See, the thing about telling people you're going to do something is that then you kinda have to do it. Especially if you invite them to come with you to do it and they SHOCKINGLY say yes!
Fifteen people from ten states have thus far signed up to walk/run/crawl the famed Flying Pig half-marathon in Cincinnati with me and Emma on May 3, 2009!
I've never done anything like this in my life and I'm not a runner or even much of a walker and I don't really like crowds and today I completely lost it when I realized that it is just 93 days away but hey, thanks to my friend Mary I've decided to be ENERGIZED by that time frame instead of panicked beyond belief. And if I say that enough times, perhaps I will even believe it.
That's all to say this--don't you want to come with us? We'll wear funky 37days Team t-shirts designed by Emma and get up at the crack of dawn to climb the hills of Cincinnati (I thought it was flat, it is sorta not), just to say we did. We'll raise money for a fabulous charity (more on that later). Some of us will walk the race and some will run it. It will be all kinds of fun. Mr Brilliant and Tessie will be there with big cowbells to cheer us on. If we survive, we'll eat big vats of pasta on Sunday night after the race and toast ourselves silly.
If you're inclined, the registration fee for the race will increase after January 31st (Saturday), so best to do it now. Plus, like having kids, if you think about it too long or try to be all rational about it, you'll never do it. Best to leap!
Come! We'll have all kinds of fun!
If you're going to be in the Flying Pig Marathon...I sure hope your book is in our local bookstore The Flying Pig Bookstore.
http://www.flyingpigbooks.com/. This will be good marketing for your book :)
Posted by: Valarie | 30 January 2009 at 08:11
You had me until "get up at the crack of dawn to climb the hills of Cincinnati." Lots o' luck to all those energetic souls.
Posted by: Lila Wells | 30 January 2009 at 11:30
Okay...I understand insanity, as I have decades of experience in coping with it (or failing to). What I don't understand is the fact that there is no info in your post, Patti, on how one can order a t-shirt to be with you guys not only in spirit, but in clothing, too!
Emma's design is delightful. So, dish! How do I buy one?
Posted by: Rick | 30 January 2009 at 22:17
Hi Patti,
Oink, oink count me in! I just finished registering for the half-marathon and writing on my blog about the spontaneous madness that overcame me this morning.
Your blog and book are true inspirations and make me feel like I've known you for years. I'm looking forward to meeting you in person and wearing my "37 Days" t-shirt on May 3. Happy Training!
Posted by: Lisa | 02 February 2009 at 14:55
What? This half marathon is in the MORNING?? You didn't tell me that part!
Posted by: Delaney Kirk | 04 February 2009 at 22:25
Hi Patty!
I'm a long-time reader/lurker who decided to come out of the woodwork to offer advice. Will this sound picky? I hope not...
Please, please for your own benefit... carb-load BEFORE the race, not after. So, starting about a week and a half before the race, every day you need to have a bowl of pasta. Preferably wheat pasta, just because it's better for you. Stick to fish and chicken during this week, too. Wait, you're vegetarian, right? Well, soy fish or tofu chicken, then. No junk food!
AFTER the race, it's a free-for-all, girl! For the two days or so following the race (should I call it an "event?"), you'll be as hungry as a horse, and feel free to gorge. You'll want to replenish carbs, yes, but I promise you'll crave protein, too. And chocolate cake. And you should treat yourself to anything you want to eat!
The key, though, is to carb up for 7 to 10 days BEFORE the event.
I'd love to join you but am healing a knee injury... care to swim or bike with me? There's a 100-mile bike ride over the summer from Lenoir to Mt Mitchell, if you want to sign up...
:-)
Love,
Ashley
Posted by: ashley | 05 February 2009 at 21:22
I just completed my first 1/2 marathon (in miami) in January and I was neither a runner or a more-than-4-mile-walker in October. It was an amazing experience; setting an audacious goal and raising all sorts of cash for a charity at the same time is really something. Can't wait to hear about your process and the event. :)
Deb
Posted by: deb | 11 February 2009 at 23:58