I have probably written umpteen blogs about fueling but it seems there is always room for more on this important topic.  I find that this is one of those things you just can’t hear enough about so I thought I’d give another quick overview.

It’s important when we exercise to replenish our body with what we are using, glycogen and electrolytes. Glycogen is your energy store.  If you run out of glycogen, you run out of energy.  Where do you get glycogen?  From carbs (sugars).  Electrolytes help to balance you out.  If you’re low on electrolytes, you’ll cramp, maybe feel lightheaded, and possibly do even more serious damage.  Where do you get electrolytes?  You can find this in electrolyte pills, sports drinks, gels, and so on.

Our bodies have enough glycogen storage for about 60 minutes of exercise.  This isn’t to say you couldn’t go longer without running out of gas but why would you?  I’ve used the analogy of a car in the past.  You are the car and glycogen is your gas.  If you are getting low on gas, you typically get fuel and keep on going.  If you push it and end up running out of gas, what a pain!  You end up on the side of the road until someone can come help you.

So, to avoid sitting on the side of the road, we must fuel.   You should start taking in carbs between 30 and 60 minutes into your workout or race and then continue fueling throughout.  The general rule of thumb is to fuel every 4 miles or 45 minutes, whichever method you prefer.  The ideal is 100 to 250 calories (or 25 to 60 grams of carbs) per hour, after the first hour of running.  I know this seems like a large variance but it’s because you’ll have to play around with it and figure out what works best for you.  A 150 lb runner may find that he needs less than a 200 lb runner but maybe not.  It’s always good to start with the rule of thumb and then tweak it to your exact needs.

Sports gels, chews, and drinks are typically the easiest things for runners to use for fuel but you can certainly try more “natural” foods such as fig newtons.  Just be sure you’re getting the right amount of whatever it is you’re using.  If one bag of chews is 1 serving, you need to eat the entire bag in that serving.  Do not ration your portions.  Pay attention to the carbs and calories.  If you find that you cannot seem to get enough calories and carbs in the form of gels or chews that you need, you can certainly look at using a sports drink as well.  The only issue with this is that many of the gels and chews specifically say to wash down with water.  This is to help avoid any GI distress but overloading your body with sugars at once.  This is where a fuel belt with several bottles comes in handy- you can have a sports drink in a couple and water in a couple.

Water is not fuel.  Water does not have anything in it so even if you’re trying to replenish yourself from all the sweating you’re doing, you’re not replacing the electrolytes (sodium, potassium) that you have sweated out.  Not to say you can’t run with water, but this certainly shouldn’t be all that you show up to a run with.

People often worry about “all the calories” they’re consuming if they follow this fueling plan.  You cannot think about it like this.  You must think about fueling as a necessity.  Let’s say you run 11 miles and it takes you 2 hours.  I would suggest taking a gel (Hammer which i use has 90 cal, 21 carbs) at 45 minutes and another at 1:30 hours, at a minimum.  This is only 180 calories and 42 carbs in 2 hours and you’ve burned approximately 1100 calories. Depending on what your stomach is able to handle, how much you’re sweating, amongst some other factors, you could also consider having a sports drink which would add some more calories and carbs.

Now, keep in mind, fueling doesn’t only happen DURING the run.  To fuel, you are eating before, during, and after your long runs.  When you wake up at 5 am for a 20 mile run, you have essentially fasted since dinner the night before.  In order to start out on the right foot, be sure and eat something when you wake up.  Play around with different things to see what works for you but be sure you’re getting some carbohydrates before you head out.  And, i cannot stress enough the importance of fueling after a run.  **If you do not refuel within 30 minutes of completing your run, you are missing the window of opportunity to properly replenish your muscles.  It is vital to your recovery that you have a protein and carb within 30 minutes of your run.  To ensure that this happens, pack a little cooler with you on your runs with your chocolate milk (proven to be one of the best recovery items) or peanut butter sandwich and have this while you’re stretching, before hopping in your car and heading home.

So, to recap:

* FUEL with sports gels, drinks, chews, or other carbs for ALL runs that are 60+ minutes

* START fueling 45 minutes or 4 miles into your run and continue throughout

* PRACTICE fueling with different brands of gels, drinks, and / or food

* EAT before your long runs (how much depends on how long before the run you eat)

* RE-FUEL within 30 minutes after your long runs

* WATER does not count as “fuel”

Never hesitate to ask questions about fueling!

