Plan for Hawaii and Beyond

 

Plan for Hawaii and Beyond

2 weeks from today, I catch the flight and the race is 3 days later.  I’m not doing anything too radical between now and then unless I have to do so.  The taper is approaching.  A marginal gain in fitness that can be achieved from increased training is not worth the risk of injury.  As I’ve said many times, I just want to finish comfortably ahead of the time limit and be done with it.  I expect to do better but I don’t really care if it’s over 3 hours.  That said, I do want just one 13-mile walk/jog session just to prove that I can do it.  That will be done on Saturday.  I’ll keep most of my daily workouts in the 2-3 mile range but was encouraged by yesterday’s 4-miler.  I’ll go up to 5 one day next week but no further.

Blood Donation:

The plan was to get it done in September but given the issues with the doctor and the lab tests, I didn’t get around to it.  It’s too late now.  I can’t predict what will happen but a temporary intolerance to the adrenal supplements is a possibility.  A SNAFU could still happen, but I need to reduce the risk.  I will get it done after the race. 

Sugar/Caffeine Consumption:

I’ve flip-flopped on this.  I will NOT quit cold turkey before the race because a Candida die off could occur.  That is NOT pleasant.  I won’t binge.  No more than one can per day and some days will be clean but once again, the risk of a bad reaction due to a radical change is too high. 

Cocktail of Pills:

There is a flicker of hope that I have found a winning formula with the Cytokine, Adrenal support, Probiotics and Taurine.  I will take the detox and methylation support only occasionally.   I’ve had no trouble with missed doses of that stuff and I’m not even sure that I need it anymore.  Yes, I'll make sure to take a couple doses in the days leading up to race day just in case I am wrong.  After the race, I will reduce the Cytokines and increase the Probiotics.  I will also TRY to drink nothing but water.  If a die off reaction occurs after the race, it will be ugly but it won’t matter. 

Rheumatologist:

The doctor did refer me, but I have yet to hear from them.    Who knows how long it will take?  Will they ever call me?  It is my hope that I can fix this without it.  Word on the street is that the drugs prescribed have AWFUL side effects that are often worse than the disease itself.  A friend of a friend said that it can also mess up your teeth.  I REALLY don’t want that to happen to me.  You should see the comments that I get on my smile.  Several people say that I could be a model for toothpaste companies and my favorite comment is that my teeth are so bright that you need sunglasses.  My weight and blood pressure are both heading in the right direction.  I expect that steady running will be enough to get those numbers where I want to see them. 

Future as a Runner:

Recent improvements have given me a flicker of hope that I can continue.  Nevertheless, I plan to stick with the idea of 6 weeks off after the race.  Now is as good of a time as any with the cold and darkness in December.  After Christmas, everything will be reset, and I will start back again gradually.  How far can I go?  That remains to be seen.  I will not run another half marathon unless I can break 2 hours.  If that never happens again, I can live with it.  I do like my chances of coming back as a 5K and 10K specialist.  If I can run 4 miles @ 9:06 pace with plenty left in the tank, I can go sub-60 for 10K (6.2@9:40) especially with more steady training.  That’s respectable for a non-competitive over-40 runner.  Most big-time races also have a 5K or 10K fun run as a companion to the full and half mary.  Is it worth a road trip for just a 5K?  Probably not, but I’m sure that I can find other stuff to do in the target city or on the way. 

Cities to Target:

Miami, Florida- January race then swim in the ocean.  Can’t go wrong there.

Tampa, Florida- I think there is one here in March, which is the best chance to catch waves.

Charleston, South Carolina- Cooper Bridge Run.  It’s a large 10K in early April.  Kinda wish it was in the Fall but I can still swim here.  I may need a wetsuit.    

Savannah, Georgia- Another Bridge run.  This one is in December.  Again, I need a wetsuit to swim but I can still do it. 

Biloxi, Mississippi- If I’m not in shape for a half, they do have a 5K.  I can enjoy a night on the town in Mobile or New Orleans or possibly swim at Dauphin Island.  It’s in December so again, I probably need a wetsuit.  November would likely be warm enough.

Fort Worth, Texas- I certainly don’t regret my choice to race in Austin but it wasn’t an authentic Texas experience as the culture is much different from the rest of the state.  The Cowtown weekend offers a 5K, 10K, half and full.  I’m sure that I can find worthwhile stuff to do in Dallas even though I was just there last year. 

Little Rock, Arkansas- My Arkansas race choice was a low-key event on a bike trail because I wanted a fast time.  Little Rock is an underrated city that is a manageable drive away from home.  They offer a 5K and a 10K in addition to a half and full.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania- I’ll only race here if it’s a half.  I’ve done a good 10K here already.  My half choice for PA was one of my worst.  It was also on a bike trail that did not showcase the city and I was in really bad shape that day. 

Louisville, Kentucky- I wanted to do the Kentucky Derby race but opted for Lexington because of a family commitment.  I’ve got other options for Louisville, and I believe they have companion events at shorter distances.  It’s a pretty easy drive and there are bourbon distilleries to tour nearby. 

Mobile, Alabama- I’ve already done the Azalea Trail 10K but I’d like to do a half here as well.  There is another race in early November that is basically the same course as Azalea without the crowd and it will probably be warm enough to swim.   

Coos Bay, Oregon- There is a 4 Mile trail race here on Labor Day weekend.  This is the hometown of Steve Prefontaine.  Pretty cool to race in his footsteps.

San Diego, California- I want to go back because I didn’t do it justice.  America’s Finest City is a good race in mid-August that can easily be combined with a beach trip.  It is a half marathon and 5K.

Washington, DC- It's not a state so it was not required to run a half.  I downgraded from the half to the 5 Mile because of health concerns but if I'm in shape, I will come back for a half.  Plenty to do here.