Heading to Ottawa for the Marathon!

Well I'm packed and the bags are at the front door. All my vitamins, energy gel packets, electrolyte drink crystals, lucky socks and favourite running shirt have been counted, folded, placed in my bag, then pulled out and counted, folded and put back in the bag several times. The nerves are running a little higher than normal right now and so this is when I turn to my books.

I have always been comforted by reading and when I started training for my first marathon in 2005, I started reading everything I could find. I started with the books that my Dad had on his book shelves and then over the years have added a number of my own finds. My favourite and the one that I take with me to every marathon is the marathon bible, "Marathon You Can Do It!", written by Jeff Galloway in 2001. I have highlighted and sticky-noted 2 chapters that I reread before each marathon. Chapter 12 "Magic Marathon Words" and then chapter 14 "Countdown". Reading Jeff's words calm me right down and help me start the process of mentally focusing on the 42.2 km ahead.

The books that I have read have become very precious to me and have pulled me over many hurdles over the years. I am including a reading list for any of you starting out on the marathon trail. I hope that you find them to be as rich a source of inspiration, guidance and reassurance as I have.

"Galloway's Book on Running", Jeff Galloway., Shelter Publications Inc. 1984 - definitely the runner's bible written by the inventor of the 10:1 running method!

"Marathon You Can Do It!", Jeff Galloway., Shelter Publications Inc. 2001 - the marathon bible as far as I am concerned.

"The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer", David A Whitsett, Forrest A. Dolgener and Tanjala Mabon Kole., 1998. - a great book that follows a class of non-runners training for their first marathon. It was a great instructional and inspirational book to read as I followed my own training schedule which was week by week very close to their own experiences. An excellent book!

"Going the Distance, One Man's Journey to the End of His Life", George Sheehan, M.D., Villard Books, 1996. - an incredibly profound read.

"Canadian Marathon Stories, A Book of Extraordinary Inspirations", Linda Rainville Wagar, Editor., Linda Wagar, 2007 - proceeds from this book go to the CanFund.

"The Elements of Effort, Reflections on the Art and Science of Running"., John Jerome., Pocket Books, 1998.

"Running Start to Finish"., John Stanton., Lone Pine Publishing, 1999. - Another definite running bible written by the founder of The Running Room - full of training schedules, stretches, strengthening exercises, just about everything you need to know all in one package!

"Running A Year Round Plan"., Jeff Galloway., Meyer & Meyer Sport, 2006. - provides a clearly laid out system for creating a year round plan for running to meet your own specific goal, whether that be running consistently, to running your first 5k or your first marathon.

"Marathon, The Ultimate Training Guide, Advice, Plans and Programs for Your 1st Marathon or 50th"., Hal Higdon., Rodale Inc., 1993. - I think the title says it all!

"Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook, Third Edition"., Nancy Clark, MS, RD., Human Kinetics, 2003. - really great book!

So enjoy, and please send me your recommendations!

PS. Yes, I've packed my book!!

There is a debate that has been raging for decades about whether Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first to stand on the summit of the world, or if George Mallory and Andrew Irvine were the first in 1924, 29 years before? We seem to be coming closer to the truth with the discovery of Mallory's body on Everest in 1999 and subsequent discoveries of camp and equipment remnants over the past few years.

For an intriguing read on this great mystery spend a few minutes on Jake Norton's blog "The Mountain World" http://blog.mountainworldproductions.com/2010/05/what-really-happened-to-george-mallory-andrew-irvine.html