Thomas shared this very inspiring story with me so I thought I’d pass it on…

http://m.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/bret-dunlap-discovered-running-and-it-changed-his-life?page=single

If you think you can’t do something, think again!

I have tried several times this week to write about the tragedy in Boston but I just haven’t been able to do it.  I am having a hard time putting into words how I felt when I found out about the bombs and how I still feel.

What was such a fun day, even here from Memphis, was absolutely destroyed.  I watched the elites race that morning with live streaming and was as excited as if I were there.  We knew several people running so we had tracked them as well.  About an hour or so after I turned the TV and computer off, I started getting text messages about the bombings.

I didn’t realize at first the magnitude of the bombs.  I didn’t realize that not only would there be deaths, there would be so many severe injuries.  It’s too hard to comprehend.  I simply couldn’t wrap my head around it.  When the reporters started comparing it to a war zone, coupled with the horrific pictures, it just took my breath away.  This is a horrific tragedy no matter the setting but the fact that it happened at a race just makes it feel so personal.   A race is supposed to be your victory march, the cherry on top.  It’s a time for inspiration and celebration.  I know how incredibly inspiring it is to watch a race and often it is in these moments that new runners are born.  I hate to think that instead of inspiration, now the race (or any race, for that matter) is associated with fear.

I’m heartbroken for these people…the runners and spectators.  Most of the coverage today has been about the killers and while I understand the need for that, I have tried to learn more about the victims.  Not only did three innocent people perish in the bombings but over 180 others suffered injuries.  I have read about the newlywed couple who each lost a leg, the dance teacher who suffered severe leg injuries , the young mom who lost both legs, the twenty-something male who lost both legs, the couple who ran the Boston marathon last year who suffered severe injuries, the 6 year old little girl who lost a leg and whose mother suffered a brain injury , and all of the hundred + more who were just there to witness the most epic marathon we have.

I simply cannot imagine the fear that all of these people were and are feeling.  I spent some time as a grief counselor and even with this experience, I’m at a loss for words.  All I know to do in this moment is to run in their honor and not allow them to be forgotten.  Many of these victims will work for months and years to overcome their physical injuries and all of the victims will work for a life time to overcome the mental trauma they have suffered.

I am sickened when I think about my running group experiencing something like this.  Keith and I consider our group our family and I keep finding myself wondering what we would do if something like this happened on our home ground.  I will not, however, allow this fear to seep into my running and my trying to be the best coach and greatest spectator I can be.  Running is what we do.  We do it when we’re happy, when we’re sad, when we’re stressed, to catch up with friends, to better ourselves, and to lead by example.

I will continue to run and I will most certainly continue to spectate.  As President Obama stated, these people “laced up their shoes and set out on a 26.2 mile test of dedication and grit and the human spirit.”  I will remember these victims as I set out on my next run and I will run my next 26.2 for those who may never get the opportunity to do it for themselves.

Pray for Boston.

Imagine taking some golf balls, baseballs, and even some golf tees and just jumping up and down on them for 8 hours….oh, and for good measure, have someone hammer your toes until you feel like they have a life of their own….

I decided over a year ago that the next race I trained for would be an ultra marathon.  I was thrown a bit of a curve ball by not being able to run for 4 months last summer/fall but I wasn’t about to let that change my plans too much.  It meant finding a different race and re-doing my training plan but that’s the easy part.  From my very first run last fall, every run I did had a purpose and the purpose was getting ready for an ultra.  I was prepared to do it alone but was beyond thrilled when Keith told me he would train and run with me.  I could not have done this without his support and company.

So, after many months of brutal training, we were ready to go.  Of course we’ve each battled certain aches, pains, and slight injuries over the past few months so we weren’t sure how our bodies would hold up but we knew we were as ready and prepared as we could be.

It dawned on us Friday night as we were getting our race gear ready that this would be our first “race first” to experience together! When Keith did his first Half Marathon, I had already done one.  When I did my first Marathon, Keith still painstakingly swore he would never do one (and still does!).  When I did my first triathlon, Keith had been racing for years.  When Keith did his first Ironman, I hadn’t even done a triathlon.  So, we were heading into this race with the same amount of unknowns and same amount of accomplishments to be achieved.  This made it all even more exciting.

