Race Manifesto - Updated <10/17/2009>

1. I will REST, REST, REST between now and the marathon.

2. I will drink at least 8 cups of water a day before the marathon.

3. I will eat food that will fuel my body.

4. I will fill my thoughts with seeing 3:20 as I cross the finish line.

5. I will stay warm and dry until the race starts and then pretend that there is no wind, no cold and no rain.

6. I WILL drink something at every water station and GU every 30 - 45 minutes.

7. I will keep the 3:20 pace group in site the first 1/2 and pass them the second 1/2.

8. I will believe I can do it!

9. No matter my finish time, I will rejoice and pat myself on the back for accomplishing something I could NOT have done 4 months ago.

Slept the Day Away

Wednesday I called in sick, took a Unison, and slept until 3:30pm in the afternoon. I read until dinner, put the girls to bed, and watch some TV with with Becky. I was still under the weather the next morning, but my yesterday morning I was doing MUCH better. Today I feel incredible, but still have a slight headache and a little stuffy. I'll be fine for race day!

Thank you Becky for letting me get the much needed rest on Wednesday! I love you, and thank you for being so understanding of me going after the mid-life goal of mine. :0)

If nothing else, this cold has allowed me to FULLY rest my body. Not exactly how I would have liked to have done this, but psychologically, it was easier not to run while I was sick. I have not run since Saturday when I started feeling sick and did my 8 mile tempo run. I'm ready to kick this things butt!

Finally got a Cold

It had to happen... I've been fighting this as hard as I could, but I have 4 sick women in my house and they finally gave me a cold. I'm taking Zicam, which seems to help, but it did not make for a fun 8 mile tempo on Sunday. I'm sure this will be over in the next 4 days...

On a side note, I experience my first mysterious pains during taper. I got shin splints just warming up on Sunday and pain in my left foot. What?! I haven't had this in 4 months of training. I iced my shins and foot that night, and I feel better today. I've read an article from Runner's World on this type of thing and I've heard other people discuss this too. Some not realizing it's all part of the Taper.

Last Weekend before the Big Event

Yesterday I ran a great tempo run for 5 miles. I cranked up the last mile with a fast than 7 minute pace that was mostly up hill. The other miles were 7:33 or faster. I felt great! I need a 7:37 pace for 26.2 miles... That will be tougher.

Saturday I have an 8 mile tempo run. I'm really looking forward to that!

It's throwing me off not getting up to 'train' every morning. Everything I've read tells me it's what my body needs.

A Dad and his Daughter

I'm 2 weeks out from my marathon, and today I was able to run a 1 mile race with my oldest daughter Lily. She did her 1 mile race in 13:18. I am very pleased. We had a great day and she had a wonderful experience in her first race. I am hoping this will lead to a life time of fitness for all my girls. Callie and Ashley enjoyed cheering their older sister on.