Week 19 - Gather the Team

I'm the type of person who can't do anything half-way.  So if I'm gonna run my first marathon, I'm gonna do it in style.

I'm trying to think back at the origins of the Pink Turtle name, and I'm pretty sure Jim came up with it at my first 10k.  I was decked out in pink running gear, head to ankle (darn Stability Shoes...why don't you come in pink?).  So to honor the fact that we're all headed down to the Disney Marathon Weekend together (some doing the 5k), the runners in my family have come up with some names of their own - all of us making up "Team Turtle"!  My sister Suzanne is Blue Snail.  My mom Jean is Purple Phoenix (she says she rose from the ashes to become a runner).  Mike is Red Rhino, and Jim is Black Stallion.  My mother-in law (who isn't able to come to the race but who will be representing on the west coast in support) also got in the game and named herself White Bunny!  James-Allen & Mike worked together to get the Team Turtle logo & names on shirts, pins, and bumper stickers.   Oh yes, a CafePress order has been placed. 

I know this is completely ridiculous and over-the-top, but so it running 26.2 miles for the first time. 

Here in Napa, life is good.  But so is the wine!  Week 19 tapering...both good and bad.

Good Turtle:
1.Eating more protein than usual.
2.Relaxing because I'm off of work.
3.Looking over my marathon plan and getting my head in the right place.
4.Doing my runs in beautiful scenery and weather in which I'm not freezing my shell off.

Bad Turtle:
1.Eating lots of Christmas cookies and junk.
2.Not sleeping enough...too much fun to be had here!
3.Too much wine tasting...cause that's what you do in Napa!
4.Freaked I'm going to get sick, since Jim has come down with a nasty cold...and see points 1-3 under "Bad Turtle".

On Monday, I had a fabulous run.  30-minutes around the streets of Yountville, no problem.  My pace was pretty good, considering I did 2-1 intervals.  I was so excited and happy on this run...the marathon is almost here!

On Wednesday, my 3-minute run felt completely different.  For no reason, my legs were sluggish and my breath labored.  It's a good reminder that I need to be getting extra sleep and take care of myself.

Thursday was New Years Eve.  We spent an amazing day hitting several wineries - tasting and laughing with dear friends.  We rang in 2010 with the family over a beautiful dinner and a Texas hold 'Em match.  I almost won a whopping 25 bones to spend at the Marathon Expo, but the Turtle came in second.  Oh well, that's what credit cards are for:)

On Friday, I quit alcohol.  Not forever, but just until the race. 

VERY HARD TO DO IN THE NAPA VALLEY.  I miss you already, buttery chardonnay.

But I have less than 10 days to go.  As I can't improve my running fitness in this time, I may as well start hydrating and detox.  On Saturday, I did my final "long" run - an easy 6-miler.  I ran by mustard flowers in bloom, a hot air balloon launch, cabernet sauvignon vineyards, and an ancient Indian burial ground. 

Toto, I don't think we're in Manhattan anymore!

I listened to Gordon's Disney Marathon race recap from last year, and I got all choked up just thinking about it all. I am ready (or at least I will be next Sunday)!

Only sixty minutes of running separates me from the starting line.

Sarathon or bust!