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May 23, 2006

Finally, It Starts

The obsessing, that is. I'm totally useless at work this week. Partially because I'm feeling a little zoned out from this stupid wee little cold I picked up over the weekend. It's not a severe cold, so I don't think it'll affect me too much even if it hasn't cleared up by Sunday. On the plus side, though, I'm doing lots of sleeping, drinking lots of water, taking my zinc, and it does feel like it's moving through my system pretty quickly. I expect that by tonight or tomorrow I'll sound like I've had a pack-a-day smoking habit for the past 40 years, which means that I'll have almost kicked this thing. I'll be fine by Sunday. Just fine.

I've got my packing list in my head. I did my 20-miler in the clothing I'm planning to wear for race day, and that was all A-OK. I'm still torn on the shoes - do I wear the older pair with 100 miles on them or the newer pair with 20 miles on them? Both rank equally on the blister-causing scale. I'll probably end up taking both and making my final decision on race day, although I'm 95% certain that I'll go with the new shoes because they'll give me a psychological edge (or at least I think they will). Let's face it: I'm a girl. New shoes will do a ridiculous amount for my mental state. With new shoes, I'll be able to take over the world! Plus, they're still all clean and purty.

Then there's the Bodyglide (don't. forget. the Bodyglide), the socks, and my lucky pink hat to remember. There's also the hairstyle question: do I go with the standard ponytail? Or should I bust out the pigtails of power? I'm thinking pigtails. If I'm serious about kicking some ass on Sunday, then it's really the only way to go.

Snacks. Don't forget my on-the-run snacks of Clif Bloks and Gu. What about breakfast? I'm giving some serious thought to packing a peanut butter and honey sandwich to take with me. It's pretty close to the peanut butter and honey toast I've been having for breakfast before my long runs, and it'll travel/keep well for a day. Or do I wing it? I'm sure that the hotel will have some sort of continental breakfast with a suitable alternative, but I'm not sure I trust it. I like my peanut butter and honey toast. I'm totally going to end up just packing the sandwich. Crazy? Perhaps, but at least I'm not taking a full cooler full of food for the weekend. It's just a sandwich.

Lastly, there's the pace group situation. There's no 4:45 group, but there is a 4:30 group. Do I go for it and start with the 4:30 group, falling back if I need to? I think I just might. I'll run it by the coach, but I'm pretty sure she'll tell me to go for it and just pay attention to how I feel. She's far more confident in my abilities than I am, but so far she's been right. Apparently she knows more than I do about these things. 4:30 is certainly an ambitious time goal, but it's not out of the question, and if the pace leader is a good one? I might just surprise myself. I think I'm a little scared of it, but I think I'll do it and fall back if I need to. No guts no glory, right? Plus, a pace group means company! People to run with! That could make a huge difference for me. Still, 4:30. Eeek. I'm sure I can do it, in a very abstract sort of theoretical way. I've even been thinking of my goal for this race as 4:30 - 4:45. Still, when it comes down to the matter of actually getting out there and running a 4:30? Um, yeah. Eeeek.

Five days out. Two days of work left. I hope no one actually needs me to do anything useful.

Posted by Dawn at May 23, 2006 08:31 AM

Comments

Posted by: jeff at May 23, 2006 09:24 AM

Posted by: Simba's Mom at May 23, 2006 09:59 AM

Posted by: Heath at May 23, 2006 10:08 AM

Posted by: ShoreTurtle at May 23, 2006 11:36 AM

Posted by: marathonmike at May 23, 2006 11:51 AM

Posted by: Jay T at May 23, 2006 09:12 PM