Keep Your Eyes Ahead

Let's talk About Goals, Baby:

• A Goal: Qualify for Boston Marathon with time of 3:45:59 or better.
• B Goal: 4:00 or better.
• C Goal: 4:15 or better.
• D Goal, as in Massive Ankle/Fibula Implosion: Just Finish. Crawl If Need Be.
  

Ankle-Fibula Update: After an entire week of RICE, Redneck Style (I did upgrade from the dish rag to an Ace bandage provided by my co-worker so instead of a trashy gimp I looked like a more professional gimp) and a drastically reduced running schedule, I am happy to report that the problem seems to be nearly resolved. Pain while walking is nonexistent and pain while running is very slight and disappears as I warm up. After weeks of pain and worry this is a welcome feeling indeed.

Mental Health Report: I'm freaking out. Yeah. Like, totally. My helpful friend said, "They should totally invent some sort of 'chill pill' that people could take a couple of days before a big event. Oh, wait, it's called Xanax... anyway, probably not a good time to be all hepped out on Xanax."

Sadly, I think you're right, E. I'm going to have enough trouble managing the adrenaline rush.

Nutrition Report: I have been hitting the carbs pretty hard this week and wonder of wonders I have not had any alcohol since Tuesday night when I went out with a bang by ingesting a Nutty Martini (vodka plus Frangelico) and then a Stone Brewing Co. IPA and an Erie Brewing Co. Misery Bay IPA. It's been teetotaler town since then. And lest ye think I'm forswearing my Booze Hounds Inc. credentials, I have been looking longingly at John's dinnertime beers all week. One of the first things I have on my list of things to do after the race (aside from "collapse in a heap") is to have myself a big frosty one at the party headquarters for all of the RF501 people.

Random Thoughts: Nerves aside, I'm so ready for this. I'm in fantastic shape. I'm healthy. I've been training for months. My confidence is high. I can't wait. I can't wait to stand shivering at the starting line with 4,999 of my closest friends come Sunday morning as we all embark on our personal journeys.

I checked with the Free Press web site's list of registered marathon participants and my name was on the list. I had this fear that I was going to arrive at packet pick-up tomorrow only to be told they had no record of my registration.

My biggest dilemma: which headband am I going to wear? I have to make a STATEMENT, people! I need to select one that will scream "Here I come!" to any folks who might be keeping an eye out for me. Right now I'm thinking the black one with the really big white and pink polka dots or maybe one of the brightly-striped ones (the one I'm wearing in the picture might do the trick). I'll be wearing my official RF501 shirt and some variety of shorts, probably my blue Asics ones because they're the most comfortable and least prone to binding and chafing.

Motivation: The Helio Sequence, "Keep Your Eyes Ahead." I've been listening to this on a nearly endless loop at work all day today.

Keep your eyes on right
Keep your eyes on right ahead

Keep your rudders right
Keep your rudders right ahead



LET'S GO!