I AM A MARATHONER

These are the words I have been repeating to myself for the last 16 weeks.

But first a catch up.

August 1 - 6

My Uncle Gayelynd pasted away after a long fight with Parkinson's disease. Some of my favourite things about Uncle Gayelynd is that he was one of the only men I know that wore a fisherman's hat. He loved hiking the same mountains that I do.With his passing my parents got to come home from their mission for a couple of days, it was like drinking nectar from the "Gods". I ran 18 miles that Friday. It is a moment for me as I greet the sun at the beginning of Waterton Park, I am here, I have arrived again at my life, and I love it. I feel my Uncle run with me, I ran it on Friday because the Parade was on Saturday. Fun as always, and beautiful weather.

August 7 - 13

Sara and I make our annual visit to the Children's Hospital. We are able to stay at the Ronald MacDonald House. It is hard to explain, you are staying in a place with people going through the hardest stuff, and yet here is a Haven for them. It completely restores your faith in humanity. We had a cater meal while there, also a reptile show, and a sweet couple help us make some bead projects. We were there Tuesday through Thursday. It was as always humbling. Sara did great, I love her, and love the secret time we get to spend with each other.

I run 20 miles on Friday because Jesse and I are going to Kalispell with our wonderful friends. While I run the 20 miles I ponder over the blessing of a healthy body and run with all the pictures on the wall of the Ronald MacDonald house, the pictures of the kids who are now able to run in Heaven.

I really chaffed bad at the end of the 20 miles which made it really hard to run my body was not tired my spirit was great but wow did that every hurt. It took me Saturday to recover. But I did it I now feel ready pumped and primed to run this marathon. After all, it is just six more miles, but it is often told that the last six miles of a marathon is the last 1/2 of the marathon. But you just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Sara not so impressed with the reptile show.

Well I have never done this before.

August 14 - 22

We going camping with my kids, 4 days in Kalispell, and 4 days in Great Falls. It is freezing at night and beautiful durning the day. This is one of the highlights of my summer, just being with the kids in nature. We spend the first four days with Jesse's family, and the next four with mine. Absolutely glorious. I start "tapering" so run 5, 8, 5, and then only 9 on Saturday. It feels great. I get to run in the Mountains and city streets.

I am so proud of myself for getting it all in there.

Beautiful scenery and kids.

Can't go camping without Kettle bells a work out on the road, I am telling you it is the perfect exercise solution.

This was so much fun.

August 23 - 31

I feel like a guilty man headed toward the gallows, the impeding starting of school, is already causing fights, and sadness around my house. We still get in some horse riding, school supply shopping, Waterton trips, and trips with other friends to finish up a glorious summer. I continue with the tapering. I go see Linda and we come up with a meal plan for the next two weeks. I get to choose what I want to eat and then just circle it. I decided to do this more for mental than physical. I just want to be able to know that I have done everything I can to help me succeed for this marathon. And succeed I WILL.

BREAKFAST

Eggs with mushrooms, peppers, and hash browns

Oatmeal with fruit and nuts

Smoothie with fibre bar

SNACK

Apples and peanut butter

Yogurt and apple sauce

Laughing cow cheese with pepper or carrots

Laughing cow cheese with bran crisp

Humus with snap peas, celery

Humus with bran crisp

LUNCH

Salad with nuts, chicken, fruit

Tuna wrap with salad

Stir fry with quina

Quina with salsa and cheese

SNACK

Apples and peanut butter

Yogurt and apple sauce

Laughing cow cheese with pepper or carrots

Laughing cow cheese with bran crisp

Humus with snap peas, celery

Humus with bran crisp

DINNER

Chicken with vegetables and rice or quina

Beans with qunia rice and veggies

Hawaiian haystacks

Taco’s

TREATS

Crystal light Watermelon

Dairy Queen frozen treats Freeze’s (3)

Am I nervous? Yeah, sure but not with anxiety, it is more like pent up energy, somewhat a kin to a race horse going into the gates.I have been using my mental video''s, positive self talk and deep breathing to get through this week. This has taken me 16 weeks to prepare for but really it has been in the making for 36 years.

So yes this is the chant in my head.

"I am a Marathoner. Running makes me powerful and I love it. I run four days a week. I never miss a training run. I love to run hills. I never quit on a run. I am healthy. I am strong. I love my body. I AM PREPARED TO FINISH.

I AM A MARATHONER AND HEAVENLY FATHER IS HELPING ME SUCCEED."

xoxo

Barb