Pandora's Box

Now that I'm cutting back on training, it seems like the number of things I have to do to get ready for the race is multiplying. Every time I look at a list I think of more things I need. It's like opening Pandora's Box. Kind of like when you shop at those big box stores and you go in for one thing and come out with a shopping cart full.

That's one of many reasons I don't like big box stores.

Today I avoided shopping. I spent more time in the sauna today than I did running. I did two sessions, for a total of 1 hour and 22 minutes. I walked the girls, went for an easy 5 mile run, did a short bike ride, and spent some time cleaning the coolers and organizing supplies. Then I sat out in the sun in the back yard and tried to sleep. I didn't fall asleep but it was nice to soak up some rays and do nothing for a while. It was probably about 90 degrees but that doesn't feel hot anymore. That's good, because it's 121 in Death Valley according to the newspaper.

My packages from Zombie Runner and Magellans arrived in the mail today. I ordered a lightweight more breathable shirt to wear in the sun, in case the Sun Precautions shirt gets too hot. I got more electrolyte capsules, some socks, LED reflective bands and a few other things I can't get locally. Most of the supplies I need to buy now are just normal stuff that I can buy on a trip to the grocery store, like ziploc bags, plastic containers, etc. And I need to make one more trip to Runner's Roost for shoes and a few other running supplies.

There is so much STUFF. The extra bedroom upstairs has become my dumping ground for all my supplies. And my closet- the pile of used running shoes is enormous. Imelda Marcos would be proud of me. I use the old, worn out shoes in the sauna because after a month or so, they are trashed from the heat. Not to mention how bad they smell.


I'm going to pick Ken up on the 11th and we will drive out from Glenwood Springs to Death Valley, with a supply stop in Las Vegas. Steph was able to get an extra night at Furnace Creek for us. I plan on arriving there and "chilling out" in the heat for an extra whole day.

I work the next two days and I have just Sunday off, and then my work schedule is really crazy next week. I have to be in there nearly every day because of a class and a meeting. It's "the crunch", when you try to arrange your schedule with a long stretch of days off, you end up with a whole bunch of work days stuck together. I had just today and yesterday (Wednesday) off this week, after having 4 in a row off last weekend.

Wednesday I went to Home Depot first thing in the morning before I went to my morning sauna session. They had everything on my list. Bug sprayer, tarps, rope, wire cutters, bucket, sponge, magnetic key holders.

Then I went to Sports Authority: got another cooler on sale, and a battery operated lantern with LEDs for the crew at night.

I need to take the backseats out of my RAV 4 to make room for equipment. My vehicle will be the backup crew vehicle, so I need room. I looked at the owner's manual to see if I could figure it out myself, but I couldn't get past the first step.

I don't have the patience to mess with mechanical things. I get really annoyed with manufacturers (of anything) who make owners manuals non-user friendly. You'd think they could hire some competent technical writers.

And don't even get me started about making things impossible for a person my size without superhuman hand strength to do. And making tools that I can't grip in my small hands. Those are entire whole blog rants in themselves, up there with socially challenged cell phone users.

I'm going to take it in somewhere to see if they won't overcharge me just to take the seats out. Dennis doesn't have time and he broke his finger a few weeks ago, so he can't do it.

It seemed like I spent the day shopping. I hate to shop, especially at big chain stores. Even for fun things, I don't have a lot of patience. I like to go into a store for something, find it as fast as possible, get through the checkout and leave. If I can't find what I'm looking for and I have to go looking very long for anyone working there who is available to help me, I leave. That's another reason I don't like big box stores.

Finally after a day of shopping at Home Depot, Sports Authority, trying to figure out the seats, emailing Steph about the reservations, two sauna sessions totaling an hour and 20 minutes, a bike ride, walking the Buffaloes, a trip to Whole Foods to pick up some things for dinner (I like to cook new things on my days off when I'm not training)...

I decided it has been too long since I've had a beer so I bought one at the neighborhood liquor store and drank an almost frozen Corona with a ton of lime squeezed into it and sat in the back yard with the girls, threw the snake or the duck every so often and read my DV crewing book. I would prefer a Ruination IPA but that will have to be A.B. Half of one would knock me on my butt right now and I can't afford any bruises. I'm tapering.

And one more important thing I did Wednesday. Last week I got an unexpected package, the BAR shoes arrived in the mail. The company that created these shoes tested them at Badwater last year and they are sending every Badwater entrant a pair of shoes. They are bright red and really cool-looking. They are soft and comfortable and wide in the toe box.

I tested the BAR shoes Wednesday morning when I took the girls for their walk... NO. I love the shoes, the way they feel and fit on my feet, but they are way too soft and flexible and I am used to shoes that are like bricks. I need major motion control. After just 1/2 mile in the BAR shoes my left knee was killing me, I could feel my whole leg twist slightly with every step. I had to go home and change shoes before we could finish our walk. The girls were not happy but...


Mom is tapering.