Friday, July 14, 2006

More Planning

We are having a relay team meeting tonight, so I spent the morning working on relay prep. I created a chart of all the runners, their leg numbers, distances, estimated paces and estimated finish times. I made copies of the charts, the race handbook and the directions for each leg. I gathered forms for additional drivers for each van and I made a list of items to discuss for the meeting. Yesterday we had a last minute substitution, using up the last of our planned alternates. I sure hope no one else pulls out. I think I am ready for the meeting...

I know I'm ready for the race. I have the same legs as last year - the easiest set. All three legs are under 4 miles each, and my total mileage is 10.78. The rest of the team has from 12 to 16 mile totals. Last year I chose this set of legs because I knew there were potential difficulties with my health. This year, we divvied up the legs way back in early spring, before I had surgery, and I still wasn't sure about my health. Now I know I'm strong and could handle any of the legs. If we do it again next year I'll see if I can try a new set - might as well see some new scenery! For now though, my toughest leg will be the first. I'll be running at approximately 4:45 pm, it is predicted to be about 82 degrees and I have a mile long hill to face. If everything goes according to plan, I'll be running again around 1:15 am, and then about 8:00 am.

Yesterday I logged 6.6 miles in the morning and about 3.5 in the evening. I'm planning 5 tomorrow, then (gulp) I'm still on track for the 16 miler on Sunday. Oh my. Sonya and I are running it together so it should be fun. And since we haven't seen Rob all week, we're hoping to run into him on the trail. Sonya and I have both been carrying a water bottle on all our runs - the Ultimate Direction ones with the pocket. I get really tired of it, but the race instructions for the half say to plan on carrying a hydration source. Sonya tried out a fanny pack type camel-bak last week and is considering a purchase. I think I'm going to stick with the hand-held and refill at aid stations.

And just because my dear friend, Veggie-boy, asked, an update on the toe. It is finally healing. Finally. No sign of a new toenail yet though. The toe on the other foot keeps re-blistering, but it is much smaller and seems to be less each time. Here's what I've been doing for my poor toes: first, smear with Aquaphor (thank you Donald), then on with a toe-cap (I got them at the running store, kind of a clear, soft silicone (?) thingie that slides right over the toe), then on with the Injinji toe-socks. I have to admit though, I think part of the reason they are better is that the weather cooled off and gave them a chance to heal. We'll see how they do after Sunday.

And finally, once again for Veggie-boy, dinner plans for tonight are BLT's made with soy bacon - yum!

Whoops! One more thing... A small miracle is occuring at our house. Down the hall, first door on the right. A CLEAN ROOM. Voluntarily, might I add. And now, out in the driveway. CLEANING OUT THE CAR. Those who know our Riley will know just how amazing this is. How did this happen, you ask? New girlfriend. She's coming over to meet us tomorrow. She obviously holds the power of cleanliness in her sweet little hand!

9 comments:

Unknown said...

I probably won't see you on the trail on Sunday, but I will probably see you tomorrow so I can sign the driver forms if you need me to. Can't stay for coffee though. I know, LAME!

onepinkfuzzy said...

must keep this girlfriend...hahahaha!

that's a lot of work you are putting into your relay! sounds like a second job :)

I have a few UD handhelds, and a UD waist pack. I love UD.

Olga said...

Clean room - clean girlfriend...hmm, better than not, but scary as she does exist:)

Anonymous said...

The effect a boyfriend or girlfriend can have on our children is simply astonishing isn't it? You hit me right where I'm living with that one.

tryathlete said...

Take the girlfriend out for a trip to the hills!

What would your relay team do without you to handle the charts and all?

Anne said...

Yes, toenails are very slow to grow back. I've been waiting a couple of years on mine. And thank goodness for small miracles, huh? I'm still waiting for one (or two) in this house.

Thomas said...

In that case, it will be a while until mine will voluntarily clean their rooms - a dozen years or so.

The relay will be great fun!

matt said...

hehehe, are you going to break out all of the embarrasing pictures of riley as a little boy. that is your god-given privilege as a mother, right? :)

very impressed with the planning of the relay...i can't wait to see how it goes for you and the team.

and, watch out for that Veggie-boy...soon he is going to have everyone off of coffee, starbucks will go out of business, and you will not have a place to meet with your runners. oh, that robb!!!!

soyBLT sounds very interesting. i have only had tofupups as far as fake meat products go and those were pretty decent. perhaps you should open a veggie diner...now that would be cool:)

Ryan said...

Relay's are a lot of fun...I was trying to get a team together for the EMS Reach the Beach relay a 200 mile race across New Hampshire, I had a few friends interested but you need a team of twelve o’well maybe next year. RP relay looks like a great event....good luck, it will be a lot of fun =) I just wrote a review on the Camelbak Alterra waist pack, this is a great option for any distance and its just as easy as a water bottle to fill-up at the aid stations!