Saturday, November 22, 2008

To Dream The Impossible Dream

Marathon Plan - Regressive Countdown - Week Two
11/17/08 - 11/23/08
Week Total: 21.4

This week started with my 52th Birthday, a year wiser, a year older, and definitely, running-wise, a year stronger.

I missed not being with my husband on my Bday for third year in a row (California and Washington State living... when will this end?) but still I had multiple celebrations, starting with
a nice little banquet with my son and his fiancee. My son prepared for me delicious baked oysters that were A-number 1. We had as main dish a great pork loin with beautiful black and white farfalle (gorgeous!!! and recommended). And for dessert, my daughter-in-law to-be had a yummy cheese-cake.

I also went out to dinner twice with different group of friends. I talked on the phone for hours with my daughter in Thailand and two of my best friends (one in Florida and one in California), talked to mom who is in Venezuela, but couldn't talk with my older kid who was in Japan. I received more than a hundred messages of congratulations (thanks God for 21st century communications). Important to note that most of my friends have been friends for more than 30 years, and for that I am thankful and blessed.

Now, the week is ending with an itchy throat, an itchy ear, itchy eyes, a headache, stuffy nose and I just pray they are allergies (to what?) and not a cold, (taking Zicam, just in case). Setting that on the side (I don't even want to think about it), my last week of training ended really good.

Saturday's forecast was cold and overcast.
I had my wind stopper ear band, my Mizuno gloves, tights, technical long sleeve and my breath thermo. Miraculously, the sun decided to shine (kinda) and the 42F/5.5 C felt nice and warm for the first 5 miles when the sun decided to go away. The highlight of the run was my adorable hubby's present: a Polar running watch. I tested it during this last "long run" of 10 miles. Even though I tried not to run for time (advice from some of you) I couldn't avoid it. This gizmo gave me a lot of confidence on my pace, an after six months running my long runs on the same route, I finally understood with numbers (*) the ups and downs of each mile (before, I was measuring the splits with a post-it and a pen when I hit the mile marks).

(*) As an engineer and a stats-freak I need numbers....

Well friends, the training is over... In Spanish we say: Here is where the river brought me...Now let's get the job done next Sunday 11/30/2008. A great news is that the forecast, so far, for Marathon day is High 53 Low 42, partly cloudy, no showers. That'll be a gift from Heaven... but knowing Seattle... that can change!!!

I am ready, everything is ready. Gear, shoes, pod, watch, Ipod, GUs. I'll have three miles on Tue and three on Turkey Day,
Friday the Expo at the Westin... But the best of all is having the Thanksgiving Holiday for resting and mentally prepping...

What is my goal?

My Dream Goal is a sub-5, and if it's possible or not, I have it as my dream (an impossible dream?)
My Great Goal is 5-5:15
My Realistic Goal is 5:15 - 5:30
My Ok Goal is 5:30 - 5:45
My Oh Well Goal is > 5:45

Chris B. and Charlie have taught me two great lessons during their past marathon endeavors (Rock & Roll Arizona Marathon and Chicago Marathon respectively). There are variables we cannot control, and
there are things that go out of hands.

No matter what, our tenacity is there and the finish line is welcome, but if we still DNF we had the courage to go there wanting To Dream The Impossible Dream

To fight the unbeatable foe

To bear with unbearable sorrow

To run where the brave dare not go

This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far....






































HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9 comments:

Journey to a Centum said...

Lizzie,

It wasn't my idea but yes, I will be running the triple over the Thanksgiving weekend. Let's keep an eye out for each other. It will be fun to meet.

Eric

ShirleyPerly said...

Glad you had a great birthday. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to live apart from your husband. Mine is on the road nearly 100% of the time and that is tough enough for me.

Hope the cold/allergy symptoms abate by race day. It sure does sound like you are read to make some dreams come true!

Jade Lady said...

Oh, your dinner looked so yummy! Happy Birthday and thanks for visiting my blog. You are looking so fabulous!

I hope that I can do as many of the things that I do today when she turns 20 like you and your daughter do. Running keeps us young, huh? The best of luck on your race day - I like how you listed those goals - and most importantly - have FUN on your marathon day!

Susan said...

What wonderful birthday blessings!

You are READY for Seattle, that is for certain. And I love your goal list. I see you finishing at least in the top three!

Having a watch rocks!!!

MarathonChris said...

Happy belated birthday!!!! It has to be tough being away from loved ones on days like that.

Get lots of rest this week....zicam and vit C. You are going to do great this weekend!! I am sending good marathoning vibes your way. You have already done all the work...now its just the icing! :-)

Backofpack said...

Happy, Happy Birthday!

We'll see you Sunday!

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday Lizzie. I'll join you at that new milestone in Feb.

It's obvious you have a lot of love in your life from both family and friends.

I don't race. But you seem well prepared for the marathon. I wish you well as you run and look forward to hearing how things went.

CewTwo said...

Sounds like you have a plan. How is the nervous anticipation going?

First of all, Happy Birthday! It sounds like you had a great time I am so pleased for you!

I had a panic yesterday when my Garmin 205 watch would not start! I was wondering how to replace before my next marathon attempt. I was able to reset it, but there was a Data Loss panic setting in...

Don't forget Visualization! See yourself running a successful marathon. See yourself with the Finish line insight. See yourself with your heart filling with gladness. See yourself, breathless, sore, as you raise your arms and cross that line with the biggest grin of your life!

I wish you luck. May the time and energy spent in training pay off for you now! Listen to your body as you run. Yay! Lizzie, Yay!

Irish Blue said...

Lizzie,
Happy Belated Birthday!! You look fabulously happy.

I can't wait to hear about your race!!! I hope all went well.