24 hours

funny, it's sunday. our plan was to go to the charles and see the women run the olympic trials, get up early, get coffee, get inspired. thinking about the week before, the "right" decision was made, sleep in. yeah, that worked out awesome, my eyes sprung open at 645A. so here is am watching it on the computer and thinking about all of the things i have to do today, and of course tomorrow. i've done this enough so one might think it would be old hat, but it's not, i promise you that. it does not get easier, more manageable, or less nerve-wracking. in preparation for tomorrow, my bag is packed, so since i had time i decided to looked at my self-proclaimed "things to do" (and not to do).

pedicure - yesterday... risky i know, but i came out alright, with of course lincoln park after dark.

H2O - i've become obsessed with coconut water (vita coco, found in your grocers refrigerator) the "natural rehydrator" with 660 grams of potassium. the only weird thing is it has the asparagus effect, you know what i mean right?

carbing - sure. i can't say i'm pounding pasta, but i am eating like it is my job and with that getting much exercise with all of the trips to the bathroom.

boozing - 3 drinks at red bones, that's it.

massage - visited michaela on thursday, calves are feeling fine, head is feeling better.

s*cky people - yeah, i tried, i'll leave it at that.

good people - every year the most incredible people come out of the wood works with amazing pre-race words. between the emails, cards, phone calls & of course text messages, i'm blowing up (i think that's what the kids these days say).

journal - 1 day of blogging doesn't really count i guess.

JFC - unfortunately i did not make it there this week, but i am looking SO forward to seeing Hunter and the rest of the kids tonight and tomorrow on the bridge!

shaved my legs this AM (TMI).

jock - na

chocolate - ate it.

shoes - stayed off the high ones, but i have to say walking around the house barefoot isn't less dangerous... stubbed my toe twice on the same darn thing this morning. OUCH!

phantom pains - knee twinges... oh jeez.

contrast bath - how about a hot shower, "the stick," and bio-freeze.

fundraising letter-went out on friday. my goal was to hit $10K my monday, it's looking good!

lube - if i started now that would just be weird and something i would not be talking about on this blogsite.

hugs-i have, and have, and have, and the day just started.

JACK-nothing major yet, but i'm coming for ya mister!

with all of that said, thank you for reading. the trials just finished deena castor had a come from behind effort to win. although it would have been nice to be there to cheer on our american ladies making a bid for the 2008 olympics in beijing, quite honestly i don't need them to inspire me. i get all of the inspiration i need from a 6 year old cancer patient.

on last tip or word of advice - the pasta party will give you far more than the carbs you will need to get through monday. stop-look-listen and take it all in. in 24 hours you will be running! don't be in a rush enjoy every second of it. you are about to experience something most people never will.

godspeed my running friends, see you at the finish line!

laurie

say it like it is

It is official, I am in pre-race mode. I just finished reading the posts on the DFMC website and I am so frustrated. I am familiar with the questions that pop up this time of year. But, I have my rituals and I don't want to deviate from them. What I am searching for are answers to the really important race day questions. Is there anyone out there that would be able to help me with these:

1. If the 2008 singlet makes me look fat, can I wear one from a previous year that is more slimming?
2. Is it acceptable to wear white running shoes even though it is not yet Memorial day?
3. What is the maximum amount of crap that I can wear on my body on race day and still look like I am actually a runner and not a tourist?
4. Since Aimee and Laurie are running this year, should I pack two watches or three?

Rest hard,
John

Since I am unable to work or focus on anything but the race, I will answer Papa John's questions, and add a few of my own.

1. You are the sexiest 49 year old man I know. You could not look fat in your singlet.
2. You are ok with white. As long as you are not wearing linen running shorts or argyle socks, you're fine.
3. It's tough to quantify crap...but I think if you go iPod, fuel belt, garmin, shades, and carry a cell phone with built in camera, you should be fine.
4. No answer for 4.

