They're All Calling Me Crazy

 So far during my marathon training I've done good with my water, hydration input, and protein requirements.  During my training I was drinking 3 double scoops protein shakes per day.  I had plastic surgery 2.5 weeks ago and haven't been working out like I normally do so I am down to 1 double scoop protein shake per day.

It took a while and food logging to figure out the right balance of food, water, hydration, and protein input but once I did it seems to work well.  Being almost two years out has given me a little flexibility to figure out what works. 

I will say.... doing running, biking, and swimming like I am doing is not just about the physical ability.  I've done A TON, and I continue to do research on what your body needs and how your body works while doing these activities.  Knowing what you need to do is half the issue! 

FYI... unlike a majority of runners I do not run well when "Carb Loaded".  I need more of a salty based protein diet with selected carbs in order to perform at my maximum peak. 

So not crazy, sweetie! You're grabbing life by the balls! I LOVE it! I hope you acheive all your goals and dreams!! Such an inspiring story! You go girl!

Ruby

I think you are absolutely amazing and pretty damned inspiring myself, if you want my honest opinion.  No, you arent crazy or insane...and truth be told, I dont think that they think you literally are either.  I think its the events themselves that they might find crazy or insane, not you.  Running 50 miles?!?!  Just at face value, thats a crazy ass distance!   Swimming 2.4 miles, then going on a 112 mile bike ride, and topping it all off with running for 26.2 miles?  Who in the hell thinks up stuff like this, right?  Who in their right mind is going to want to subject themselves and their body to something like that?  For a highly trained athlete such as yourself, its like climbing a foothill compared to someone not highly trained trying to climb Everest.  So maybe when they are saying you are crazy or insane for wanting to do what you want to do, they might just be imagining themselves trying to do the same thing...which would be crazy and insane.  It boggles the common man's mind.  But they probably dont realize just how trained and disciplined you really are to do all you have done so far.

I doubt they have lived the same life you have.  You know what living death feels like and have a far greater apprecition of life and all of the possibilities.  And that can make events that seem crazy or insane perfectly normal and completely rational.  If anyone is going to be able to do the super marathon or full Ironman, it sounds like you are well on your way to getting there. 

You're not crazy. You are smart,determined, love a challenge and I'm proud of you. Let me know when you come to Virginia to race.

--gina

 No, Meghan, I think you completely rock.    What a great list of goals you have.    The only caveat I might offer is to take care to protect yourself from overtraining injuries.   Many sports injuries are cumulative, and what might feel okay now, might come back to bite you when you're 40.    I know so many long-distance runners that have ended up having knee and hip replacements at young ages.  My daughter, a life-long ballerina, who overtrained with an undiagnosed congenital deformity needs total hip replacement, and is only 24!    Her doctors have reconstructed one hip, and she's waiting till next summer to have the other one done.   They are trying to hold her off for total replacement until she's 40, so that they'll only have to replace them once.     

Meghan -

You are NOT crazy!  What awesome accomplishments you have done.  I too have the goal to be a runner.  I keep telling my husband that I can't wait to finally be able to hit the road and start running and see the beautiful world we live in.  I can picture myself being Forest Gump and just keep running!  LOL

There are many 5K that are done locally to me and I can't wait to sign up and make it to the finish line!

Keep up the momentum and accomplish those goals!!

 I must say I am inspired. That's all. I am going to do the "Tough Mudder" with my family this spring. At least I am going to try. LOL

"hangs head"  What's a Tough Mudder?

 I'm cracking up...this is so NOT the race I meant!

I mean our family is doing the "Jailbreak" together, not the Tough Mudder. That one makes me .

 This is the Tough Mudder: http://toughmudder.com/