Running is mental not physical  • September 26, 2006 | 8:30 a.m.

I’ve gotten so shamefully behind in my blogging — and training — lately. Funny how the weeks are slipping by; November 5th seems to be right around the corner. Last week was another week of travel, which always throws off my training.  I tried to get out and do a few miles, but my grand total for the week is less than spectacular. I had to squeeze in a 20-mile run to make up for all those miles last weekend. When it comes down to it, the marathon itself is not the hard part, rather it’s all the training, commitment, watching what I eat, etc. ... that is really what it’s all about. And it’s all mind over matter — the mental over the physical.  Psyching yourself up is the real challenge. That’s where I'm at right now. 

Karen blogged about how even your iPod music starts to get so old. Boy, is she ever right. So again, mind over matter as the miles pass on by (I hope). It’s generally recommended in training for a marathon to do three 20-mile long runs beforehand. The idea is that you can generally do another nine miles or so on top of what you’ve already conditioned your body to do. Well, there’s not much time since it’s almost October. Gulp!

As far as nutrition goes, I’ve been really bad there too, especially with traveling this week. The good thing about running is you feel like you can almost eat with abandon since you’re going to run off that Dunkin Donut doughnut anyway. I’m usually a very good eater; I eat all the right foods, three-square meals and healthy snacks. But putting in all the miles lately, I find I crave carbohydrates like bread and doughnuts like crazy.  I think I’ve actually gained a few pounds while training, as strange as that may seem. That’s probably because I’m hungrier more often and because I am in training, I figure, why not?

The key with marathon training is to up your intake of good carbs a little, but really give your body a lot of healthy and lean proteins, which takes your body longer to convert into real energy, which lasts longer. So reallym it’s not great to carb load, but better to balance carbs with proteins. Also, while it’s good to load up a little the night before a long run, most trainers and nutritionists will say, don’t have too much of a good thing. And don’t try foods your body may not be used too, because no doubt, you will feel it the next day.  Anyway, that’s my two cents. You’ll hear more about what to eat and what not to eat on “Today Runs the Marathon” this Thursday.

Finally, I wanted to thank all of you who have e-mailed asking questions, giving me your support and even donating to Fred’s Team (for Memorial Sloan-Kettering’s pediatric cancer research) on mine and Karen’s behalf. The support really has been incredible, and on the days when I struggle to get out for a run, it’s always nice to know you’re all cheering me on.  Some of you may have even spotted me in Central Park, and it’s really great to hear the shout outs.  Please keep them coming ... because we’re almost there — this is the homestretch.

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