My questions:

1. If I cramp up (like I did in Phoenix last year) late in the race but I'm on track to qualify, should I stop and find a porto-potty or just poop in my pants?
2. Will shaving my head, legs and arms make me less wind resistant and thus faster? Will Laurie's waxing make me faster by reverse osmosis?
3. For my running tunes, should I go with loud "pump" music to keep me pushing or maybe change it up and relax with classical to calm my nerves and bring down the heart rate?
4. If I order a Bass Ale tonight for John and leave it on the bar to honor his absence, how long will it take for Jack to drink it?

Matt,

Thank you for helping me out. I will now try to do the same.

1. I would say port-o-potty. It is only cool to poop in your pants when you are on TV.
2. Shaving will definitely make you faster, but you forgot chest and back, two hairy areas where shaving provides the added bonus of helping you lose weight. As for the osmosis part, I need more information, are we talking Brazilian?
3. I might go with some smooth jazz to keep you mellow and on pace. John Coltrane. "Favorite Things."
4. My suggestion is to tell Jack that I called and I am stuck in traffic and I will be there shortly. Let's see how long that can hold him off.

Have a good day,

John

To Do's & To Don'ts....

here goes ladies and gents.... with 7 days to go i, as a 10 year vet of this crazy game of marathoning, want to impart some wisdom (stop snickering). with that said here goes nothin'....

ladies, if you haven't gotten a pedicure go NOW and go DARK, do not wait another day. Not only will you not want anyone touching those toes the week after, you don't want to see whats going on under that polish.

drink water - OBVI - but if you aren't use to drinking a lot, you'll shock your system if you start pounding it sunday afternoon.

don't over carb early in the week, cause you'll just feel like crap. with that said, don't do anything that different to your diet at this stage. however, you might want to stay away from the fried food, or barbeque, or anything else you can get at red bones.

cool the boozin' monday, wednesday, thursday, friday & saturday.

go for a good, hard 10 mile run on thursday - KIDDING.... just wanted to see if you were paying attention.

rub it down (i said DOWN)... get a massage - and may i suggest my girl michaela she ROCKS the muscles like no other and has probably made a pain-free arrival to the start line possible for this old gal. (i love love love you girl!) if you need references, all members of the twentysixpointoomanymiles staff have seen her at least once with the last 5 days.

rid your week (all 7 days of it) of people who s*ck.

surround yourself with people who will pump you up. let them tell you how great you are, because you are (well, most of you).

journal this last week so you can look back and laugh at how freakin' nervous you were.

if you can, take a trip to the JFC, there a a lot of kids there you won't see at mile 25. if you need any inspiration at all you will certainly get it there.

gals - don't wait until monday AM to shave (or wax), tight clothes, sweat, rubbing, you get what i'm saying, right?

guys - please pack your jock. shorts optional.

(i can't believe i'm going to write this one) jack says stay away from chocolate... well what he actually says is keep the sugar intake low.... sorry jack, chocolate is love.

stay close to the ground... meaning your shoes... stay off the stiletto's - no question they are hot especially for you dudes in skirts, but this will be the week you fall off of them.

don't freak if out of the blue you have a joint or muscle pain, they're called phantom pains, it's in your head, you are fine.

but if not, there is always the contrast bath, from heat to ice. heat, stretch & rub, then plop yourself into an ice bath.... just ask matt how small, i mean good it is.

for crying out loud, send out your fundraising letter (oops, i think/hope that just applies to me)

on monday lube lube lube EVERYWHERE! your nipples (boys) & sports bra (girls), belly button, crotchal region, armpits, toes, thighs, you name it, just vas the crap out of yourself, and for goodness sake, don't be modest. but if you are just yell out "no one look over here i'm lubing!" that'll definitely keep people from peeking.

hug as many people as you can, actually just hug fast people, it'll make you faster by osmosis.

and last but seriously not least, talk to jack if you are not feeling "right," body or head... i've called on him for 10 years now. not only will he talk you off the ledge, he will give you the necessary & magical information that will make monday, april 21st one of the best days of your life. i promise. we love ya jack!

7 days.... GULP....
taper on friends