Deep Freeze

76 days left to count down... seems like the time is flying by. It's kind of bitter sweet. As excited as I am for my big day to arrive, it seems a little bit sad that I only have 76 more days to live in the greatest anticipation that one could experience. Must enjoy every moment! While I'm on the topic of count downs... I only have 43 more practicum shifts, which in theory is only 41 cause I'm pretty sure I won't be able to make it to the April 17th and 18th shifts that I'm scheduled for, and I should have enough hours to just be "sick" (as if EVERYONE that I work with isn't well aware that I'm not sick). As for my job, I can't really say how many shifts are left as I haven't decided on a definitive quit date. I should be hearing about Respiratory Therapy jobs later this month (please send good references), in which case I will decide if perhaps I can survive one income-less month, then I will quit for the beginning of April. If my responsible, money hungry, self dominates, I'll work until the end of April. Decisions, decisions...

Last week Calgary experienced a small taste of spring. I tried so hard not to let myself enjoy it too much, as I was certain that old man winter would make an appearance again. As it turns out, he did, particularly when I woke up to -32 degrees and about 17 feet of snow this morning (and all weekend). However, for the glorious sunshiney +12 degrees week we had I couldn't contain my running legs and did two long runs, back to back, on my days off. Last Tuesday I ran 34 km in 2:55, 5:15 min/km (did not intend on that distance but just could not contain myself), then 24 km on Wednesday (approx 2 hours, 5 min/km). It was heaven. Then the deep freeze rolled around and I just couldn't consciously run in the extremely icy conditions without feeling incredibly irresponsible (please note: broken elbow from said conditions in 2007), so I succumbed to a treadmill run (shutter), only the 3rd one this winter, which is pretty good. Luckily the snow plows (aka husbands) are out in full force, and the sidewalks are clear again. Thank God! Now just to deal with the temperatures...

With my race date fast approaching, I have started to consider that my deadline for "race-day-apparel" is fast approaching. This decision is obviously right up there with husband-selection and first-time-home purchasing. This leads me to various panic attacks. Without a well thought out, tested, game plan in this situation, it really could make or break the entire future of my memory bank. Consider this: I complete Boston marathon (#1 on Jacquelyn's bucket list, life long bragging rights) wearing out-of-date, ill-fitting, clashing attire. I might as well just stay home and work those two ER shifts that I'll be "sick" for. I ran in to this problem during my Ironman seasons. I was NOT into the typical triathlon-unitard. Not that I'm against unitards, in fact, the idea of it intrigues me. The issue for me is that I suffer from shy-bladder disease and I need full on bathroom breaks (that involve actually sitting on the germ infested port-au-privy seat, after thoroughly lacing with TP) for complete bladder draining. I can't imagine having to undress and redress the unitard for every pee break. I am incapable of peeing on the bike (and yes, it does happen). I had to really shop around to find comfortable, bathroom friendly, triathlon attire. I'm also picky in the t-shirt/tank top department, as I tend to be on the warmer side (as in, prefer tank tops), but tend to get armpit "chub rub" after my bodyglide has worn off (usually around hour 2). My abnormal pain tolerance doesn't usually notice it until I have blood dripping down my side and saturating my torso. Never good for the finish-line picture. I am fairly certain that I will wear my favorite running shorts, the standard Nike running shorts, as they are my favorite and I have them in every color, so lots to choose from (by every color, I mean every shade of pink, and one pair of purple). I've never suffered from inner thigh "chub rub", which is a relief, as I definately prefer shorts to tights (weather permitting) when I run.

Not that I'm not a huge fan of Lululemon, and they have great stuff - but sometimes I do find that their stuff (although great quality) is far more fashionable than functional - low waist, daisy duke running shorts are not really functional, nor are plunging neck lines. Just saying.... But the availability of various pink hues attracts my attention at an alarming rate.

I'm not suggesting that I need to actually go out and buy a new outfit for this race (but who are we kidding... I probably will), however I do need to consider all my options and start seriously considering my game plan. Of course weather will contribute just slightly, but like I mentioned, I am a running "hot body", which is helpful for my thermoregulation and helpful for "spring weather variability". As for the post race outfit - The Boston marathon jacket debut - obviously (did I really even need to write this), laurel wreath (depending on my 1st place success, but if I'm being positive) and medal.

Alison recently finished reading the 26 Miles to Boston book that I bought a few months ago, and now she is thoroughly versed in Boston lingo which has proved helpful to make us look outstandingly cultured at various social events recently. Doesn't everyone know all about the Citgo sign? No? Well... we do.

...One mile left....

