Subliminal Messages

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Do you see it?

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I eat marathons for breakfast.  :)  You just have to tackle it mile by mile.  Or each chia-seed covered pancake, banana, and cashew.

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Eat it Run until the whole thing is gone!

 

Feeling much more confident about tomorrow’s marathon!  Sometimes, I think it’s just a matter of getting the nerves out and then everything is OK.  When I was on The Today Show in August, the question on everyone’s lips was, “Are you nervous?” and although I was sort of terrified, I kept repeating, “No, I’m just EXCITED.”  On the inside, I told myself over and over again that getting really nervous wouldn’t help me at all during the interview and would exponentially increase the odds that I’d throw up on Meredith Vieira.  The whole experience was a great life lesson.  I’m going to apply it to marathons, too.

 

So today, instead of feeling nervous, I’m just going to be excited. 🙂 🙂

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Plus, my packing list is all organized.  Now I just need to round everything up.  (PS – Loooove the Windows 7 Sticky Note function.)

2010-10-28_2058

A race is the celebration of your training!

{ 101 comments }

 

  • grocery goddess jen October 29, 2010, 9:14 am

    You make me laugh, “I eat marathons for breakfast”! Love it! You have such a good attitude that just seems to get better and better the longer I read your blog. Awesome!

  • Holly @ couchpotatoathlete October 29, 2010, 9:17 am

    You have trained for this marathon and you are ready — you should be excited!!! And yes, the marathon is the “easy” part — training is the tough part!

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman October 29, 2010, 9:18 am

    That’s great. If only running a marathon were as easy as eating pancakes. I’d totally win the Olympics.

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat October 29, 2010, 9:18 am

    That’s a great way of thinking about it! Love how you shaped your brekkie into a 26.2. Looks tasty! 🙂

  • Lily @ Lily's Health Pad October 29, 2010, 9:19 am

    Good luck tomorrow! I can’t believe you’re going to be in my hometown running the Spinx. I tried to talk my bf into running the 5k, but we’ll be spending the weekend in Charleston instead.

  • tina October 29, 2010, 9:19 am

    yayyy! you go girlfiend!!!

    (your bfast looks amazing, ps)

  • Jen October 29, 2010, 9:19 am

    Okay, the 26.2 pancakes are super cute. Good luck tomorrow!

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) October 29, 2010, 9:20 am

    You are such a positive person and I love it! Thank you for sharing how you achieve a positive outlook through stressful thinking!

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg October 29, 2010, 9:21 am

    “I eat marathons for breakfast”…haha, love. That’s probably the ONLY way that I’d ever eat a marathon for breakfast 🙂

  • Nadine October 29, 2010, 9:22 am

    The hay is in the barn. You are ready to eat marathons for breakfast!!

  • Aimee October 29, 2010, 9:23 am

    Fun breakfast and looks delicious too. Good luck tomorrow! I am sure you will totally rock that marathon!!

  • Michele October 29, 2010, 9:23 am

    Best wishes for a wonderful experience tomorrow!!!

    I love what you said about the race being a celebration of your training. Last spring when I was preparing for a half marathon (didn’t happen due to torn Achilles tendon though), I said the preparation was the important part, and the event was like a graduation ceremony.

  • Krista (kristastes) October 29, 2010, 9:24 am

    LOL love the pancake subliminal message 🙂 GOOD LUCK tomorrow, you will be fabulous!

  • Jen @ Jen is Green October 29, 2010, 9:25 am

    GOOD LUCK! You’re gonna kill it!!!

  • Robin October 29, 2010, 9:28 am

    Cutest breakfast I’ve ever seen!!! Good luck 🙂

  • Erika @ Food, Fitness, & Fun October 29, 2010, 9:28 am

    Love the pancakes. Good luck tomorrow! I know you will do AMAZING! 😀

  • tricia October 29, 2010, 9:28 am

    You’ve got this!

  • Becky at Flybynyght October 29, 2010, 9:29 am

    If you’re thinking that things are feeling rough during the run, be sure to smile! …it’s amazing how you can trick your mind into getting through a rough patch!

