Friday, October 17, 2008

This time tomorrow...

...I'll be around mile 5 of the race. Holy crap.

At this moment, the calm before the storm is here. I took the day off work so I could relax, attend the fitness expo, and mentally prepare myself for the race.

Now, I'm going to ask everyone a favor. Could you leave me a comment, just a sentence or two, with something I can think of during the tough moments of the race? It can be funny, inspirational, cheesy...preferably not mean.

I hope all the lurkers will come out of their lurking closets as well. I need you!

35 comments:

Kelly said...

What I say to myself when I am running and it is getting too tought to bear is, "I am not a quitter! I am a fighter!"

I just say it with the rythym of my breath. Morgan, you CAN do this. You have put in the work. Now it is time for the reward. I watched THE SPIRIT OF THE MARATHON last night. You remind me of Lori. You are strong, and you truly are an inspiration!

Topher said...

WaaAAAAAAA!I can't believe the time's here! I took today off, too, and all next week. Maybe we'll bump into you at the expo today. If not, I'll see you at 6:30 at the CC Info Desk tomorrow.

Here's a phrase my wife and I came up with a few years ago when we started losing weight.

"Take that, fat genes!" (I didn't misspell it; it just has a double meaning)

SeaShore said...

You rock! Look how far you've come. Way back when did you ever think you'd be running a freakin' marathon!? Say it with me: MORGAN ROCKS!! *cue theme from Rocky*

Good luck!

Liz said...

Well....my favorite lyric of all time when I am crashing during a run is from Bruce..."Tramps like us, baby we were born to run" It always leaves a smile on my face. Good luck and HAVE FUN!!!!

Amanda said...

When I was running my last race and it got tough, I mentally added up the race miles I had ran this year so far(22.4, paltry compared to your total I'm sure!) and that number was my mantra. It was just a constant reminder of what I had accomplished and what I was capable of. Best of luck!

Anonymous said...

I'm a lurker but since you said you needed me, I'm here.

I am training for a half marathon in December and as my runs get longer I think what have I gotten myself into :) I can only imagine how you feel. (U CAN DO IT) This is something no one can take from you. How awesome is that?? The biggest "high" I get from running is the feed back I get from other people (non runners) that are amazed at my discipline to keep on running. Having a race scheduled helps to keep you on track too.
Just remember... YOU GOT THIS! Good Luck tomorrow, I can't wait to get to work on Monday and read ALL about your BIG Day!

Anonymous said...

Morgan,

I just found this quote, and I have been saying it to myself ever since.....
"There will be a day when I can no longer do this (aka run)....Today is NOT that day!"......

All the best to you!!! Can't wait to hear all about it!

Cara in Colorado

Randi said...

gwell! I found your blog, who knows how now!, but you are such an inspiration!! i love reading it... once thing I was always told, if you think about something different every mile, it makes that next mile not seem so long. different thought on a subject for that mile. try not to repeat thoughts! you would be surprised what you think about! good luck!!

WWSuzi said...

I always think of the song on biggest loser "what have you done today to make yourself proud" what more can i say :) I know you can and will do it! Go girl and kick some ass :)

Anonymous said...

I'm a lurker who never comments but thought today was a good day to start! Good luck tomorrow!

Here's a lyric I love: "Sometimes the only way is jumping, I hope your not afraid of heights."

Anonymous said...

Morgan, you will be fabulous tomorrow, you can do it!! I just know it!! I love this song when running and usually kick it up a notch when I hear it: Destiny's Child "Im a survivor"

"I'm a survivor, I'm not gonna give up, I'm not gon' stop,I'm gonna work harder, I'm a survivor,
I'm gonna make it"

If that doesn't work, my Brother in Law's idea of making it through a marathon is to pick out a nice ass and follow it the entire way! Know that Deanna in NY will be thinking of you tomorrow ! Kick butt!!

Anonymous said...

OK Morgan, this verse is in Eladio's "handbook" so you've probably already seen it, but I absolutely love it. I have printed it and it hangs in my home office. Think of this on Sunset Hill!

The Hill - Dr. George Sheehan
...And I know I'm made for more
And by becoming more, I am challenged to choose suffering, to endure pain, to bear hardship.

At first, the gentle swell... But gradually the Hill demands more and more. I have reached the end of my physiology, the end of what is possible, and now it is beyond what I can stand. The temptation is to say "enough." This much is enough, but I will not give in.

I am fighting God. Fighting the limitations He gave me. Fighting the pain. Fighting the unfairness. Fighting all the evil in me and the world. And I will not give in. I will conquer the Hill and I will conquer it alone.

You'll do great - you'll do yourself and all of us proud!! See you tomorrow.

Pritha

Anonymous said...

Oh crap! You said a sentence or two - and I put in a whole poem :)

P

Anonymous said...

You can think about how great it is going to feel to tell us all about your adventure!

And of course, "I KNOW I CAN DO THIS!!!"

Unknown said...

Just keep going. Be it running, eating well, whatever, just keep going.

Also since I have a knee problem I chant to myself knee over ankle, knee over ankle. Might not work for you, but keeps me going and focusig on form.

Anonymous said...

De-lurking just to say that you can totally do this, and I can't wait to read about it once you have! I'm a very beginning runner and you are a complete inspiration. No good mantras, but since reading your entry I've had the Biggest Loser's 'what have you done today to make you feel proud' going around and around, maybe that could kick in for you at mile 22?

