Weak Link by Jean James

Ok I know Wednesday has come and gone, but I’m on vacation with my family, so writing has become incredibly difficult.  All those damn kids want to do is swim and play and eat and run around.  Those conditions are not very condusive for my computer.  So I have a quick minute to update my Wednesday’s Weakest Link.

My past week of training has improved.  I managed to upgrade from the trail to the street, which I have found to be way more difficult, but most of my running in Oregon will be on the street.

I just had my first meeting with the group of people I’ll be running with.  They all seem cool.  They better be, I have to live in a van with complete strangers at my smelliest;  best to have a good sense of humor.  I’ve been given my assigned legs of the race, and for the most part I’ve lucked out.  Two of the three legs are looking good, but there’s one leg I’m afraid is going to either make me or break me.

My middle leg is 6.8 miles long, is rated as hard and has a one mile uphill grade at the beginning.  Oh yeah and did I mention I’ll be doing this at night.  The only thing I have working in my favor is the many years I’ve spent up all night as a nurse working the late shift.  Although at least then I could take a nap.

So far my max run has been 5 miles, so I really have to kick it up a notch this week and try for 6.  I’m also eating like shit since I’m on vacation and I’m eating out every meal.  Today was the first day I even ate a piece of fruit.  I am, however, doing a lot of swimming with the kids so I guess that’s something.

I was told at my runner’s group meeting that I have to provide my own energy stuff.  Any suggestions would be helpful.  Someone mentioned something called ‘goo’?  I don’t have a clue.  Also any suggestions for energy bars would be helpful too.  Because we are living out of these vans, food needs to be non-perishable.  Things like peanut butter, beef jerky and salami were mentioned as possible grocery list items.  If I had to run on a belly full of salami I just might puke my way to the finish line.  I have a funny feeling I’m going to come home a few pounds lighter.

The night after my runners meeting, I ended up going out to the Bryant Park Cafe in NYC for dinner.  The food was amazing.  They happened to have the Quinoa on the menu, but after that ‘dirt’ comment, I chickened out and got the Bronzino instead.  I’m sure I made the right decision.  But I’m not counting it out, just building up the courage.