, i'm blowing up (i think that's what the kids these days say).

journal - 1 day of blogging doesn't really count i guess.

JFC - unfortunately i did not make it there this week, but i am looking SO forward to seeing Hunter and the rest of the kids tonight and tomorrow on the bridge!

shaved my legs this AM (TMI).

jock - na

chocolate - ate it.

shoes - stayed off the high ones, but i have to say walking around the house barefoot isn't less dangerous... stubbed my toe twice on the same darn thing this morning. OUCH!

phantom pains - knee twinges... oh jeez.

contrast bath - how about a hot shower, "the stick," and bio-freeze.

fundraising letter-went out on friday. my goal was to hit $10K my monday, it's looking good!

lube - if i started now that would just be weird and something i would not be talking about on this blogsite.

hugs-i have, and have, and have, and the day just started.

JACK-nothing major yet, but i'm coming for ya mister!

with all of that said, thank you for reading. the trials just finished deena castor had a come from behind effort to win. although it would have been nice to be there to cheer on our american ladies making a bid for the 2008 olympics in beijing, quite honestly i don't need them to inspire me. i get all of the inspiration i need from a 6 year old cancer patient.

on last tip or word of advice - the pasta party will give you far more than the carbs you will need to get through monday. stop-look-listen and take it all in. in 24 hours you will be running! don't be in a rush enjoy every second of it. you are about to experience something most people never will.

godspeed my running friends, see you at the finish line!

laurie

say it like it is

It is official, I am in pre-race mode. I just finished reading the posts on the DFMC website and I am so frustrated. I am familiar with the questions that pop up this time of year. But, I have my rituals and I don't want to deviate from them. What I am searching for are answers to the really important race day questions. Is there anyone out there that would be able to help me with these:

1. If the 2008 singlet makes me look fat, can I wear one from a previous year that is more slimming?
2. Is it acceptable to wear white running shoes even though it is not yet Memorial day?
3. What is the maximum amount of crap that I can wear on my body on race day and still look like I am actually a runner and not a tourist?
4. Since Aimee and Laurie are running this year, should I pack two watches or three?

Rest hard,
John

Since I am unable to work or focus on anything but the race, I will answer Papa John's questions, and add a few of my own.

1. You are the sexiest 49 year old man I know. You could not look fat in your singlet.
2. You are ok with white. As long as you are not wearing linen running shorts or argyle socks, you're fine.
3. It's tough to quantify crap...but I think if you go iPod, fuel belt, garmin, shades, and carry a cell phone with built in camera, you should be fine.
4. No answer for 4.

My questions:

1. If I cramp up (like I did in Phoenix last year) late in the race but I'm on track to qualify, should I stop and find a porto-potty or just poop in my pants?
2. Will shaving my head, legs and arms make me less wind resistant and thus faster? Will Laurie's waxing make me faster by reverse osmosis?
3. For my running tunes, should I go with loud "pump" music to keep me pushing or maybe change it up and relax with classical to calm my nerves and bring down the heart rate?
4. If I order a Bass Ale tonight for John and leave it on the bar to honor his absence, how long will it take for Jack to drink it?

Matt,

Thank you for helping me out. I will now try to do the same.

1. I would say port-o-potty. It is only cool to poop in your pants when you are on TV.
2. Shaving will definitely make you faster, but you forgot chest and back, two hairy areas where shaving provides the added bonus of helping you lose weight. As for the osmosis part, I need more information, are we talking Brazilian?
3. I might go with some smooth jazz to keep you mellow and on pace. John Coltrane. "Favorite Things."
4. My suggestion is to tell Jack that I called and I am stuck in traffic and I will be there shortly. Let's see how long that can hold him off.

Have a good day,

John

To Do's & To Don'ts....

here goes ladies and gents.... with 7 days to go i, as a 10 year vet of this crazy game of marathoning, want to impart some wisdom (stop snickering). with that said here goes nothin'....

ladies, if you haven't gotten a pedicure go NOW and go DARK, do not wait another day. Not only will you not want anyone touching those toes the week after, you don't want to see whats going on under that polish.

drink water - OBVI - but if you aren't use to drinking a lot, you'll shock your system if you start pounding it sunday afternoon.

don't over carb early in the week, cause you'll just feel like crap. with that said, don't do anything that different to your diet at this stage. however, you might want to stay away from the fried food, or barbeque, or anything else you can get at red bones.

cool the boozin' monday, wednesday, thursday, friday & saturday.

go for a good, hard 10 mile run on thursday - KIDDING.... just wanted to see if you were paying attention.

rub it down (i said DOWN)... get a massage - and may i suggest my girl michaela she ROCKS the muscles like no other and has probably made a pain-free arrival to the start line possible for this old gal. (i love love love you girl!) if you need references, all members of the twentysixpointoomanymiles staff have seen her at least once with the last 5 days.

rid your week (all 7 days of it) of people who s*ck.

surround yourself with people who will pump you up. let them tell you how great you are, because you are (well, most of you).

journal this last week so you can look back and laugh at how freakin' nervous you were.

if you can, take a trip to the JFC, there a a lot of kids there you won't see at mile 25. if you need any inspiration at all you will certainly get it there.

gals - don't wait until monday AM to shave (or wax), tight clothes, sweat, rubbing, you get what i'm saying, right?

guys - please pack your jock. shorts optional.

(i can't believe i'm going to write this one) jack says stay away from chocolate... well what he actually says is keep the sugar intake low.... sorry jack, chocolate is love.

stay close to the ground... meaning your shoes... stay off the stiletto's - no question they are hot especially for you dudes in skirts, but this will be the week you fall off of them.

don't freak if out of the blue you have a joint or muscle pain, they're called phantom pains, it's in your head, you are fine.

but if not, there is always the contrast bath, from heat to ice. heat, stretch & rub, then plop yourself into an ice bath.... just ask matt how small, i mean good it is.

for crying out loud, send out your fundraising letter (oops, i think/hope that just applies to me)

on monday lube lube lube EVERYWHERE! your nipples (boys) & sports bra (girls), belly button, crotchal region, armpits, toes, thighs, you name it, just vas the crap out of yourself, and for goodness sake, don't be modest. but if you are just yell out "no one look over here i'm lubing!" that'll definitely keep people from peeking.

hug as many people as you can, actually just hug fast people, it'll make you faster by osmosis.

and last but seriously not least, talk to jack if you are not feeling "right," body or head... i've called on him for 10 years now. not only will he talk you off the ledge, he will give you the necessary & magical information that will make monday, april 21st one of the best days of your life. i promise. we love ya jack!

7 days.... GULP....
taper on friends