We awoke on race morning with plenty of time to spare, got to the race site (a barn in the middle of nowhere), and dropped our drop bags at the loop.  Thank goodness I had seen a race report that said head lamps were crucial.  Absolutely, they were!  It was country dark…you know the kind of dark where you can’t see your hand in front of your face.  We decided with about 10 minutes to spare to hit up the porta potties.  There were only 5 and none had toilet paper…how do you not have toilet paper and you still have the 3 races yet to start?  I had some spare tp in my fuel belt so I ran back to get it…thinking the whole time, “gosh, i really can’t see anything and it’s really tough to run on this gravel.  glad we’ll be off of it and on some trails.”  Ha!  If only I had known.  Well, anyway, much to my dismay, I was in the bathroom when the race started!  Those of you who know how Type A I am, know this is not me.  I ran out, found Keith, and we ran backwards to the race start and off we went.  Unfortunately this put us at the very back of what turned out to be a single file line for the first few miles.  I was somewhat irritated but it was so incredibly dark and rocky and uphill that I kept telling myself to just chill.  We were finally able to pass some people and got in a great pocket where it was just the 2 of us for a while.  After 75 or so minutes, the sun finally started to come up.  For some reason, I think we thought being able to see meant that the trail would suddenly not seem so treacherous.  Not so much!  Being able to see almost made it worse.

We made a pact the night before that the first person to “get negative” had to drop and do pushups.  I don’t even remember what Keith said but here’s what came after that

Needless to say, we continued on with a very positive and upbeat day!

This was a 2 loop course (we’re actually not sure what the mileage was- our watches both said 18 miles on the first loop but the aid station volunteers were coming up with just over 16 miles based on where they thought they were stationed.  who really cares at that point?! we ran somewhere between 32 and 36 miles!) so all we had been talking about was just getting through the first loop.  We wanted to do the first loop, know what to expect for the 2nd one, and just go.  We finally got to mile 6 on the first loop and it felt like forever.  Luckily, we started on some good downhill from here.  The first 6 miles wasn’t steep but was a winding climb.  Miles 6 to 10 or so were a little bit rolling but mostly what we would consider flat.  We weren’t at all bothered by the course and felt more than prepared.

The terrain was a totally different story.  It was about 85% loose, large and small rock.  I hadn’t been able to find out much about the course before the race but I did see some pictures of these pine trails that looked awesome.  Those were pretty non-existent.  Apparently it’s typically very rocky on the trails in Texas (hence the name Rocky Hill Ranch) but they said it was even more so this year because of the big rains they had just gotten that week.  Much of the trail was simply not runnable due to the rolling gravel and down or up hills and it didn’t take long for my feet to feel like they were completely shredded on the bottoms.

(here’s what the majority of the trail was like)

We didn’t get too bothered by this though.  We ran when we could run and walked when we had to.  Every now and then we would round a corner and get about 2 or 3 minutes or soft dirt and it felt like butter under our feet.  It was all the relief we needed to give ourselves some pep in our step.  Of course it was always short lived but we were expecting that at this point.  Miles 12 or so until the loop start contained the 3 “big hills” and even more rock.  The hills (named “The Wall”, “The Grind”, and a 3rd I’ve forgotten) didn’t bother us at all on the first loop.  We felt like the Red Loop had more than prepared us for those.  The toughest part about the hills were how slick and steep they were.  After the hills, we had about a mile or so back to the race start where we would start the second loop and do it all again.

I had an arbitrary goal of 8 hours in my head.  It’s hard to come up with a goal when you’re talking about a trail race in which you know nothing about the course or terrain but I still thought it sounded pretty like a decent goal.  I didn’t really care but I kind of wanted something to aim for, in the event I started to hit a dark place.  I had no doubt that we would finish so I wanted something to push for when it really started to get tough.

I wanted to get to the loop start by 3:55 to give us some time to re-fuel our bottles and belts (there were only 2 aid stations along the way and they didn’t have a whole lot so we had planned to refill our bottles from our cooler and our belts) and we had also planned on changing socks if necessary and reapplying Glide or whatever we needed. Speaking of aid stations, there wasn’t a single porta potty in the whole race.  These local races sure have spoiled us!

