Getting Ready

So far, so good. I've put in 15.9 miles this week. I just got off the phone with Barb - we are meeting in the morning for a five miler, and then I'll walk at the track tomorrow night. Or, maybe just sit around and harass runners. That will put me at the start line on Saturday with about 21 miles, which is only one tiny mile off my plan. Pretty good.

And...I'm down 3.5 pounds in a month. A nice slow loss, lots of healthy eating (except for that little bread pudding lapse). I have focused on two things this month: healthy choices and portion control. I'm getting a minimum of two cups of vegetables a day, and three fruits. In an effort to get plenty of protein, I'm supplementing with nutrition bars. Of course, that is in addition to the soy milk, and soy protein sources I eat at lunch and dinner. Plus, lots of almonds. And, as always, I'm trying to drink more. I feel good eating this way - I haven't felt any extra fatigue, so I'm confident I'm eating enough.

I decided to carry two bottles of chocolate soy milk in the marathon this weekend, and then drink water at the aid stations. I've been using the soy milk as my primary fuel source (instead of gels) since Orcas. It works well for me - goes down easy and ensures I'm getting fluid. Usually I take one bottle of water and one of soy, then refill as needed via drop bag or race support. This is a point-to-point course through a river canyon with only one point of access for spectators in the middle somewhere. Sonya will be there supporting us all, but I'm not sure she'll be at the midpoint - I think she'll just be at the end, so I need to carry what I need for the whole race.

Speaking of Sonya, she is making her comeback - she did not have to have surgery. She had a cyst form behind her knee, probably from irritation where the IT inserts into the knee. She's had to wait patiently for it to drain. Lately she's finally been able to run again for 40 minutes at a time.

And in other good news, a big welcome to Steve, Marathon Maniac #510! Don't be lulled into thinking he is a newbie though - he has 10 lifetime marathons and 16 ultras under his belt - starting way back in 1975. We met Steve when he joined the Y group - he was making his comeback from extensive knee surgery. Since then (one year ago) he has run nine ultras and three marathons. I think he found his running home when joined the Y Run Club and met Rob and Eric!

MM#402, signing off from the Pacific Northwest, where the sun makes a brief appearance, the winter legs are startlingly white and the Maniacs abound!