e-mail: December 16

mollyjo.com

marathon home

December 16, 1999

This is my second attempt at this month's update. When I wrote the first one about a week ago, I was tired, tired, tired. I was tired of being sore, tired of getting up at 4:45 am, tired of missing all the holiday parties and food, just physically and mentally exhausted and frequently on the edge of tears...as a result, my letter was a giant whine. Last month, I was so up, so euphoric, so pumped that I forgot that what goes up, also comes down. And so, this month, I crashed. And my 21 mile training session loomed ahead.

Well, as you can tell by the fact that I'm writing this, I not only survived it all, but am doing quite well, thank you very much. Rest and lots to eat (proteins, carbs, and water) was all I needed to finish the 21 miles (complete with the Key Biscayne bridge over and back)!! And we did it in just over a 16 minute mile which is what is required for Disney. As I mentioned, we need to finish in 7 hours….we would have clocked in at 7:04. But without the bridge, we had it whipped.

At this point in time, I don't know that I'd do another full marathon. It's a brutal effort that leaves you barely able to crawl into your car, let alone get out of it when you get home. Your muscles tighten to the point of being barely able to step up a small step. My first task when I hit the car to drive home after we finish is to call Bill and tell him to have two large diet cokes, ice packs, and a helping hand when I pull in the garage. Bless his heart, he always comes through. I don't know if this is just my body's way of rebelling or if everyone deals with the same problem. What is fascinating, however, is that with a couple hours in bed with lots of ice packs and Advil, I'm very functional again.

I've raised approximately $6,600. That's 10% more that my goal and the checks continue to arrive. I'd like to say that regardless of what happens, this has been a success. It has been in that we've collectively done a great job of fund raising for Leukemia. But as of today, it isn't over yet emotionally. Not until January 9, 2000. I know that I'll finish and I'm equally convinced that we'll do it within the time constraints. Then, it'll be over.……and I'll have to think of a new challenge. There's always the Midnight Sun Marathon in Alaska in June. To be continued

Have a wonderful holiday season. You are all very special to me.

Did I really say that water, carbs and protein was all it took to do 21 miles? Don't you believe it for a minute!