Grandmas Marathon

I did it! I did it in less than five hours! I will loose five toenails! And, yes, I would do it all over again.

Have I ever mentioned that I have Claustrophobic Tendencies and that in tight places I go slightly CRAZY? The mass created by 5000+ people was quite overwhelming, and I couldn’t tell you how many times throughout the race I had to talk myself out of a panic attack, whether fighting over the few slivers of shade along the side of the road or grabbing lukewarm cups of water from moving targets. Feeling the need to throw a few elbows and the unseasonably HOT weather made me extra grateful that I was simple able to complete the race in just less than five hours.

I am still on a high and can’t quit comprehend that I actually completed a Marathon. But my infected and brutally sore big toes continually remind me that they were pushed to limit.

Everybody’s favorite question is “Would you do it again?” The answer is, yes! Especially if it means my sister would join me.

Setbacks Build Confidence

I experienced my first true disappointment in my quest for running the Grandmas Marathon yesterday. It was the day marked on my training calendar for 20 miles, a day I had been preparing for. To make sure there was no way to avoid the full 20 miles, I decided to run home from church; the long way. Mistake number one was leaving at noon, making the shade scarce as the unforgiving sun beat directly down; I began to pray for big fluffy clouds to block the hot yellow beast. Mistake number two was underestimating the slight breeze; the unrelenting gusts of 13mph plus crosswinds threatened to push me out of the shoulder and into on coming traffic. The third mistake was skipping lunch, the hunger pains I experienced were probably moderate at best, but coupled with excessive heat and threatening winds it felt much more extreme. These three things served up a well loaded can of Whip A$$ turning my 20 mile run into a grueling 15 mile survival hike complete with a KFC stop for a glass of ice and my Knight in Shinning Armor coming to my rescue...Although I willingly climbed in the truck, I know I could have walked the remaining 5 miles, but I was already mentally defeated and didn’t need to add ruining my average to the list of setbacks. Josh commented on not working hard enough to be soaked in sweat, but I was eager to explain that the wind licked away any moisture before it could be accumulated. All-in-all I remain confident I can complete the 26.2 miles, and that I can do so in less than 5 hours, so apparently not all was lost.

Being Creative or Borderline Cheating…

I agreed to be apart of Julie's 500 Mile Club and I have developed a plan in which I am certain to come out victorious and one that will hopefully encourage the rest of you into joining My idea of a 500 Mile Club. I have converted everyday situations into miles…

Dusting for 30 minutes equals a half a mile
Washing the windows for 30 minutes equals half a mile
Filling/emptying the dishwasher or doing the dishes for 30 minutes equals a half a mile
Vacuuming for 30 minutes equals a half a mile
Sweeping for 30 minutes equals a half a mile
Moping with a mop for 30 minutes equals half a mile
Shoveling for 30 minutes equals 1 mile
Mowing the grass for 30 minutes equals 1 mile
Raking for 30 minutes equals 1 mile
Gardening for 30 minutes equals a half a mile
Hoeing for 30 minutes equals 1 mile
Wrestling with children (putting on winter apparel constitutes wrestling) for 30 minutes equals a half a mile
Sledding for 30 minutes equals 1 mile
Folding/putting away laundry for 30 minutes equals a half a mile

Because it is necessary to count for something…

Scrapbooking for 30 minutes equals one tenth of one mile

And last but not least…

Blogging for 30 minutes equals one tenth of one mile


I am convinced that if you calculate all of these events and the number of times they are actually performed everyone could complete 500 miles worth of activities in a reasonable amount of time, all of which would count towards gaining the bodily figures we so desire. Creativity is the only way I can successfully accomplish this task.

Please feel free to add other suggestions into my comments. Now get moving and start tracking your 500 miles.