  • kate October 29, 2010, 9:29 am

    cute!! good luck! you’re ready!

  • Jen October 29, 2010, 9:32 am

    Omg, did you really make that for breakfast? I <3 you.

  • maria @ Chasing the Now October 29, 2010, 9:32 am

    YOU CAN DO IT! I know I’ve posted this like every comment for the last three days but it’s because I really believe you are going to do great!

  • Kathleen October 29, 2010, 9:33 am

    Love this! I’m excited for you, you’re going to own your marathon. Your training and positive attitude will carry you right to the finish line. Go Caitlin go!

  • Liz @ Blog is the New Black October 29, 2010, 9:33 am

    So cute!!!!

  • Stacey October 29, 2010, 9:34 am

    Good for you Cailtin! You are gonna rock it tomorrow! Oh and I’m very impressed by your ability to take pancakes and make them into numbers 😉 Haha

  • Sassy Molassy October 29, 2010, 9:35 am

    Those pancakes are adorable! Love love love it! Keep the positivity flowing and break down your marathon into chunks. Maybe focus on the first 5-6 miles being great and happy. Then focus on keeping steady through mile 11. And so on until you’re at mile 20 and you just have to think power…keep up this power. I only have 10K to go! Something like that…I’m sure you get my drift. 😉

    One of the half marathons I ran in Moab, UT was at high altitude and had a few hills. I kept thinking to myself, “This hill doesn’t have anything on you!” “You are strong.” “This is easy.” It definitely helped my focus and attitude.

  • E October 29, 2010, 9:37 am

    Good Luck Caitlin!! I ran my first marathon 19 days ago (Chicago on 10.10.10) and you’re absolutely right!! The race is the celebration of your training! Have fun! And Enjoy every moment of it! xo

    • Caitlin October 29, 2010, 9:38 am

      Jealous of your Chicago ness!

  • Meredith October 29, 2010, 9:37 am

    I do that with my pre-race meals too!! For some reason I tend to eat a sandwich the day before a race for lunch, so I write out the distance in mustard. Then just like you, I tell myself I am gonna eat those KMs – not miles, since I’m Canadian 😉

    Enjoy running your champagne race tomorrow – your 30th race on the 30th!

  • Alina @ Duty Free Foodie October 29, 2010, 9:38 am

    That’s hilarious! Did you use baking shapes (probably not the right term) to make the pancakes?

    • Caitlin October 29, 2010, 9:38 am

      Nope, freeform!

  • Kristina @ spabettie October 29, 2010, 9:40 am

    A race is the celebration of your training – I LOVE THIS !! 🙂

    love the pancakes too – have a GREAT race!! <3

  • Amanda October 29, 2010, 9:42 am

    Good luck, not that you need it. You’re going to crush this marathon 🙂

  • Carly (Swim, Run, Om) October 29, 2010, 9:43 am

    I’m so excited! I can’t wait for the recap … I always say that (and I always mean it), but I’m doubly excited for this particular race. You will be AWESOME! And your attitude is contagious.

  • Sara October 29, 2010, 9:46 am

    GOOD LUCK!!! I know you’ll do great!! 😀 And while you’re running I’ll be competing, too, but in a horse show 😛

    Sara

  • Anna @ History Running Girl October 29, 2010, 9:49 am

    Those pancakes are adorable.

  • Salina October 29, 2010, 9:53 am

    BEST OF LUCK TO YOU….NOT THAT YOU NEED IT!! ENJOY THE RUN, IT WILL BE OVER BEFORE YOU KNOW IT 🙂

  • Kelly October 29, 2010, 9:53 am

    Love your marathon breakfast! I use the sticky notes on my MAC allll the time, it’s my favorite!

  • Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner) October 29, 2010, 9:55 am

    Haha brilliant breakfast! Lovin the postitive attitude here! And they look yummy too! 😀
    Yup, the Post-its are definitely the best thing about Windows 7! Especially the fact that you can change the colour of them! 🙂

  • Charlie October 29, 2010, 10:02 am

    Love the pancakes :).
    I can’t make round ones so I don’t think I would be able to make numbers lol.

  • Leah @ Why Deprive? October 29, 2010, 10:09 am

    Good luck! I know you’re going to kick that marathons ass!

    Those pancakes are awesome btw.

  • Cassie @ Back to Her Roots October 29, 2010, 10:15 am

    Oh my gosh, I love the “A race is the celebration of your training!” quote. That is fantastic!

    You are going to ROCK tomorrow. Kill it!

  • Janae @ hungryrunnergirl October 29, 2010, 10:16 am

    I love your attitude about the race! Your breakfast is adorable!! Good luck tomorrow, you are strong and you WILL do amazing!

  • Ashley October 29, 2010, 10:19 am

    What?! I have Windows 7 and had no idea about this new sticky note function!!! So glad you pointed it out because now I will use it ALL THE TIME….I am DEFINITELY a list-maker! I’d forget everything if I didn’t write it down!
    Good luck tomorrow – you will do GREAT! I’ll send good vibes your way….as you’re doing the 26.2, I’ll be driving cross-country for a trip back home! Best of luck!

    • Caitlin October 29, 2010, 10:26 am

      good luck on your drive!

  • Johanna B October 29, 2010, 10:19 am

    I absolutely love this blog. It’s the first one I read evey morning, after lunch, and before I go home. Thanks for the good read Caitlin.

    • Caitlin October 29, 2010, 10:26 am

      thanks johanna!

  • Camille October 29, 2010, 10:19 am

    I’m excited for you!
    Both both my marathons, I have been nervous until I got to my starting gate and then I was just super pumped!

  • Rachel October 29, 2010, 10:21 am

    “A race is the celebration of your training” What an awesome way to put it!!!

  • Leanne @ Simplicitlee October 29, 2010, 10:22 am

    I really like the idea of a race being a CELEBRATION of your training! I agree! I think its important that during the race you realize that every workout up to that point got you to the race 🙂

  • Lana October 29, 2010, 10:27 am

    Looks like your 100% ready, both mentally and physically! You are such a strong person and will permorm amazingly tomorrow! I wish you all the best! Just remember to breathe and say the word ‘calm’ (or something that makes you feel calm) to yorself <–I read it in a magazine and it really does work!!

  • Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) October 29, 2010, 10:29 am

    Hooray for race weekend!!!

    Rock your marathon and I’ll rock my 5k!! 😉

  • Kiran October 29, 2010, 10:30 am

    Go Caitlin!!! I am so excited for tomorrow 😀

    Your desktop is so neat, mine is cluttered to the brim!!!!

  • Kristen October 29, 2010, 10:48 am

    In the words of Barney Stinson: Step 1: Start running…there is no step 2.

    Good luck! You’ve got this one!

  • Natalia - a side of simple October 29, 2010, 10:56 am

    Extra hair tie = a MUST. You’re going to be killer, run for you!

  • Megan October 29, 2010, 10:59 am

    Those are some stellar pancakes right there! 🙂
    Good luck tomorrow! You will ROCK it!

  • Mary (Sisters Running the Kitchen) October 29, 2010, 11:04 am

    yay ! very exciting that you are getting ready for your marathon!!! you are going to do amazing! I love your pancake creativity!

  • Gavi @ GaviGetsGoing! October 29, 2010, 11:18 am

    Good luck tomorrow! I love your way of thinking about anxiety-provoking events or situations. It’s definitely the “fake it ’till you make it” model, and it always works for me. If you tell yourself that you’re incredibly excited–even if you’re totally nervous–you will FEEL excited! I hope you have fun, stay safe, and kick some bootay tomorrow! 🙂

  • Kath October 29, 2010, 11:23 am

    The most beautiful pancakes I have ever seen!!!!

    Also, I love the sticky note so much too. But I hate that you can’t change the font!!!!!!!!!!

