How to Keep Busy Before a Race

Highlands Sky 40 miler is this Saturday!  Ack!  I'm just trying to ignore it.  So, in addition to the usual work craziness, I've been filling up my evenings with more activities than usual to distract me.

On Monday, I went for a massage.  Runner pals gave me a gift certificate for my birthday.  Here's the thing.  I don't really do massages so I wasn't sure what to expect.  The only time I've been in a 'spa' was on my wedding day where I got my first (and last) manicure and pedicure.  The whole thing wasn't for me, not really a surprise there.

Side note, is it sad that today I'm wearing the exact same clothes that are in this picture from 4 years ago?  Shopping isn't really for me either.

The only time I've had a 'massage' was last year while in Shenzhen, China.  One day, in the middle of the work-day, a co-worker comes over to me and says 'I think maybe we go for massage'.  OK, sure, whatever!  I had no idea what to expect.  We ended up at a hair salon.  They told me to lay down on the massage table with my head hanging off the end.  The guy proceeded to wash my hair for what felt like 45 minutes.  Eventually, that part was over and they continued with a neck and arm massage.  Keep in mind that I was in China and couldn't really communicate with anyone because unlike my office, the people at the hair salon did not speak any English.  My co-worker was getting her massage and they had to keep stopping so she could come tell me in English that they needed me to relax.

Eventually, that part was over as well and they took me to another chair where another guy appeared out of nowhere with this magical bag full of blow dryers and brushes.  He proceeded to blow dry my hair for what felt like another 45 minutes.  I ended up with curl that actually stayed in my hair all day due to whatever magic he did with a roller brush.  I still have no idea how that happened because my straight hair will never hold curls.

Back to Monday, I was a little skeptical heading into the massage.  Luckily, it was OK.  I still don't think they are for me though.  There were some moments on my upper legs where it hurt, but in a good way, but I can't really say I felt any different after it.  At least I had the experience and it was a distraction from the looming weekend.

Last evening, I headed up to the animal rescue shelter and met with the girl who helps me coordinate dogs.  Since more people are starting to run, I need to build up my supply of potential runners.  She has a few ideas on who to try but we needed to test them away from everything else.  We took two that could really benefit from it because they are very high energy but would be probably be harder to handle than my usual crew.  We headed out with Zeus, an American Bulldog mix and Vadar, a pit bull.  They both did really well and we tired them out, very quickly.  We ran one mile and then walked one mile back and these guys were completely tuckered out and calm by the time we got back.

Tonight, I'm heading to a presentation and dinner about healthy eating.  I just finished eating the rest of a  batch of egg-less cookie dough I made on Monday after a major cookie dough craving (no, I'm not pregnant even though that recipe says cookie dough for preggers).  So, I should be fueled enough on sugar and butter to get me through this healthy, plant-based meal tonight.  :)

2 more days to go.