Power Songs

Hello, New World!

As Heffe and I finish up week 8 of marathon training, we have found ourselves in quite the Midwestern Winter conundrum. It's cold as sssshhhhh and snowy and all kinds of White Witch Narnia. We can't run outside without risking super clumsy behavior and/or debilitating injuries. 

So. We get to train on treadmills! Yay!!!...  

I didn't know what I was capable of as a HUMAN until I had to train for my first marathon on a treadmill. Sure. It's easy to walk or run a few miles here or there, especially to warm up for a workout. However, spending 2-4 hours on a treadmill is a COMPLETELY different story. 

The first time I ran 6 miles was outside, and it flew by. The first time I ran 6 miles on a treadmill was torture. I've learned that during 60+minute treadmill runs, I NEED to get to a very very BLANK place in my own head... Somewhere between asleep and driving a long, quiet distance by myself... Oh, and I'm running the whole time, aka, trying to actually not fall off the machine, focusing on correct form, calm breathing, trying not to cramp, readjusting my clothing a million times because I sweat more indoors than out and my sports bra is leaving "vampire bites" on my rib cage, and wondering if those pains on my toes are blisters that will pop during the run or if I'll need to bust out a sewing needle to fix them after. If I can't get to this Blank Space... I'm stuck in the same place that wakes you up at 2:30am to ask you if you remember that time 3 weeks ago when you stuck your foot in your mouth, and wonder if your relationship with the cashier at Kroger will ever be the same. 

Something that I've found helps me find this Blank Space is finding RIGHTEOUS tunes. Nike+ (that I used to use) referred to these songs as "Power Songs". My Nike+ coach would say, "Tap a Power Song to get you to the next milestone." Don't mind if I do. 

Here are a few GEMS that are on every running list I've ever had. You are not allowed to judge or make fun of me for my choices. I'm sure whatever motivates you would not necessarily motivate me.

*The following list does NOT include some songs...  Thank you for NOTHING iCloud. I need to re-upload:

-"Defying Gravity" and "No Good Deed" from the musical, Wicked

-"Immortality" and "When You Look At Me" by Celine

And... in no particular order...

Okay, confession. I did pick this Kanye song to be last. Music is the food of love! Play on, play on, PLAY ON. My eternal optimistic outlook hasn't let me down yet. My whole point is that even though my feet are gross, I have weird aches, and "vampire bites" on my rib cage... I have something no one can make fun of me for or take away from me... I have pride that today I am stronger than I was yesterday. Stronger mentally, stronger physically, stronger emotionally. It sucks for now, and hopefully the weather breaks soon so I can enjoy a few weeks of training before the race... But at least I know, that since I'm taking care of myself, it's not going to killing me. Some might think it's weird or even borderline masochistic... But I KNOW this is making me stronger. 

What are your Power Songs? What helps you focus through a tough workout or long run? 

We gotta help each other!

Cheers :)

My Ode to a Clean Bathroom

Hello, New World!

It's Thursday, and this is the middle of the 6th week of marathon training!

I've run 121 miles in the past 6 weeks, and am pretty proud to say that (as of tonight) I've only skipped 4 runs for a total of 22 miles. Not too shabby for a busy Sciato!

I'd like congratulate myself on being a master of the universe for the following reasons:

1. I've seriously cut the booze out of my life. There have been a few nights of excessive inebriation, but compared to the 2 week eating and drinking BINGE that was winter break, I feel like a new woman!

2. I have packed my breakfast and lunch, and I have cooked dinner at least 4 nights a week since the beginning of the semester. Since I've been running an average of about 20 miles per week, Sciato's been HUNGRY... but has been good, and made sure to pack lots of fruits, veggies, and protein-packed snackies for in-between meals.

3. I have stayed on the straight and narrow and kept up with my to-do lists at school. Fire drills keep happening, but it is what it is...and I have effectively put my foot down. I have set realistic expectations for myself, and I am holding myself accountable for only doing what I can actually do. Balance, balance, balance. 

4. I have had at least 100 oz. of water a day for the better part of the last 6 weeks, and can feel dehydrated when I have even a little less than that.

I have health issues, this is no shock to anyone. One of the self-diagnosed issues I have is what I like to call "hyperactive instantaneous dehydration." I'm clearly overreacting, but it is a little crazy. Whether it is my OCD out of my habit of drinking so much water, or if it is a real physical thing, my body acts differently when I don't drink at least 80 oz of water a day. It's bad. Like we're talking if I have too much coffee and not enough water to balance it out (waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah), I feel hungover the next day. I feel it most in my stomach, and I get RLS, and my head ACHES when I don't drink enough water. 

So, I buy 2-3 gallon jugs of drinking water every week at the grocery store, and go through them all at school. I carry at least one water bottle with me at all times. I make sure to drink a FULL glass of water as soon as I wake up, and a FULL glass of water before I go to bed. 

All of this being said... besides the trail/treadmill, school, and my bed... the place where I have spent the most time in the past 6 weeks is...

Il bagno.

I have made ABSOLUTELY SURE to clean the porcelain thrones in my house every single week (if not more often than that) and I am ACUTELY aware of germs lurking in public places.

Ladies, I congratulate you on being the most disgusting creatures in the world. Seriously. It's sick. Having sore muscles from all the running 80% of the time only exacerbates the pain when trying to hold a squat for the amount of time it takes to get 100 oz of water out of my bladder. 

I'd like to take this opportunity to bow down to the ladies who have survived the teaching profession with fully functioning bladders. We DON'T get to pee whenever we want. It's a simple task that so many of us take for granted. Free flowing. It sucks and it sucks and it sucks some more. I can HARDLY EVER hold it for the 2.5 hours in the morning that I have my students without a break after morning coffee and about 40 oz of water. "Mrs. Kent, why are you sweating and walking funny?" "Because my legs are sore and my face is trying to sweat urine." #sciencelesson

My plea to YOU, New World...

IF YOU SPRINKLE WHEN YOU TINKLE PLEASE BE NEAT AND WIPE THE SEAT.

 WITH BLEACH. 

pleaseandthankyou.

I have yet to find a decently clean public restroom, but when I do... Oh New World, when I do... it will be like the end of a long run meets ice cream cake meets Friends marathon meets Justin Timberlake meets Pearly Gates.

Until I find my nirvana in an outhouse nutshell...

This is me, being over-hydrated me.... gotta run before I spring a leak...

Cheers ;)