Anonymous said...

Take whatever positive mantra you've used in the past long training runs and save it for serious repetition starting around mile 18 and full on cycling at mile 21. You can do it. You know you can. You've trained for it. You're prepared. We all support you!

SeaShore said...

I forgot my favourite when I feel myself giving up or giving in: "suck it up, princess!"

But you won't need that one!

Anonymous said...

Ditto Destiny's Child. I always kick it up when I hear that song.
You'll do awesome! You are SO ready for this. Think of all the people in the world who will never run a marathon. You're like in the 1% of the population.
Think about what you were doing 2 years ago today and how far you've come.
Think about how you're going to feel at the finish line.
Imagine all of us standing along the race course cheering for you.

Anonymous said...

Morgan - I started listening to a book on tape today about running. One of the first things they said was when running a marathon pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional. A little frightening but also a reminder that the last miles will be mind over matter. Can't wait to run with you for a few miles tomorrow. You'll be awesome. Thanks for being such a great example to so many! Hugs!

Anonymous said...

That last comment about the book on tape was from me, sorry I didn't hit the right button to leave my name!! - Mandy

melancholic smirk said...

I'm usually a lurker, but I want to say that you are so inspiring. Think about how you will feel when you cross that finish line. Imagine the look on your face (that they will take a picture of for posterity) when you are approaching the end. Mission Accomplished.

Scott Kahler said...

Morgan,

You're an inspiration to a lot more people than you realize. It's not just weight loss or running, but the "I can do this" and then going out and doing it.

I don't have any experience in the running department. All I can say is that when the you hit a wall and it looks tough to go on, look back at what you have done before, other things which seemed impossible and you have beaten. Push through the pain of now for the joy it will bring tomorrow.

Unknown said...

The thing that helped me in my one race thus far was counting my steps from 1-10 and then repeating. You just keep counting to 10 over and over and eventually you almost do the work automatically. And before you know it, you're at the finish! That's how it was for me! GL and have fun!

Anonymous said...

Well...I'd tell you to just imagine everyone is naked...but really. That doesn't work in running does it? Because that's kinda gross and there would be stuff flopping everywhere and that might make you wanna throw up...and really...if I'm gonna throw up during a race I'd rather it be at the end from overexertion than from imagining my running counterparts naked. LOL. There...is that something to think about during the race? Oh crap. Laughing and running aren't very good things to do at the same time. oh well. Good luck. From someone you've been inspring for about a month now. *Penny

www.xanga.com/thentherewerefive

Kristin said...

I am giving you the words of my favorite running song, "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen (better if you listen to the song itself, of course). (And you might omit the "sex machine" part--or not!)

Tonight Im gonna have myself a real good time
I feel alive and the world turning inside out yeah!
And floating around in ecstasy
So dont stop me now dont stop me
cause Im having a good time having a good time

Im a shooting star leaping through the sky
Like a tiger defying the laws of gravity
Im a racing car passing by like lady godiva
Im gonna go go go
Theres no stopping me

Im burning through the sky yeah!
Two hundred degrees
Thats why they call me mister fahrenheit
Im travling at the speed of light
I wanna make a supersonic man out of you

Dont stop me now Im having such a good time
Im having a ball dont stop me now
If you wanna have a good time just give me a call
Dont stop me now (cause Im havin a good time)
Dont stop me now (yes Im havin a good time)
I dont want to stop at all

Im a rocket ship on my way to mars
On a collision course
I am a satellite Im out of control
I am a sex machine ready to reload
Like an atom bomb about to
Oh oh oh oh oh explode
Im burning through the sky yeah!
Two hundred degrees
Thats why they call me mister fahrenheit
Im travling at the speed of light
I wanna make a supersonic woman of you

GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!!!

Anonymous said...

What you already know is that you can and will do this. Don't forget to enjoy the journey - enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells. Envision crossing the finish line. We're all cheering for you and want you to finish!

ashley said...

Successful people compare themselves to their goals. Unsuccessful people compare themselves to others. It's all about you tomorrow.

Just finish. Nothing else matters.

desertrunnergirl said...

Feel the fear..do it anyway.

(from Biggest Loser)

Best of luck Morgan and HAVE FUN!! Remember you are doing something that so few people can do. There are going to be low moments but they will be mixed in with incredibly joyful moments. Go to the joy! We are sending you lots of positive vibes!

Anonymous said...

Wishing you all the best. In awe of your achievement.

PerfectMomentProject said...

How to you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Break it down into little bites and eat them up: Next mile, next corner, next telephone pole.
Break it down. Have fun.

Anonymous said...

Yea, Morgan! It's finally here!!

What I say to myself, through the pain . . . I'm so lucky to be able to do this.

Anonymous said...

Better late than never? Just wanted to let you know that you are a hero to one long-time lurker.
I admire your commitment, honesty, humor, strength -- have a little faith in yourself today because we all know you can do this!

desertrunnergirl said...

Hi Morgan - you're doing it RIGHT NOW!! I ran 18 miles this morning and thought about you, knowing you were out there and running your marathon. Can't wait to hear how it went!! Stalking your blog for an update....!!!

Truman Tales said...

Delurking just to say congratulations! You did it! What a great life accomplishment, and I'm happy you had the support of your loved ones throughout the race.

~ Angela