Three Weeks, Two Marathons, One Chronic Illness

We’re Havin’ A Heat Wave

I’ve put in the miles. I’ve trained hard and smart. I did three 20+ mile runs and I’ve hit my taper. Now, 10 days from the Pig, we’re having a heat wave. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great weather. Great, if you’re not running in it. Today, the high in Cincinnati was 81 degrees. Mo and I decided to skip running tonight, in favor of tomorrow morning. It’s going to be 57 in the morning. That will be much better.

There is absolutely nothing I can do about the weather. Still, I’m worried about it. If it’s this hot for the Pig, my goal of a 4:30 goes right out the window. My body does not like the heat. I can’t breathe, I over heat quickly, and I sweat out even more salt than I do now. I guess if it happens, I’ll just have to adjust my goal.

The good news is that it looks like there may be a cool front coming through early next week. Monday’s high is predicted at 55. That would be great. I’ll just rely on the spirits of Dad, Judy, and Timmy to take care of the stuff I can’t.

On the injury front, Mo seems to be healing up from the Plantar Fasciitis. She’s going to do a short run with me tomorrow morning. I’ll probably do five miles. Then I’ll do another five on Friday morning and eight on Saturday.

Wayne has asked me to tell the team what this whole experience means to me at our party on Sunday. I’ve got a couple of good ideas.

And, speaking of pressure…. The CF Foundation is working on a story about me. I’ve read it and it’s good. They are going to get it to all of the local newspapers and TV stations. CFF National Office is going to get it to Sports Illustrated, Runner’s World, Running Times, etc. I know that it shouldn’t, but it puts a lot of pressure on me. It brings up all the what ifs about the marathon. What if it’s too hot? What if I don’t finish? What if I break? Hell, what if I drop over. (OK, I’m not going to drop over, but…) It will be cool to get the exposure and show that CF’ers can do anything. I really do believe it, I can do anything I want.