We got to our drop bags at 4:02 and treated it somewhat like a triathlon transition but it still took us until about 4:10 to leave.  We had hoped that we would eat and drink from the aid stations and keep our belts full but we were depleted instead.  We had been eating at 40 minutes on the dot and doing everything as planned.  I knew we needed to make up 10 minutes on the 2nd loop if we were going to come in under 8 hours but I also knew I was planning to take some pictures and really try to have fun on this 2nd loop…and that it was probably going to become harder than I could even imagine.  Plus, I really didn’t know if we could negative split this race, especially having seen what the first loop held.

It was interesting looping back through the start because there were people that were doing the 25K who were getting their medals and we just kept going.  I never, for one second, wanted to trade places with them though.  We wanted to make this happen so I knew we would.

We were both feeling pretty great, with the exception of foot pain – even Keith was having some foot pain due to the rocks.  Our minds were good, our stomachs were good, and our energy was good.  We did a great job of pushing and pulling each other as it always seems that when one of us was struggling, the other was feeling pretty strong.  We made up about 5 minutes before the first aid station and I was a little surprised it wasn’t more but I was also surprised when I saw the trail we had been running on in the dark!  It’s amazing this klutz didn’t break a leg!

We were really lucky at this point because the weather was cooperating.  It was warming up and humid but still quite overcast and windy.  The wind got tough when we would get out in the open fields but that was often the areas with less rock so it was hard not to love being out there.  My favorite thing about the “production” of the race was the motivational quotes tacked to trees along the way.  We stopped to take pictures of lots of these.

We both started to suffer a good bit around hour 6 but it didn’t slow us down.  It helped to rotate who was running in the front and surprisingly, it really helped to start increasing our speed on the more runnable sections.  Although, hours 6-8 were the toughest hours we’ve ever had, they were also the most awesome.  We were really pushing and fighting off all negativity.  It was then that we felt like we were really giving it our all and we were proud that we were able to push this hard, this far into the race.  There was something pleasantly welcoming about the suffering.  We knew going into this race that we would probably suffer at some point and we really knew after doing Loop 1 that it was going to become increasingly tough.  There’s something about just welcoming the suffering that helped.

We did a good bit of talking and we did a good bit of running in silence but most importantly, we were just in a really great rhythm together.

I became overwhelmed by emotion around mile 28 or 29.  I didn’t let it break my stride and we laughed about it even in the moment but I just suddenly became overwhelmed and started crying!  It wasn’t a “i can’t do this” cry but more of a “holy shit, we’ve really had a great race and i also know how tough these last few miles are going to be” cry.

The last hour was definitely the hardest hour of running of my life but also one of the most rewarding.  We knew at 7:50 that there was no way we were breaking 8 hours (we were about 9 minutes over) but at that point we didn’t care.  We had stopped to take pictures, chatted with people at the aid stations, and just really enjoyed ourselves.  Had we not done those things, yes, we would have broken 8 by a few minutes but our experiences weren’t worth giving that time back. Plus, even with all of that, we had negative splits on the 2nd loop!  Very proud of how we ran and how we managed to stay together and focused for 8 hours.  And not to mention that we finished strong!  (25% of the 50 mile field was a DNF and 13% of the 50K field was a DNF)

Keith, thank you for training with me, running with me, and allowing this ridiculous goal to be our anniversary trip!  There’s nobody else in the entire world that I would rather suffer for 8 hours with

We took this picture as we finished our last “long” run before we head to TX for our next race.  We just had to laugh as we were trudging  through the trails in the pouring rain to get this last 10 miles in.  It’s been a loooong few months trying to get ready for this race but it’s been great.  It’s interesting the things you’ll do and the things you enjoy when you have a goal in sight.

I spent 4 months last summer unable to run due to some back problems so I have been extra careful reintroducing running and upping my mileage since September but I knew immediately I wanted to focus on a new race.  With this focus came a refreshed love of the sport and a will to get out there and train no matter what.  I can’t think of the last time Keith and I have been on the same training schedule so this has been extra fun.  I’ve been lucky to have Keith by my side for almost every one of these training runs.

We’re certainly at that point in training where we’re tired, our bodies hurt, we were craving the taper but now we’re craving the run, we’re wondering if we did enough, we’re knowing we’re ready, but, most of all, we’re just happy with where we are.  I spent September, October, and November running the trails during the week, immediately followed by a visit to the PT (2 times a week) and my long runs were slowly ramping up.  November 23 was my first longish run in 8 months and kind of kicked off our long run Fridays.

