Well, folks, we're almost there. Here's what my preparations are looking like:
IT band update. You've heard me moaning about my IT band for about a month now. Well, some positive news: all that icing, taking naproxen, rolling, sticking and stretching is FINALLY paying off. My chiro saw that my left foot pronates like crazy, and suggested a special lacing routine on my shoes to leave plenty of room in the toe box (did you know that your feet swell when you run long distances? Sexy, I know.) but support the ankles. Well, it all came together. I ran pain-free with very little stiffness for the first time in three weeks yesterday. My IT band was a bit sore and stiff last night, but still - a major improvement. I feel more optimistic about race day than I have in three weeks. I think I might actually cross that finish line!
Leading me to my regular regimen this week:
- Twice a day, at least: work over my quads, glutes (to the extent possible), and calf muscles with The Stick; use the foam roller on my IT band. Stretch the glutes.
- As often as humanly possible: icing my quads and IT band. Probably extend to glutes where possible. No less than four ice packs involved in this effort - work and home.
- Drinking at least 64 oz and something like 80 oz of water every day.
- Grazing on high-quality carbs all day (okay, this isn't so bad.)
- Waking up at my race day wake up time to get the system *ahem* used to being up to speed at that time. (This has been less successful, as it basically means I have to go to bed by 9pm.)
Other preparation:
- I need a new album on my mp3 player. Been listening to mostly the same stuff since May (three new albums over that time) and I need something new!
- Decorating my race shirt. I want my name on my shirt (apparently crowds yell your name if you have your name on the shirt) but in a way that is not permanent (would like to use the race day shirt when I train after the race, but don't need to broadcast my name there!)
Thank you!
And the contributions keep coming in! A tremendous thank you to Ron M. for your contribution. The support from friends and colleagues has been truly humbling - you have all been incredible.
Onward!
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Go Erin!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle! And thanks for the contribution, too!
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