I Think I Can...I Think I Can...

"I KNOW I can!" Is what I need to be telling myself at this point in the game. So last weekend was not my finest work. I was supposed to get a 13 miler in and gave up at 7.5. I was simply O-V-E-R IT! I had a big fat WAAAHHHHHH moment, where I just did not feel like running. All I wanted to do was spend time with my family, my boyfriend, have fun and not stress out over spending endless amounts of time training. I believe that is what's commonly referred to as, "hitting the wall". I gave myself the break I needed and now it's time to get my head back in the game. And by back in the game I mean, 10 miles tomorrow, cross training Thursday and going for 20 this weekend (Booo-ya!)

These past few weeks have been quite challenging with balancing a very hefty workload, trying to raise $5,000 for the Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (MBHP - the awesome cause I'm doing all this for...please donate www.crowdrise.com/MariaDias) endless hours of running and cross training, eating, eating, eating and yes, more eating and etc, etc, etc etc. I don't mean to bitch and complain by any means - I'd MUCH rather be super busy then bored, it's just that I think I'm in need of restoring a little balance in my life...ASAP!

Well, the 2012 Boston Marathon is just around the corner...so the light at the end of the tunnel is near.

Oh, did I tell you?? I'm signed up for a Tough Mudder event in Mt. Snow, Vermont one month after the Boston Marathon...what was I saying about restoring balance again???

Keep those donations coming folks! MBHP and I NEED your help! Donate now www.crowdrise.com/MariaDias

Rock on wit yo bad self!

Maria D.

I Got Your Hunger Games!!!

I am quite amused by all the buzz around the tween sensation, Hunger Games.  Not hating on the series by any means -- I actually bought the book, but haven't had time to actually sit down and read it.  I just laugh every time I see a Facebook posting or other advertisement for the Hunger Games, because I literally chuckle to myself and think, "HA!  I got your Hunger Games!".  Literally, I can not stop eating, constantly hungry, not enough calories in this world to satisfy this "hunger game"...except it's not a game, it's expensive and my teeth are going to rot and fall out of my face from the constant grazing required to prevent me from turning into the Sicilian Hulk.  My stomach is grumbling, literally as I am sitting here typing this.

I know this is quite normal and quite healthy with the amount of miles I am up to at this point, I just do not recall being THIS famished the last marathon I trained for...then again I don't have the best memory.

Ohh well, on a very exciting note!  I completed 18 miles this past weekend!  And had my "Coach" (AKA Boyfriend or Ginger) along with his mini clone (AKA son) biking alongside me for a very crucial part of the run - Mile 10 - 16.  I say this part of the run is very crucial because I am ok to be alone with my thoughts for 2 hours, beyond that, I struggle.  I need that mental distraction, someone to crack a joke with, keep me laughing during these really long runs.  Can't even tell you how much that helped me.  This run was soooooo much easier than 16 - go fig!

I'm really excited because this coming weekend I "only" have to run 13, the following weekend I'm going for the BIG SHA-BANG, 20 and it sounds like I may have recruited a couple "Coach's" to help me get through portions of that run.  PS - Those of you who are joining me on that 20, I'm giving you a hug right now (SQUEEEZZEEE!!!).

I LOVE the support everyone!  Thank you!  YOU ROCK!!!

2012 Boston Marathon - I'm coming for ya baby!!!!  See you in t-minus 26 Days!

Holla!

Maria

16 Miles...Gets Me Every Time!

Today I rocked 16 miles!...ok, maybe 16 miles rocked me...Whatever, minor details!  This was probably the first run in a long time, where I felt muscles and joints I did not know existed.  As the saying goes, "no pain, no gain", right?  I'm stoked I got 16 miles under my belt, just now feeling a little nervous for 18, 20 and the big sha-bang, 26.2!  The miles are now getting up there in preparation for the big day - it's exciting and nerve wracking all wrapped into one!

As I was wrapping up 16 miles today, clearly in pain, the thought that crossed my mind is, "Holy Crap!  In 1 month, I'll be running this...PLUS 10 more miles!" I suppose 16 miles wouldn't have been so challenging if I had a running buddy to keep me out of my own brain for 3 whole hours, but such is life.  Today really was a good mentally challenging run.  I ran solo and had to figure out a way to shake the negative thoughts out of my brain a few times, I resorted to pretending my old running buddy was running along side me, then mixed it up and pretended my boyfriend was biking alongside me...it was not as good as the real thing, but totally did the trick!  It's amazing really, our body's will do anything to get us to stop doing whatever it is that is conflicting pain.  Thoughts will turn from positive, "I got this in the bag!!!" to "you can't do this, there is no way you are finishing today's run".  It's a humbling experience to overcome those pessimistic thoughts and finish what you sought out to achieve.


The funny thing is that when I was training last year for the San Francisco Marathon, the 16 miler run was a physically and mentally exhausting run as well...only difference is that last year it was 20 degrees out and snowing/raining...at least today was close to 60 degrees and a perfect blue bird day!.  Either way, glad to be past this threshold.

Next weekend, I'm going for 20 miles and already recruited my "Coach" aka boyfriend to bike along side me.  Not going alone on that one!

Stay tuned to hear how it goes!

Countdown is getting real, people!  Please donate now to MBHP...for reals, like NOW!!!!www.crowdrise.com/MariaDias


Thanks for following my journey!

Maria