You think I ran today, or do you think I sat around and just watched the Superbowl?  Well, the game wasn’t until late afternoon, so I squeezed in a little run before hand.  I wanted to run a long one but I didn’t have that much time.  I spent most the day painting my dining room.  It would have been great weather though for a long run.  I woke up to 4 inches of fresh powder and the sun was out – up until I stepped out the door and it turned cold and cloudy.  I considered snowshoeing today but would have needed to start earlier.  The painting took longer than expected.

My big run is only two weeks away so no amount of extra training is going to help me prepare.  Well, that’s not entirely true.  I can’t get more fit aerobically in two weeks but I can properly maintain with a healthy diet and regular running.  I’ll try to do as many 8 milers as possible – if my work schedule allows.  And I’ll do weights to stay strong.  But eating healthy might be more important than any actual training at this point.  So I only had one beer at the super bowl party.  When I say “diet”, I’m usually referring to alcohol.  In fact the only other substance I’ve ever curtailed is caffeine.  I’m not likely to eat differently.  My breakfast typically consist of a toasted bagel with cream cheese, lox and capers.  Lunch is a sandwich of some sort.  Dinner is average Americana but more meaty than starchy and a few veggies.

I don’t expect the Austin Marathon to be special in terms of performance.  Matching my time from the Denver Marathon last fall would be nice but my expectations are for somewhere right around four hours give or take.  I’m mostly excited about hooking up with some of my high school cross country teammates.  At a minimum I’ll be meeting up with Nancy Wilson Basey.  She’s running the half and we plan to have lunch afterward.  And Bill Hay said he’d be at the finish with a cold one.  I’m hoping to maybe see some others the next night at Chuys.  I visit Austin at least once a year for Christmas but rarely visit my friends because so much time is focused on family.  For some reason I feel like catching up with people I haven’t seen in 30 years.  If I do, pictures will follow.