The Carbo Loading starts now

So its Thursday evening, we leave tomorrow morning for Oakland via Baltimore and then drive to Monterey for the big race on Sunday. Couldn't think of what else to eat for dinner so I'm having pasta...Have made the decision to leave the laptop at home and enjoy a total vacation away from email and drama [don't ask me how the DC Tri Club board is going..you don't want to know].

I've been on the verge of tears for the past few days not because I'm blue or sad, but because I think I'm overwhelmed with the marathon, traveling, selling the house, moving, oh, yea, two more races in May and June...whew...when is it over? Here's the most sad example of how easily I could cry; we were watching "The Deadliest Catch" on Discovery Channel the other night and there was a man thrown overboard from another boat and the crew from the boat "we" were watching rescued him...it was emotional. These big tough fishermen were crying so why not me too.

The house is now painted inside [something I should have done years ago], the new windows go in on Thursday next week, the paperwork to list the property has been signed, list price of $385k, new roof [less than 3 yrs old], kitchen updated less than 6 mos ago, bamboo floors, 3 br, 1 1/2 ba, off street parking, quiet street near the Atlas District. [How does that sound for sales??]. Oh yea, security system pre-installed, and no, Toby is not "conveying" with the house.

So back to the big race; I'm hoping to finish in under 5 hrs, here's a link to the course, with the elevation and the race is Rural and low tech...no way to track me on the way. I'll let you know when I'm done whether I actually crossed the finish line or not. The marathon web site is http://www.bsim.org and since the race is one way, we'll be taking a bus from Monterey at 4:15 a.m. to the race start, which isn't 'till 6:45, it only takes about 1 hr to drive to the start...so we'll be hanging around waiting to begin for at least 1 1/2 hrs. hmmmm...what to do what to do....

I'll take photos, not during the race although that thought did cross my mind. I started to freak out about not having a pocket in the outfit I've decided to wear so I bought a wrist band that has a zipper pocket in it...still not sure what I'm going to PUT in the pocket but it comforts me to HAVE a pocket.

For those of you out there who have done a marathon [and you know who you are], and advice on how to minimize post race pain would be helpful. I intend to take a 10 min ice bath post race, eat my way from one end of Carmel to Seaside and back, and sleep a great deal. We'll be headed to SF on Monday for two days of limping around the worst walking city post marathon. I've sworn to buy myself a Paul Frank t-shirt as a reward if I finish. And if not, I may still get it to drown my sorrows.

Essentially the running goals have been achieved; 10 is the new 6 and hills ARE my friends...John says I'm much better than when we started but its hard for me to tell. I'm sure I am but it still isn't as much fun as biking. I've learned valuable lessons about the value of having a good massuse, the need to stretch often and don't skimp on the painkillers/anti-inflamitories. Advil IS your friend.

More post race but hope all is well with you and yours!!

Cory