what's your ritual
Topic: On the way to Triathlon
Before a new race, or an important race, I usually find myself in a day or two of peparations.

It starts about a week out as I attempt to stop working out. Umm, trainer Bob with weights on Monday, an 18-mile run Sunday, and my swim today excluded. Heh heh heh, I have a problem...

Then there's the expo/picking up of the packet, which I did on Friday for this race..

Then there's the drop-by Pearce Institute for a massage, about 4 or more days out, to fix my IT band and other potential issues.

Then there is the purchasing of GU, Yogurt/bananas, and anything else I may need...

Then there's carbo loading... I try to start it a few days out... Eat large amounts of salad and fruit, and also have tons of pasta, some lean meat, and lots of various juices and beverages. I keep forcing myself to eat more, telling myself to eat like a mad woman, to eat like it's my last meal, to eat like it's my first meal in 3 days, to eat like this is the most delicious food I've ever had.

Then there's the time before I go to sleep before the race, when everything is finally ready. And I am thinking, I'll probaby watch some Ironman footage and read some "runner for charity" stories, to inspire me.

So I dedicate this Marathon... to Ben for his support, to my family for their support, to all the friends and coworkers who get me through it with little things, and of course to my many trainers, Fitz, Mike, Kevin, and Bob. To the race director of Mardi Gras Marathon that is still planning on holding the race next year, and I'll try to be there. To the 39,999 other runners in the race, including Olympic medalists, debutants like me, and veterans alike, you all accomplish more then an average person I know by the time everyone else even wakes up. To you, who said I can and I will. And to the City of Chicago, the most beautiful city in the whole world. Hip Hip Hoora. I'm going to get out there tomorrow and do it, dog gone it. all 26.2 miles.