  • Amber K October 29, 2010, 11:31 am

    That is a neat function! I wonder if my computer has a sticky note function….off to find it!

  • Katherine @ Left Coast Contessa October 29, 2010, 11:34 am

    “A race is a celebration of your training” – I love this!

    Also, in class yesterday my professor analogized final exam prep and finals to race training! Definitely shifted the way I think of finals 🙂

  • Ali October 29, 2010, 11:41 am

    I love the message in your breakfast! Good luck on your marathon tomorrow! I really enjoyed following your training for both the Disney marathon and this one as well. Your Disney marathon posts are actually what encouraged me to sign up (and train and finish (!!!)) my first marathon! 🙂

    • Caitlin October 29, 2010, 12:54 pm

      YAY 🙂

  • Rachel @ EatMoreMeatLess October 29, 2010, 11:49 am

    How exciting!! Looking forward to following you tomorrow! Good luck 🙂

  • Caitlin October 29, 2010, 11:49 am

    If I don’t get a chance to tell you before hand, GOOD LUCK! this weekend. You are going to dominate it! One of my favorite lines right now from a song is, “Compare where you are to where you wanna be and you’ll get nowhere.” Of course this is easy to apply to life, but think about it in terms of running. It’s easy to get sucked into “Damn, only mile xx?” but it’s not going to help where you WANT to be (mentally.)

    Can’t wait to read all about it!! xo

  • Little Bookworm October 29, 2010, 11:49 am

    Love the marathon style breakfast. 🙂 Good luck for tomorrow! 🙂

  • Jo October 29, 2010, 11:57 am

    Have fun tomorrow!

  • Ali @ Food, Fitness, Fashion October 29, 2010, 12:02 pm

    Your are adorable and I looooooove that breakfast! So creative!

  • Jacalyn October 29, 2010, 12:05 pm

    Super cute breakfast. Good luck tomorrow. You are going to ROCK it!

  • katie October 29, 2010, 12:06 pm

    great quote and breakfast! you will do Awesome!

  • Michele October 29, 2010, 12:08 pm

    LOVE your breakfast – darn good for free form!!! You go girl; ROCK IT TOMORROW!!!

  • Clare @ Fitting It All In October 29, 2010, 12:10 pm

    “A Race is a celebration of your training”.
    LOVE THAT. My mantra for my half next week.

    Good luck!

  • Jess October 29, 2010, 12:10 pm

    Love the pancakes and post! I ran my first marathon on the 17th and agree that it really is a celebration. At least until mile 23 ;). Good luck!!!

  • Nathalie October 29, 2010, 12:45 pm

    I love your attitude!!! I’ll be thinking of you and cheering you on from across the pond 🙂 Good Luck tomorrow- you will rock that marathon !!! I’ll be eagerly awaiting your race-recap WITH my box of tissues by my side 😉
    Those pancakes are fab!

  • Jacquelynn October 29, 2010, 12:48 pm

    Love your “not nervous, excited” philosophy! I think that could be applied to a lot of things in life.

  • Lee October 29, 2010, 12:54 pm

    You literally ate a marathon for breakfast. Awesome.

    Good luck! I’m running a half marathon tomorrow!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey October 29, 2010, 12:57 pm

    You’re super prepared!! I love sticky notes too!

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing October 29, 2010, 1:09 pm

    You are SO right! That is most definitely the way to be!

  • Angela October 29, 2010, 1:10 pm

    Good Luck! I’m happy for you. I know how exciting it gets before race time! Take it in and enjoy 🙂 You’ve got this race and you’re going to rock it.

  • Ellen@FirednFabulous October 29, 2010, 1:13 pm

    Haha, love the pancakes! The banana and cashews are great toppings, too, yumm. Feeling nervous is just the WORST. I like how you turned those feelings into EXCITEMENT! I need to try that 🙂

  • Balanced Healthy Life October 29, 2010, 1:18 pm

    I loved the pancakes! You are going to do so well at the marathon! I like that you tell yourself you are just excited, not nervous! : )

  • Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] October 29, 2010, 1:22 pm

    Oooo, I love that last line A LOT 🙂 Great attitude!

