BUT, you have persuaded me.........I just registerd for the Sierre-Zinal. I was supposed to do the Nyon Triathlon that weekend, but as you know I never get up an opportunity to get out in the mountains.

See you all there.

Hillmuncher

Dear Fellow Runners,

Today is July 28 which means we are 2 months away from the big day to the GENEVA MARATHON! Yeah!  Is everyone ready!? Is everyone excited!? This next two months will be the hardest for me, as I try to muster up all my energy to run everyday and add a long run at the end of the week, not to mention, eat well, drink my waters, take my vitamins and try to sleep 8 hours a day. HA!  

I can’t help but focus on key words that have shaped my training days – tell me if you agree:

• Vasoline
• Bruised toe nails
• Water and more water
• Nearest bathroom
• Muscle ointment (BEN GAY)
• Ibuprofen
• Carbs, carbs, carbs
• Sleep
• Hot bathes
• Good shoes
• Chafing
• Blisters
• IPOD- I couldn't do it without you!

It would be great to hear how everyone is doing, what you are experiencing in your training, challenges/accomplishments, or just share a good pep talk.   I am looking forward to meeting the group when I am there.  I wish you all a fabulous 2 months of hard core training.  Have fun! Good luck!

Angie

Angie,

Inguries and medications should not be part of a marathon training. A marathon is a hard thing for sure. But it should be prepared very gradually, with no pain but some sore muscles, and, most of all, FUN! Sport is something you should enjoy. If you see the marathon as a war you should try to survive through, to me, you're wrong. I don't know your precise usage of Ibuprofen. But it kind of wories me to see it amongst your regular items. It is not (yet) a banned substance by the Anti-Doping agency, agreed. But as a matter of fact, it can be a bad usage, as it is a well known issue that amateur athletes self-medicate useless or potentially dangerous subtances more than we would imagine (http://www.theathlete.org/doping-in-sport.htm)

For all that, if you have pain, it means your body is sending you a message: "I had too much of this, or too little of that". Muzzle it with Ibuprofen, or adapt your training schedule; your call, and my two cents.

Enjoy your training!

Thanks for your concern, my friend.  No worries.  I didn’t mean to give you the wrong impression.  On the contrary, I am having the best time training for this marathon than any others I’ve done in the past, probably because of the great people I’ve met through this forum.  I’ve never felt better and stronger and so far, free from any injuries. I must be doing something right after all these years.

As they say in the sports world, “No pain, No gain” – the idea that athletes must work hard and feel discomfort in order to improve physical fitness. A wise athlete will listen to his/her body and learn to distinguish between the symptoms indicating harmful overtraining and those which are the natural result of beneficial exertion.  (I practice the latter).  The idea that life has its struggles but if we work through them (whether physical, mental, or emotional), positive results can be achieved.  That’s what running represents for me. It’s the personal achievement that tends to rule my sense of well being.  So, I won’t give it up easily, despite any defeatist attitudes. I’m no quitter. I’m marching on!

As for Ibuprofen – if you really must know – it is effective when experiencing female cramps, as I (and many other women) tend to experience once a month.  I’m sure the Anti-Doping agency would empathize with me on this one.

Happy training -  60 days to go ‘til the big day…. But who’s counting?

Dear All,

Hope you are well, enjoying the wonderful weather and of course the training 

Thank you for all your inputs, Hillmuncher how wonderful that you join us for the Sierre-Zinal Marathon. Sandholm, are we going to see you too?

I will follow  in my brother’s footsteps; he has done the Sierre- Zinal Marathon 7 times. (5 times in the tourist class and twice with the Pro’s) Just some tips, take it really easy for the first 7 ½ km, it’s taff…

Enjoy the event, enjoy the scenery, and do it at your own pace…there is a massage place  half way through the Marathon (Weisshorn). Make sure you have a high level sun block, and shoes with good profiles.

As to the sleeping arrangements, ( in a hall, with lots of others, sleeping bag)  I wish I would have been a scout like my daughter, or at least have joined Tinkie in on of her camping trips.  We will start at 5am in the morning, so this means wake up time 3am…(I apologize already in advance, I can NOT speak first thing in the morning)

As to my training progress, I feel that I’m doing ok, did “the slow up” in Geneva last Sunday, I walked 30 km in 4 hours. Passed 100’s of cycling people, heard: “Courage” or “how many hours do you do in an hour”?  Meet haeager on the middle of the way, thank you for the positive feed back…

I still can not believe I managed to do 30km, was really tired on Sunday evening, no pain, and only one small blister to report.

Guys, don’t forget we meet again this evening at 19h30 in front of Bain de Paquis, (Quai Wilson, not far away from the Kempinski and President Wilson)

And the best news so far, the weather forecast looks good for Sunday, 10^th August.

Wishing you a great day.

Signed,

The happiest girl in town

Dear All,

I hope that I will still be sooo happy after the Zinal-Sierre Marathon, but at the moment I’m just excited, and really looking forward to my FIRST Marathon, and this two days before I turn 47. As you can see it’s never too late to start something new…

I have heard last night that we are 6 “glocals” taking part in this Marathon, which is just wonderful news. Kassari thank you for organizing it, and yes, I’ve seen all our names on the start list.

I’m looking forward to Sierre-Zinal, a brand-new experience…

And to all of you out there, thank you for all your support, a special THANK YOU goes to the Marathon training group!