Industrial Disease

DAYS (wha..??!!) to Go: 8!!
Money raised: $17 353.70!!

Well, the plan for this post was quite different from the one that is actually going to be written. It WAS going to say something like 'I really can't believe that in just over 1 week's time I'll be running the New York freaking Marathon' and such-like and there were tentative thoughts about writing an ode to the Treadmill of Wonder. I had also thought I might write (IN CAPS since I was so excited) that I entered this blog in a competition to be a roving social media reporter for the New York Road Runners (the marathon organisers) and actually GOT SELECTED!! (See I did end up in caps after all). But ...

But now, as I write, these plans are in doubt. Qantas, our national airline and the airline taking us charity runners to the marathon, has upped the ante on its long-running dispute with its discontented workforce and cancelled all flights indefinitely. Who knows what will happen from here? Mike from Team WorldVision suggested we turn this into a triathlon - a swim to L.A. and cycle to New York and then the marathon. Could work. Whatever happens it's going to be an uncertain few days ahead as Plans 'B' and no doubt 'C' get put into action. 

So here's what I'm doing... I'm still packing. I'm still assuming we'll all get there. (And if anyone can get us there, Nadia from Inspired Adventures can). I'm going to stay optimistic and flexible and be open to whatever happens.

I should probably out myself now as one of those tedious hippies who believe that everything happens for a reason. So if for some reason this dispute means that I really can't get there I am going to be sad but I am also going to accept that that is the way it was meant to be. And I have already got SO much out of this year that if this is where the story ends (is that a song?) then I'll be ok with that. I'll have to be. I've raised over $17 000 for something I really believe in, gone WAY outside my comfort zone and learned and experienced things I would never otherwise have learned and experienced. It's been incredible. I want the chance to complete the experience with the trip but if I don't get it, I can still look back on this year and feel proud of what I've done and grateful for everything I've learned.

BUT, it's not over until the weight-challenged gender-neutral homosapien sings and in the meantime, I will continue to hope for a resolution to the conflict and that come Wednesday morning I'll be sitting with other charity runners on a Qantas jet bound for New York City. Oh yes!!

Wait! Why should Alan Joyce ruin your moment in the sun, Treadmill of Wonder? You deserve some attention. You have made it possible for a mother of three to do something as time consuming as train for a marathon. Without your smooth belt and strong arms, I'd have been running the streets at odd hours rather than training and watching 'How I Met your Mother' at the same time. Thank you, Treadmill of Wonder. (Although you are rather large and frankly, I'll be glad when you're out of the family room.)

So, stay tuned, New Walker readers! (Oh, and if you were thinking of doing so and haven't yet, please donate at www.everydayhero.com.au/kate_offer! Because whether I run this thing or not WorldVison's SEE Solutions project still needs your support!)

Pregnant with Anticipation

Weeks to Go: 3
Money Raised: $16 401.70!

At this point, my marathon preparation is starting to remind me of my first pregnancy. Admittedly, much smaller clothes are involved in this major life event and I am optimistic there will be less blood. But a) I'm having cravings. For every carb I see. Just like in '97,  b) my feet hurt. Just like in '97 and c) I feel like my body no longer wholly belongs to me. It's fully occupied elsewhere and has better things to do than just cart my monkey mind around. Just like in '97.

If you've been reading my blog (or you know me and that's pretty much the same thing) you'll know that I have three lovely children and if you're good at maths, you'll also know that means I've had three pregnancies. But this is like my first pregnancy because that was the only one where I didn't have any idea of what really lay ahead of me. You know, on the Big Day. Would there be whale music playing in the background while my obstetrician spoke softly and reassuringly to me? Or would the sound of surgical incisions drown out my screams? I had absolutely NO idea.

The feeling then was being carried inexorably towards something unknown and unknowable. Much like this marathon. But I remember that I didn't think too much about that inevitable end point then since I couldn't in any way prepare myself for the experience. I just did what I could (which admittedly mostly involved me sitting on the couch watching 'Friends').

I have been getting anxious about November 6th lately. But I'm trying to do what got me through in the weeks leading up to the birth of Baby #1 (not his real name). Focus on what I can do and choose not to think about what I can't control. And just go with it. Accept that the experience will be what it will be. (But I'm taking the phone number of the doctor who gave me the epidural back then, just in case).

Speaking of pregnancy, Amber Miller ran the Chicago Marathon last weekend at almost 39 weeks and gave birth just a few hours after she finished. Just as well I did not notice her time (6:25:50) otherwise I might compare myself and my projected time unfavourably (She didn't even have to ride the 'Bus of Shame'!!)

Amber Miller with her new baby. What a woman!

I was pretty tired after my trip to Darwin and work has been busier than it's ever been these last few weeks. I even had to miss my last week's long run because of a really bad migraine. It's all been a bit stressful. I've found that even though it's harder to get started at the moment but my body has needed the mid-weeks runs more than ever. There's a true chemical change that takes place after a run. I've always justified not exercising on the grounds that I was too busy but it's the running that's been keeping my stress levels (largely) under control and is making me more effective through what is traditionally the hardest time of the year, work-wise. Oh, running... I'm so glad we found each other.

This weekend's long run this week is 25km. The furthest one yet! My Assistant Coach and I plan to run really early again because it's going to be hot on Sunday. Fingers crossed for a good one. With no epidurals required.