Snowpocalypse!

So for the second time in about 6 weeks, I'm hunkering down for 2+ feet of snow. The first storm came on December 19. I'm not a snow lover, but we hadn't had a snow like that in several years, so it was actually sort of fun. I stocked up with lots of food and drink, DVDs, good books, and had a couple projects around the house to tackle. My neighbors and I let our dogs run loose through the neighborhood since there was no traffic, and shared hot toddies and wine while we watched it come down and then later shoveled out. It took me 3 hours to dig out my car and a couple days after that before I really felt safe driving (major roads were ok, but side streets were a nightmare). Most of it got washed away with rain during Christmas week and by the time I returned from my vacation December 30th, the streets were back to normal.

We got another 8" last weekend (though they'd only called for a 'dusting') and then 5more inches Monday night. I wasn't thrilled with those snows, but they were pretty easy to deal with and didn't affect my ability to get around.

This weekend's snow will be a different story. They're calling for 24"-30" of snow with blizzard conditions. I'm concerned about losing power as a result of heavy snow and 30 MPH winds. I have a crazy fear of my roof collapsing under the weight of that much snow. But I'm mostly worried about losing my mind. I've got movies to watch, books and magazines to read, and two house projects on tap. I also have plenty of food, including stuff to bake bread and cookies and fixings for vegetarian chili. I also stocked up on plenty of good beer and wine. I don't think I'll be bored or without any necessities, but I already feel slightly panicked about being stuck at home for 2, 3, or even more days.

Does anyone else get this way, or do you love being snowed in?

Pre-Race Prep

I just finished off a big plate of pasta and bread, along with my 12th 16-ounce glass of water of the day. I've spent most of the last 24 hours mentally and physically (or, really, organizationally) preparing for tomorrow's running of the Marine Corps Marathon. This will be my 7th marathon in as many years, but I am a nervous wreck. Probably just as nervous as I was the night before my first race. (At least this time I don't have bronchitis to contend with and I'm not in a different time zone.)

Yesterday afternoon I headed to the DC Convention Center for "packet pickup" to get my race # (I'm 16929), my timing tag, a (very ugly) MCM shirt, and all sorts of other things that the race sponsors threw into the goodie bags. I also purchased a great running shirt that says "I know I run like a girl. Try to keep up." I can't wait to wear it! The pre-race expo was really great - there was an energy and excitement that really got me pumped. It made me realize that, after months of training, it's really race time. There was also fun stuff to do - sampling free beer (in the name of carb-loading, of course) - and see - more running gear and equipment than you've ever seen anywhere. My favorite thing this year (other than my shirt) was a pair of toe socks. Shoeless running is apparently really taking off, so you wear these socks instead of just going barefoot. I'm skeptical, but I'm hoping to see someone on the course tomorrow with them on. Especially the rainbow striped ones! (Last time I ran this race I did meet a barefoot runner who told me he's never worn running shoes and runs a marathon every weekend. Perhaps there's something to it...)

I started today by gathering all my gear for tomorrow. And, boy, is there a lot! I've got the stuff I'll wear to run, plus sweats to wear to the race since it'll be cool tomorrow morning, gloves just in case, power food for breakfast and along the course, Body Glide to prevent chafing, Gatorade, gum, Band Aids, Advil, and flip flops for the way home. I always tell people that one of the reasons I love running is that you don't need a lot of equipment. Today made me question that rationale!

After getting my gear together, I was still a bundle of nervous energy. I set out to distract myself. I cleaned and did laundry, grocery shopped, went out for a protein-and carb-filled brunch, reorganized a closet, took my trash and recycling out a day early, cleaned the cats' litter box, and even ordered a couple Christmas gifts.

I plan to turn in early tonight since I have to get up before 5:00 tomorrow for the race. I just hope I can sleep. I've already mentally run the race about a dozen times today and have gone through every possible scenario of what could go wrong - I get a flat tire on the way to the start, I wake up sick, my hip (which has been giving me trouble) locks up, I lose my way along the course, I collapse and die from a heart attack which happened three times over in last weekend's Detroit Marathon. Yikes.

I'm sure the race will be great and even though (because of my hip) I've pretty much given up setting a personal record, I am still really excited. I can't wait for the gun to go off tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. and set off on another 26.2 mile journey with 30,000 other people who, like me, have just one goal - to finish.

Insomnia

Over the last 10+ years, I have suffered from bouts of insomnia. Sometimes episodes are triggered by stress but other times - like now - I have no idea what brings them on. I'm busy but not stressed at work, I'm looking forward to vacation in just over a week, I've been working out like mad (marathon training does that to you!), and eating well. No clue why I can't sleep.

I used to lie in bed, tossing and turning and waiting to fall back to sleep but after years of experience I've learned to get up and try to do something productive. So tonight (this morning, actually) I decided to post to the blog!

Anyone else out there deal with sleeplessness? And if so, how do you cope?

(Interesting side note - I was searching for an image to use with this post and almost all of the images I found under "insomnia" or "insomniac" were of men. And yet all of the insomniacs I know are women.)