Making Lemonade, Half Marathon-Style

First, let’s show off some goodies. Like the Amazing Grass that wasn’t — I took one sip and had to dump it. Shudder.

Then, my better half:

Who was very happy with his breakfast this morning. We met a friend before work (or in his case, before house husbanding) and he got a plate full of goodness.

I got the carrot cake pancake, which I will be attempting on my own.

I passed up the pumpkin pancake, but luckily my friend shared.

All pictures courtesy my iPhone.

So, tomorrow is my first half marathon, and I’m facing a few challenges. But I’m choosing to spin them, so they’re positives. Examples:

Lemon:

• I’m undertrained for this distance, and have only done one “long” run — 10 miles — in the last month. I’m battling a groin injury and have seen my training pace drop way off.

Lemonade:

• I would be doing a long run tomorrow anyway — why not do it with 3,500 other runners? I’m always faster during competitions, and even if I don’t feel great, I’m sure I’ll be inpsired by someone along the way.

Lemon:

Lemonade:

• An excuse to buy a new running hat so the torrential rain doesn’t drip into my eyes! Junior chewed mine up a while back, so I’ve been hatless. The hat will also cover up my sweaty, stanky self and allow me to truly smile from within when it’s time to cross the finish line.

Lemon:

• I’m feeling the effects of two years of training. My groin hurts, my back hurts, my shins hurt…everything hurts.

Lemonade:

• As a reward, Lucas has told me I can not only pick ANY place for dinner after the race, I can also get a massage and ice cream! Triple awesome!

Lemon:

• Well, there isn’t one, I just wanted a chance to share…

Lemonade:

• Carbing up. The afore-mentioned carrot cake was an indulgence, since I normally go with an egg white omelette. Then at lunch, I got my carbs in another way (below) and we’re having black bean pasta for dinner. Nom nom nom.

Lemon:

• Out of all the people I know competing in tomorrow’s event, I am by far the slowest. If they wanted, they could finish their half marathons, go home and shower, get massages and come back to high-five me at the finish line.

Lemonade:

• I’ve already arranged to see some of my friends before the race starts, so we can hug and high-five for luck. Plus, I keep telling myself that by 10am, I’ll have done more than more people will do all month.

And, if I may be so bold as to volunteer a lemon/lemonade scenario for Lucas…

Lemon:

• Wife’s crazy running addiction once again has me up way before the sun, fighting traffic and bad weather.

Lemonade:

• Beer garden for participants after the race. Wife won’t drink her beer. Score.

Wish me luck!