"Marathon Brain"

Having been associated with too many friends and family members who have dealt with cancer and endured the rigours of chemo, I am well familiar with the term "Chemo Brain." Chemo Brain is the term used to describe the condition where, after having experienced chemotherapy to treat their cancer, people are unable to concentrate on their work, or unable to juggle multiple tasks. Some find they don't remember things as well as they used to.

I propose a new study into the effects of a phenomenon that I call "Marathon Brain." Marathon Brain occurs when one is training for a marathon or other endurance event and, while in the throes of vigorous training or recovery, one has difficulty remembering what one has just said, done, was going to do, or what is supposed to be done tomorrow. The only exception to the rule is that the number of miles on the training plan for any given day of the week is always in the forefront of the mind.

The closer I get to my marathon, the worse my symptoms are becoming. Now that I'm entering the "taper" phase of my training, my kids will be fortunate if I even remember to take them to school. Oh, look. It's 5:30. What are we going to eat for dinner tonight. Um, dinner?