One Week to Go

This is it: the final countdown.

Cue the swelling violins and the training montage, preferably in slow-motion.

I had my swarthy crew meet for a race briefing, and they wouldn't sit still until I plied them with beer. I guess this means I'll be bringing a keg with me to the aid stations just so they will stay focused.

Feeling nervous, excited, and ready.

Cross-Training, Beach Weenie Style

Last weekend my mom and I made the three hour drive to visit my oldest brother and his wife in Kill Devil Hills, NC. It's been more than a year since we've seen them - too damn long! - and it was about time we got our butts down there. As usual, Rob and Deb were gracious hosts, giving Mom lots of prompts to tell stories and me free reign in the refrigerator. Very important.

I managed to squeeze in morning runs and enjoyed the pleasant weather and salty air. But the real Brannan-Snyder athleticism was demonstrated in the following ways:

1. Fighting the current, even while standing
2. Struggling to keep one's bathing suit on in the shore break
3. Robbie's extreme body surfing
4. Saturday afternoon wind sprints on the beach (bra optional)
5. Variations on getting over waves (belly flop, front flip, etc.)
6. Panic attack / heart palpitations (always a good workout)
7. Fishing sand out of various orifices post-swim

The First Taper I've Liked

Running 50-60 miles a week is a good way to gear up for a nice, long taper. Usually I'm fussy and ornrey leading up to a race, but now I'm enjoying a break from getting up in the dark, being worn-out and famished at work, and spending so much time away from my peeps, two- and four-legged.

Having said that, each time I think about the race, I get a little wild-eyed. It's getting so close, and as usual, I feel ill-prepared. At least I don't have a specific time goal - it makes me more relaxed. And I've made a promise to myself not to push through an injury beyond blisters or chafe.

Work Out Like a Communist

After watching the Olympics and learning about the host country for a few days, I've decided (with Dave's agreement) that I would make an excellent Chinese athlete.

I would've been very happy to be selected at age three and pushed to workout all day for many years, eventually receive the adoration of my hugely populated country.

My work ethic would have been a perfect match. For example: in college, not only did I work out with my rowing team for 3-4 hours a day, but I also ran to practice and back (and on the weekends), trained obsessively over school breaks, and woke up early a few days a week to work out on my own before practice.

There's only one problem: I don't seem to be built to be excellent at any one sport. I'm good at most sports I've tried, mostly because I try so damn hard. But what sport wants a tall-ish girl with big hips and no fast-twitch muscle fibers? Long track speed skating?

In lieu of performing at an elite level, I've taken advantage of my determination by throwing myself into many different sports: dance, swimming, weightlifting, tennis, horseback riding, running, rowing, etc. And I don't have chronic injuries like many elites do because of the variety.

Ode to the Summer Olympics

As I write, the American men's water polo team is playing China (hotties all around) behind me on the little TV. I've also watched rowing this morning, which is exciting for me because I was a Division I rower in college, and I know two of the girls on the team.

Like many recreational athletes, I've been anticipating the Olympics for months. My feelings of excitement have been tainted by concern over the fact that they're in China. (HELLO! Who thought this was a good idea? Does the world not understand that they're a communist country with a [recent] history of severe human rights violations?!) But I'm excited none the less.

One of my reasons for wanting to watch the Games constantly is that I love to see people work hard toward a goal, especially those who have great stories: too old, too short, too young, too tall. If they have to overcome obstacles and can thus be put into an Olympics montage, I'm all over it.

My other reason to watch is that the Olympics gives us a brief chance to watch sports and activities that don't suck (like those other sucky sports Americans love: football especially), and I we to see some obscure stuff. I've had a little taste of equestrian, archery, swimming, gymnastics, fencing, cycling, weightlifting, volleyball, etc.

Finally, the Games are the perfect motivation for us not-so-world-class athletes. I'm in the beginning of my taper and the countdown to the race. Watching clips of Dara Torres train or seeing those petite female weightlifters throw around hundreds of pounds is just the inspiration I need for my own final push. Three cheers to the athletes; boo to China.

Officially the Longest Run Evaaa!

Saturday I ran for 3 hours; Sunday I ran for 5.
I covered about 42+ miles over those two days.
And I lived to tell the (very short) tale!

I'll have more to say when I'm not rushing out the door, but I wanted to brag before I left.