Double Digits

It's a new year, and that usually means New Year's resolutions, new gym memberships, healthy eating gallore - all that end usually around January 15th. Which is precisely why I'm not really a new year's resolution type person. Luckily, I quite enjoy the whole healthy living concept, not that I'm perfect, but enough that nothing changes for me in January. Ultimately, it kills me to not complete a goal, and it equally kills me if the goal is not truly challenging. So I guess that means new year's resolutions are just impossible for me. But I do have much to look forward to this year, so that certainly starts my year off great, with a moment of reflection.



This year I turn 28 (actually, this month - please send presents). This means that I can no longer be in my "mid-twenties", there is no more trying to classify myself in the "young adults" section... I will be an official "late-twenties" adult. Actually, I'm looking forward to it. Unlike many who dread their 30th, 40th, or 50th birthday - I can't wait to bring it on (not that I want to rush it). There are two reasons for this: 1. The older you are, the more judgemental you are allowed to be of the younger generation (I just can't wait!), but more significantly 2. An endurance runner peaks in their 30's. That's right - the best is yet to come for me. There might even be a sub 3 hour marathon in my future, we'll just have to wait and see what my age and wisdom will do to my hamstrings. I'm going to run a 100 km ultra marathon before I turn 30 - which means time is ticking.... (but of course - this year I must revel in my Boston glory, so it will have to be a 29 year old goal - I'm thinking the Elk Lake 100 km ultra in May 2012, then AR can carry me home and feed me one of her fabulous meals after!).



Also this year, I will finally, FINALLY, complete my post secondary studies. This has been a long time coming - and it is time! If I have to make another tuition payment, I will die, literally, I. Will. Die. Luckily, I finished off 2010 with my FINAL tuition payment, it felt SO good. I now await the $40,000 piece of paper that will be hanging on my wall in a few short months - the piece of paper telling me that I am competent of critical thinking (or whatever else they say you learn in school). This will also mean that as of April 30th, I will only have to work 40 hours a week (if that), to be a valuable, employed citizen of Calgary, what shall I do with all my extra time? I have decided to throw myself a graduation party, I'm not entirely sure what this will entail, but if anything, it will give me a moment of reflection on what the last 10 years of university have taught me. To name a few things: 1. I know what it's like to be broke. 2. I somehow became a coffee drinker (but still not sure if that was because of my Microbiology major, or because of the night shifts). 3. I know the entire periodic table by heart. 4. I am capable of interpreting a chest xray. 5. I may not have always been the best student in the class, but I never once failed a test, asked for an extension on an assignment or handed something in late. I met some great school friends, particularly because my theory of finding the least popular person to be your lab partner is genius. Some of the smartest people I've ever met. Only 55 more 12 hour shifts of my practicum and 34 more 8 hour shifts of my job (too soon to start the countdown?).



Lastly, this year is my Boston year. After running my first marathon in 2002, this has been 9 years in the making! In only 99 days (down to double digits!!) I will be shuttled out to Hopkington, where I will join the world's best marathon runner's for an all-to-brief show of beautiful legs. Except this year, I will be one of those marathon runners. I'll get to strut my stuff through Hopkington, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline, then finally.... cross the glorious finish line in Boston where I will recieve my laurel wreath - assuming I come in first place, but I'll settle for a finishers medal and jacket if I don't quite make it to first place. It's almost too much excitement for one day. I hope I can handle it.



I guess this only brings me up to the end of April, which means that 2011 will have to produce much more excitement for me, or else heaven-forbid I get bored! I'm sure there is a ton more greatness in store for my year. In fact, I am already thinking about the wonderful things I am going to plant in my vegetable garden and what flowers I will use in my pots this year. Also, the Annual Neary Family vacation will be in July this year, my usual summer highlight. Plus Christmas 2011 will be spent with a massive hoard of Neary women, when my cousins and Aunt come to the mountains for a family Christmas. That many Neary women in one place together is almost too much brillance for the very few men to deal with. I like the way this year is turning out already - 51 more weeks to enjoy!



As for my usual running report: I ran 88 km last week cause it was gorgeous outside and I only worked 3 of the 7 days, of course, I thoroughly enjoyed every spare moment I had. Now that I'm back to usual schedule and January busy-ness, I'll just accomplish what I can, when I can (which, or course, always seems to be enough to keep me sane). Today I ran 25km in 2:08, which is 5.15 min/km. I was actually shocked about this cause I was feeling particularly exhausted and I ran the entire 25km through gale force winds (literally), blowing snow, and -18 degrees with the wind chill. Sometimes I felt like I wasn't moving, but it turns out, afterall, I was actually moving. I've contemplated my Boston race plan quite a bit over the last few months, and I've come to the decision, for various reasons, that this race will be for the experience. I'm taking my camera with me, and enjoying all 26.2 miles, no matter how long it takes me. I will redeem myself with a sub 3:30 marathon on the next one.....

If we have to survive a prairie winter, then we might as well enjoy it!

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