  • Grace October 29, 2010, 1:33 pm

    What a creative breakfast!
    “A race is the celebration of your training.”

  • Corey @ The Runner's Cookie October 29, 2010, 1:35 pm

    Your breakfast is so cute! I believe fully in the power of language and what you tell yourself – if you keep repeating “I’m excited” instead of “Holy **** I’m so nervous”, you might start to believe it 🙂

  • swetha October 29, 2010, 1:44 pm

    “A race is the celebration of ur training”- very well put caitlin !! love ur energy n ur blog !! visiting ur blog is d first thing I do wen I open my laptop !! Its Just simple n inspiring at d same time.Planning to train for a 5k run myself…though i feel i am gonna explode after a 2min jog…Well u never know what u can do until u try !!Right??;)) Well thanks to u …ur blog motivates me to try atleast !! Good luck for your marathon !! Just do it !!

    • Caitlin October 29, 2010, 1:46 pm

      Thank you! Check out the Couch to 5K program – it’s a great starting point.

  • Sarah October 29, 2010, 2:16 pm

    I read over your check list and saw something that is a must have for me, CHAP-STICK!! Not sure if you like to use that when running but my lips always seem to get dry. Best of luck and I know that you will meet all of your goals.

  • Maren October 29, 2010, 2:37 pm

    That is such a cute idea with the pancakes Caitlin! I just wanted to wish you a GOOD LUCK! I am sending happy and positive wishes your way and will be thinking of you all day tomorrow! I can’t wait to hear how it goes for you girl! 😀

  • Meaghen October 29, 2010, 2:59 pm

    That is the cutest breakfast ever!!! Good luck. You are well trained and will do great!

  • MegaNerd October 29, 2010, 3:11 pm

    I love the pancakes! 🙂

  • Alison (Ali on the Run) October 29, 2010, 3:12 pm

    Oh my goodness, those pancakes are the best things I’ve ever seen. You’re so creative! And the message to go along with it is perfect. You’re going to rock the marathon!

  • carlee October 29, 2010, 3:32 pm

    maybe im just dumb but i cannot figure out what your pancakes say! they sure look yummy though!

    • Caitlin October 29, 2010, 3:33 pm

      26.2 = a marathon!

  • Teri [a foodie stays fit] October 29, 2010, 3:49 pm

    One of my good friends and training partners, who has run dozens of marathons, told me the same thing at the starting line of my first marathon last year (that marathon day is a celebration of all your hard work put into training) and it really helped me get through the race! Have fun out there!

    And I laughed out loud at your pancakes…you eat marathons for breakfast…hahaha!!!!!

  • Gracie (complicated day) October 29, 2010, 4:38 pm

    Haha! They need to make shaped cliff bars for prerace food!

  • Jenny @ The Healthy Teenager, green tea and yoga, not alcohol and parties October 29, 2010, 4:57 pm

    I am so excited for you!! You are going to kick ass, all your training will have paid off. I can’t wait to see how you do 😀

    Good luck!!!!

  • sara October 29, 2010, 6:15 pm

    Good luck!! I am running the half, I’ll keep an eye out for you!

    • Caitlin October 29, 2010, 8:52 pm

      good luck!

  • sara October 29, 2010, 6:16 pm

    Good luck!! I am running the half, I’ll keep an eye out for you!

  • Dee October 29, 2010, 6:22 pm

    Aww, love your breakfast! I wish you luck on your marathon!

    ps. omg! i want windows 7! sticky notes?! ACK!

  • Laurie October 29, 2010, 8:13 pm

    Have a great race! Remember, the race is just a celebration of the training. I’ll be thinking about you. The pancakes are adorable!

  • Sara November 1, 2010, 9:32 am

    I love the sticky note function too. My husband and I use it to leave notes for each other … our own Operation Beautiful …

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