it's *twitch* taper *twitch* time
I'm so cranky! *twitch* I can't handle such a drastic *twitch* taper! I feel like I'm *twitch* PMSing or *twitch* going crazy. I can't *twitch* handle this!
All of a whopping 9 miles this *twitch* week, along with four hours on my feet walking slowly at the fair (and eating fried foods). No cross-training. One *twitch* root canal that left me with an annoying-as-all-get-out temporary crown that I swear *twitch* is about to fall out.
And I'm *twitch* totally stressing about race day itself. I'm not *twitch* ready! I haven't done enough *twitch* training! And if I'm not supposed to eat sticky things, how the HELL am I *twitch* going to eat sports beans without *twitch* yanking the fake tooth out?! And I tried *twitch* to drink out of my camelback at the fair on Saturday, but that *twitch* involves both biting the valve and closing my entire mouth around it and creating a *twitch* vacuum that totally puts pressure on the stupid fake tooth, causing it to both loosen further and cause more *twitch* freakin' pain.
I'm FREAKING out! *twitch*
In sharing this with my friends Barb and Daniel on a 3.25 mile run this afternoon in 82 degree heat after eating a homemade southern style breakfast (and therefore going really slow and feeling like if I can't even run a measly 3.25 miles now, how the HELL will I run 32 miles on Saturday?!?!?!?!), they let me shriek and almost cry and have a total freakout before reassuring me that everyone has bad days, it wasn't an optimal time/heat/fueling for the day today, and Saturday will be totally different because I'll have race day adrenaline going. Barb did a great job reminding me of all my long runs that I did (which of course led to me thinking about the missed long runs), and all the weekly running I did my best to cram in (which of course reminded me of the few weekly runs I missed).
I was worried about eating too much during my taper. I figured I'd let myself eat what I want on my birthday (last Sunday) and then be good after that. Yeah, the be-good part hasn't started yet. I ate unhealthfully on my birthday and I haven't stopped yet. That worries me. I haven't stepped on the scale, cause I don't wanna see the number!
And I'm still very very very very worried about the temporary crown, which I'm supposed to have for three weeks. There's too much material on the backside where it meets the gum, and it's also shaking loose, so that I can taste the filling stuff that they used to fuse it to my gums as it leaks out, in addition to feeling food get stuck back there. Where the fake thing meets my gums in front is also feeling strange. I'm worried about brushing it and they told me not to floss it, cause that would make it pop right out. I see the dentist on Tuesday for an impression (whatever that is) in preparation for the permanent crown, and I plan on asking them to fix it and also if what I'm experiencing is normal. I'm also going to ask them what I should do if I do happen to lose the fake crown on race day (sucking down on a bladder hose and eating sports beans and all). I'd like to be prepared for the worst!
*sigh* Thank you all for listening to me rant and rave. I hope the week brings calm and peace. I know Chris coming back from Indiana will be nice. I hadn't realized just how much comfort, calm, peace and reassurement he adds to my life, not to mention how damn *good* he is at listening. I haven't been able to talk and express NEARLY as much when he's not around! I hope I can be a good girlfriend when I pick him up at the airport tomorrow; let him tell me all about his trip before I launch into my fears, worries and twitching!
Good luck to everyone at Boston tomorrow :)
Comments
At times like this I turn to one of the great sources of wisdom in our modern era and repeat the phrase "Serenity Now, Serenity now!"
Posted by: Steve Ansell | April 20, 2008 08:04 PM
Well lets see*twitch*shake*twitch.....
I didnt take care of my
teeth when I was young.
I am the proud owner of 9 gold crowns and a Whole bunch of porceline!!!
Root canals are pleasant! :)
The cement they use nowadays works great, the cap may need to be reseated or you might just need to get used to it.:(
The permanent one will be better.:)
If you are truly concerned.....
pick up some temperary tooth cement @ any drug store, just in case you need it, you can hopefully pop the cap back on and cement it down.
I did this once at a climbing comp.
At the worst you can get it back on and covered so you can eat and drink.
p.s. of all the temp caps I've had, only 2 worked loose... pretty good odds.
Posted by: troy | April 20, 2008 11:15 PM
I onced brought salted mashed potatoes in a small tupperware bowl on an ultra. Of course this was in January here in Germany so it didn't get too warm outside. A spoon works well, you can actually walk and eat.
Posted by: Jack | April 21, 2008 02:27 AM
LOL Steve ! I'm going along with him - "Serenity Now, Serenity now!"
Posted by: anthonyp | April 21, 2008 03:05 AM
I hate those temporary crowns.
You're gonna do awesome at ZG. I'm so excited for you and bummed I can't partake in your return to ultra running :)
Posted by: Jessica | April 21, 2008 06:24 AM
It's this week, your big weekend, your thing to do - nobody else's. Clear your mind now from all the uncertainties. You trained for it, you've done the work, you CAN make it happen. That's the single thought that should be pulsating in your brain. This and how exciting it is to do it, to re-join ultra people, to be at ZG as a runner, not a helper, to remember every step you memorized before while creweing and sweeping, every step you visualize 100 times. Now twitching is normal, don't panic:) Breathe in. It is going to be an awesome Saturday!
Posted by: olga | April 21, 2008 09:29 AM
Well, you stopped twitching by the end of the post...that's a good thing. ;-)
You've read enough running blogs to know that just about all of us go through this when we taper before a big race. Just keep in mind that most of us (i.e., me) who have sabotoged our taper by training too much through it have paid dearly in the race. So have faith in the rest and you'll be 100% ready when you toe that line.
Posted by: Chad in the Arizona Desert | April 21, 2008 11:52 AM
Ugggg... I can just imagine running in the heat after a big heavy breakfast. Ick! ;)
You are going to be fabulous on Saturday and I feel so lucky to get to be there to see your amazingness in person!!
Posted by: Taryn | April 21, 2008 03:46 PM
Ha! I can feel you twitching out here. Hang in there, girl. Good luck!
Posted by: Donald | April 21, 2008 06:59 PM
You can do it, Angie! No worries. : )
Posted by: Sarah | April 22, 2008 07:59 AM