Felt a little stiff today

I went out this morning for a really short run just to stretch the legs after yesterday. Just did 3 miles. I felt a bit better after that.

I'm not feeling as bad in my head today. Sure, I didn't think I did very well yesterday. But I did (sort of) 22 miles. That's past what everybody says is "the bad part" of the marathon. And after 22 miles, the White Rock is pretty much downhill. Literally. The topography slopes generally down. So that will make it easier, too. All I really have to do is keep my head at the start, take enough time through the water stops, and have enough Gu. Oh, and remember to shave so my band-aids stick. Yesterday after just 9.6 miles I was back at my car for a water stop, and happened to notice the front of my shirt. Blood. I mentioned the other day that I'd experienced chafing. Yesterday the band-aids came off after about 6 miles. It got pretty bad. I had several people actually ask if I knew I was bleeding. I was sorta embarrassed. (Too bad I wore that white shirt....) Fortunately in my running bag I had some Hydropel, which is about the consistency of petroleum jelly. I stuck the tube in my pocket and reapplied every few miles. That helped.

I think I'm going to set an appointment with a chiropractor who's been recommended. And I think I'm going to get another new pair of shoes. Hopefully I can do something before December 9 to help out my hip. Because I think that's another problem. When the hip hurts I believe I tend, understandably, to run a little lop-sided, which makes my opposite knee hurt. And it's sort of a domino effect. I don't know if that's what happened in Southeast Asia, but it happens in my body.

(Leadbelly singing Bourgeois Blues on Pandora. Love it.)

This is supposed to be a short week. So this Saturday I'll probably just do 15 miles. Probably just about 20 during the week. Then next weekend I'll do another 15 or so. Maybe even less. Like 12. I'll think about it. Because that is just a week and a day before the marathon. It really sneaks up on you. It used to be so far away. Now it's not anymore. Pretty deep thinking, I know.... (Mississippi John Hurt. I just picked the "Early Blues" genre station that was pre-programmed. Turns out it's great. There's a lot of good music out there.)

Anyway, it's getting late again. I didn't sleep very well at all last night. Even worse than usual. That makes me think, I have been sleeping better these last few weeks, once I finally get to bed. Sometimes it's a little late, but once I've gotten there I've generally slept reasonably well. Last night, back to not so hot. Who knows why...

Later....