SInce late November, we have not had a long run under 13 miles and most have been upwards of 18+.  We’ve run 3 marathon distance runs in the past 10 or so weeks.  No wonder we’re tired!  I never thought I would run 3 marathons in 10 weeks.  In realizing this, I’ve decided to give myself a bit of a break…not a break from running but a break from worrying about whether or not we’ve done enough.  I know I’ve done all I could do while trying to rehab my back and the same time I’m upping my mileage.

It’s definitely been a fun and adventurous few months

I spent several months, 2-3 times a week in the above position.  I would just lay there and plot my next run.  Fortunately, after 4 mentally agonizing months, I got the ok to go for a run.  Yay!

Keith and I immediately hit the trails.  It was pure heaven!  The sun on my body, mud on my legs, and a much needed few miles with my best friend.  I was back!  I knew I needed to be careful so I continued PT for another couple of months (and have now continued my PT exercises on my own).

This was one of our first runs at Shelby Forest when we were training for Swamp Stomper. Yuk!  I have a healthy fear of snakes so although I also hate the cold, I was kind of welcoming it to get rid of these little boogers.  This one had zero desire to move off the trail!

This was an interesting run.  The snow was weighing the trees down so it was more of a limbo the whole time.  Beautiful though.

This run (above) was a 20 miler, about 32 degrees, and rained the entire time.  We tried to make the best of it by stopping at our favorite overlook and taking a quick picture.

This picture (above) was taken as we’re nearing the finish line at Swamp Stomper.

With all the rain, we’ve had lots of flooded trails over the past few months!

Here’s one of my favorites.  Seriously, we have to cross that?

Georgia and Keith were my sherpas one day I had to do 26 and Keith was injured.  I think it was in the low 20′s the entire rain and this is the day I had to build bridges just to get through the trail.  Stretching with my girl before we head home.

Before Sylamore…17 degrees wind chill and light snow flurries.

After Sylamore.  Ouch!

Taking a moment to save this turtle to scoot this turtle down into a field.

It’s definitely been a fun few months with lots of adventure, lots of cold weather, lots of rain, and lots of great time with Keith.  I think I’ll actually miss this training when it’s all said and done but I certainly won’t miss my hat, gloves, tights, and numerous layers.  Bring on the heat….just leave the snakes behind!

We see these things all the time….the “rules” and commandments of running.  I came across this one on Facebook and thought it was worth sharing.  Some silly, some so true!

Enjoy  (oh, and of course i had to put my 2 cents beside some of them)

