Preparation!

I've taken it pretty easy this week in preparation for tomorrow's run--14 miles-- which will be the longest run I've ever done. I had a fun, social running week. A tough speed workout with Tim on Monday, the Chicago Team run out of the Big Peach on Wednesday and a nice four miler with Katie, my Phoenix mentor, yesterday around Atlanta Memorial Park, which has to be one of the flatest loops in all of Atlanta. Thank you, Katie!

Preparing for a long run means no drinking or staying out late on Friday nights (sorry, Christy and Colin--you know how much I love my margaritas at El Azteca, especially since it's within walking distance on my place), downing lots of water, going to bed early (of course, since I usually don't get in bed until after 2am, "late" is generally anything before 1am!) and carbo-loading. Which, of course, means Figo! Tim and I hit the original Collier Road location last week, and this week, I got take out from the Howell Mill restaurant. Fusilli with arrabbiatta, which is my absolute favoite sauce. And tiarmisu, just because if you're going to spend nearly three hours running the next day, it's nice to indulge in a yummy dessert.

I picked out a great present for Kate at Swoozie's, which has been kind enough to employ me on more than one occasion when I've needed the extra cash. Kate officially turned six today, but we'll be celebrating with a big party tomorrow after our run. I can't wait! And a definite reminder of why I'll be running those fourteen miles tomorrow. Nothing I go through as a runner can compare to spending your kindergarten year in and out of the hospital, getting chemo treatments, losing your hair and become all too familiar with needles and blood. And her fighting spirit is what gets me through days like tomorrow and the reason I continue to pile on the miles in the hopes of finding a cure.