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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (March 17, 2011)
sports BY NICOLE BOLTON Marathon Madness From less than zero to long distance T he morning of my fi rst 18 miler it was raining. I was prepared for the weather and the run. Rain hat, sweat band, Gatorade for mile 3, Gu energy paste for miles 7 and 12, even electrolyte tabs. It took more than three hours, but it felt good — really good. I was home before lunch, showered, iced and ready for the day. It wasn’t until that afternoon that I saw the strange rash forming on my chest. By bedtime it became clear what had happened: The Nike swoosh on my T-shirt had rubbed against my skin for hours and mixed with sweat and rain. I’d been branded. After waiting tables for years, I fi nally had my fi rst 9-to-5 since graduating college. I liked the new job, but I was tired all the time. Part of my exhaustion came from using a part of my brain long dormant. But I had to admit that sitting on a bus, then at work and fi nally in front of the TV was doing my body no favors. A friend I used to wait tables with lived three blocks away, and we missed our hours of mindless chatter. We decided to start running together. Once or twice a week we’d lace up our shoes and jog for an hour. One night after running we went for hot chocolate and she gave me a book outlining a training schedule for beginning marathon runners. I laughed. She was serious. Eventually I gave in, and brought aboard a third runner — a former sorority sister and, in character and temperament, my neighbor’s exact opposite. I thought the group dynamic might make things interesting, even if the running wasn’t. A little more than 18 weeks later, we crossed the fi nish line at the Seafair Marathon, holding hands. And six months after that, I cried as I watched them run in the Seattle Marathon. I’d intended on training with them but had bowed out. I’ve regretted my decision ever since, but it wasn’t until now — fi ve years later and 280 miles south in Eugene — that I’ve decided to do anything about it. I’m going into training older and slower but a lot more prepared for what’s going to happen to my body — the good, the bad and the ugly. I’ve built a nice base of 3 miles that I can manage a few times a week. Already those lovely endorphins are fl owing through my body, fi lling me with energy. I’m hungry a lot. And I’ve reconnected with an old friend here in Eugene, where I grew up, to train with during longer runs. I know as my mileage increases, weird things will start happening. Sudden cramps in my calves will shoot me awake in the middle of the night. My thighs probably won’t chafe, but my armpits certainly will. And I’ve already invested in a sports bra as expensive as my car insurance payments, so hopefully my boobs won’t be quite as sore this time around. Thankfully, I’ve never had to deal with some of the more common ailments of the long-distance runner — killer blisters, dead toenails, bloody nipples — but, then again, I have no idea what the next few months will bring. After a couple months training last time around, I discovered a confi dence I’d never before experienced. I was superwoman; I could run 10 miles straight. One Friday night, a musician friend of mine was passing through town to play a show. I was feeling particularly confi dent. I could go see his set at 11 pm, no problem. I could even have a drink, a vodka cranberry — the juice would be good for me. But the drink turned into three or four or fi ve, and then it was 7 am and my alarm was going off. I had 11 miles to run and a friend waiting for me. I don’t remember much about that particular run except fi nding every public restroom (you get really good at planning routes based on available toilets) and drinking fountain we passed. I learned an important lesson that day: No matter how good I feel mentally, I am mortal. In order for my body to perform, I have to respect it. It would have been wiser to switch the run from Saturday to Sunday that weekend. I’m more prepared for the pain and sacrifi ce this time, and more excited about the rewards. If I properly respect my body, it will pay me back with fi tness and fi nesse and energy. My muscles will grow stronger, and my heart will thank me. A pretty fair trade off, even if I do end up getting blisters, bloody nipples and dead toenails. ew Taste of India Buffet Lunch Special $8.99 all you can eat. 7 days a week. ✪ Voted Best Buffet Campus Location Now Open! 844 E 13th ave (old Sakura location) -Eugene Weekly Readers Student Lunch Buffet Special ✪ Voted Best Indian Restaurant -Eugene Weekly Readers ✪ Best Indian Restaurant In Town $5.99 (to go only) -Register Guard Readers 2010 Catering available • Full menu available to go • Delivery through Pony Express 2495 Hilyard St. • Eugene, OR 97405 • ph & fax (541) 485-9698 • ph only (541) 485-9560 D ONALD D EXTER J R DMD LLC DENTISTRY "The first wealth is health." -Ralph Waldo Emerson Invest in your health, the returns are abundant. 2233 W ILLAMETTE S T , B LDG B • 541-485-6644 w w w. d r d e x t e r. c o m WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM EUGENE WEEKLY MARCH 17, 2011 13