53 Runners Commandments

1. Don’t be a whiner. Nobody likes a whiner, not even other whiners.
2. Walking out the door is often the toughest part of a run. (so true.  even i dread going for a run sometimes….usually when it’s cold…but i’m always glad i did)
3. Don’t make running your life. Make it part of your life.
4. During group training runs, don’t let anyone run alone. (this one just kind of makes my heart swell.  i have made some of my greatest friendships on the roads, just trying to not run alone)
5. Keep promises, especially ones made to yourself.
6. When doing group runs, start on time no matter who’s missing. (ugh, this is so hard to do when so many people are late but, i agree.  it’s nice to start on time!)
7. The faster you are the less you should talk about your times.
8. Keep a quarter in your pocket. One day you’ll need to call for a ride.
9. Don’t compare yourself to other runners. (very good one.  biggest mistake we all make.  compare yourself you you.)
10. All runners are equal, some are just faster than others.
11. Keep in mind that the later in the day it gets, the more likely it is that you won’t run.
12. For a change of pace, get driven out and then run back.
13. If it was easy, everybody would be a runner.
14. When standing in starting lines, remind yourself how fortunate you are to be there.
15. Getting out of shape is much easier than getting into shape. (so true.  i read once that for 2 weeks missed, it could take you 8 weeks to catch back up. sounds drastic but, point is, keep moving!)
16. A bad day of running still beats a good day at work.
17. Talk like a runner. “Singlets” are worn on warm days. “Tank tops” are worn to the beach. (“fuel” is eaten on a run and “food” is eaten on your plate.)
18. Don’t talk about your running injuries. People don’t want to hear about your sore knee or black toe.
19. Don’t always run alone.
20. Don’t always run with people.
21. Approach running as if the quality of your life depended on it. (i LOVE this one!  our quality of life does depend on it!)
22. No matter how slow you run it is still faster than someone sitting on a couch.
23. Keep in mind that the harder you run during training, the luckier you’ll get during racing.
24. Races aren’t just for those who can run fast.
25. There are no shortcuts to running excellence.
26. The best runs sometimes come on days when you didn’t feel like running.
27. Be modest after a race, especially if you have reason to brag.
28. If you say, “Let’s run this race together,” then you must stay with that person no matter how slow.
29. Think twice before agreeing to run with someone during a race.
30. There is nothing boring about running. There are, however, boring people who run.
31. Look at hills as opportunities to pass people.
32. Distance running is like cod liver oil. At first it makes you feel awful, then it makes you feel better.
33. Never throw away the instructions to your running watch.
34. Don’t try to outrun dogs.
35. Don’t trust runners who show up at races claiming to be tired, out of share, or not feeling well.
36. Don’t wait for perfect weather. If you do, you won’t run very often. (couldn’t be more true, especially since Memphis rarely has perfect weather.)
37. When tempted to stop being a runner, make a list of the reasons you started.
38. Never run alongside very old or very young racers. They get all of the applause.
39. Without goals, training has no purpose. (yes, yes, yes.  we should always have goals whether it’s a new distance, new PR, not to walk, whatever)
40. During training runs, let the slowest runner in the group set the pace. (i really like the idea of this but i know several people who would really struggle with this)
41. The first year in a new age group offers the best opportunity for trophies.
42. Go for broke, but be prepared to be broken.
43. Spend more time running on the roads than sitting on the couch.
44. Make progress in your training, but progress at your own rate.
45. “Winning” means different things to different people.
46. Unless you make your living as a runner, don’t take running too seriously.
47. Runners who never fail are runners who never try anything great.
48. Never tell a runner that he or she doesn’t look good in tights. (usually tights look better than shorts anyway!)
49. Never confuse the Ben-Gay tube with the toothpaste tube.
50. Never apologize for doing the best you can.
51. Preventing running injuries is easier than curing them. (the truest “commandment” on here)
52. Running is simple. Don’t make it complicated.
53. Running is always enjoyable. Sometimes, though, the joy doesn’t come until the end of the run.

Anyway, i enjoyed reading through those.  Just kind of makes you stop and think about what kind of runner you want to be and what kind you are.

I had one of those moments today during my run…the “why” moment.  I was coming up on mile 10 or so and thought, “why are you doing all of this?  why are you spending so much time running?”  I wasn’t feeling particularly bad but I also wasn’t feeling particularly good.  This is usually when I start to question myself the most.

Fortunately for me, I had many more miles to contemplate the “why”, as I was just settling in for what would be another 26 mile training run (and 21 for Keith!).  My tendinitis is flaring up again and my “no mans land”, as my massage therapist likes to call it, where the quad connects to the ITBand is currently comprised of “tangled scar tissue” which causes pretty awful knee pain.  My feet are feeling like they have nails going in them.  Miles 15-20 were a decent struggle since that part of the trail was filled with a good bit of sand.

On the flip side though, I finally feel like I have my fueling back in order after several weeks of nauseating runs, Keith joined me after about an hour, the sun was out, I was no longer needing 3 layers of clothing, and, best of all, miles 20-26 were my fastest.  All in all, a pretty awesome run.

Not all runs are this “awesome” though.  For instance, we ran Monday and it was awful.  Seven miles felt like 70….or what I can only assume 70 would feel like.  Shit.  We took a tumble where somehow I managed to do a somersault over Keith’s head and landed facing backwards.  After that, pretty much nothing felt right.  That’s what’s so funny about running.  Some days are epic and some days just plain stink.  Plus, this is the first time in many years that I have done all of my running outside of my group so on top of the running group, work, trying to be a good wife to Keith and mom to Georgia, cooking, blah blah blah, we’ve also been logging somewhere between 10 and 12 hours of running a week for the past several months.  It’s been really tough but rather than “finding the time”, we’ve just made the time.

I definitely had moments of struggle today and veered awfully close to “the dark place” a few times but as quickly as I would almost get there, I would get out.  After lots of contemplation on the “why” today, what I finally came up with is WHY NOT?!