Glen Campbell - The Impossible Dream

don't worry be happy!

5-22-12  Winding down now.  Ran 3 miles tonight, per the taper plan, 4 tomorrow and 2 Thursday, then nothing until Saturday (well except 6+ hours in the car).  At this point I am looking forward to getting ready for my second marathon. (meaning that when I do this again, I'll know what to expect) There is an element of the unknown that is both exciting and very scary.  I have gone from not being able to sleep a week ago to not worrying any more.  It is what it is.  I have derived that attitude from a compilation of all these facts.....I want to finish the marathon.  I have not run further than 16 miles at any one time.  I have become a stronger runner.  A short run used to be 2 miles.  A long run used to be 5 miles.  A short run is now 5 miles.  A midway long run is 10 miles.  A long run is 15 miles.  My average pace would have me finishing the race in 5 hours.  My average pace leaves me one hour of play (if you don't finish in 6 hours, technically you didn't finish).  If I finished 20 miles at a 12 minute pace that would be 4 hours.  If I walked the next 6.2 miles at a 15 minute pace (which is a fast walk) that would 1.55 hours.   Mathematically, I could walk quite a bit, but fast.   I don't have to finish.  I can get on a  bus or something to get back if I am really in pain, so.......all those things considered, why worry?

the true meaning of a piggy back ride

I just took the boys up to bed.  When they were much younger, bob and I would always give them piggy back rides upstairs.  I have done that in at least a year, maybe two.  when I did, I always had to hold the stair railing and sort of pull myself up.  Tonight Matthew asked me to give him a piggy back ride.  I laughed (sort of how I laughed at Kai when she she suggested I do the FULL marathon).  Then I said, okay, I'll carry you from the kitchen to the bottom of the stairs, hop on.  So then we went to the bottom of the stairs and for whatever reason, I decided to carry him up.  I was shocked.  I carried him up the stairs, didn't have to hold on to the stair railing or anything.,  Then of course, you know what comes next, Carson!  I carried him and that was even easier.  Matthew weighs 69 pounds and Carson weighs 60 pounds.  The reason I am writing this is  just to make a point.  My legs are so much stronger!!!!

I got Kai's and my bib numbers today and sent them to Dad.  We start at 7:00 am.  If I know my Mom (and I think I do) she'll be up at the crack of dawn tracking us.  Unfortunately, when we start at 7:00 am, it will be 2:00 am in Hawaii. If she gets up at 7:00, we should be almost done!!!!  or crawling to an aid station!

The Impossible Dream has been recorded by many and I am betting most do not know it was record by Glen Campbell, but it was.  The original recording in Man of LaMancha was done by Richard Kiley.  (little tidbit for Jack Robinson, Kiley played Paddy in the Thornbirds television miniseries)  It was also recorded by Andy Williams in a Honda ad and by Jim Nabors who definitely has a big voice.  I was listening to Glen Campbell's greatest hits today and heard this.  Made me almost get choked up and teary eyed.  This is truly an impossible dream for me, certainly achievable, but dreamed to be impossible.  Time will tell the outcome.

To dream ... the impossible dream ...
To fight ... the unbeatable foe ...
To bear ... with unbearable sorrow ...
To run ... where the brave dare not go ...
To right ... the unrightable wrong ...
To love ... pure and chaste from afar ...
To try ... when your arms are too weary ...  (or your freakin legs)
To reach ... the unreachable star ...

This is my quest, to follow that star ...
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far ...
To fight for the right, without question or pause ...
To be willing to march into Hell, for a Heavenly cause ...   (it could feel like Hell)

And I know if I'll only be true, to this glorious quest,
That my heart will lie will lie peaceful and calm,
when I'm laid to my rest ...
And the world will be better for this:
That one man, scorned and covered with scars,
Still strove, with his last ounce of courage,
To reach ... the unreachable star ...