This is it--1 day, 23 hours, 42 minutes until the Chicago Marathon. Overall I feel pretty good, well-rested and loose. I've got my massage scheduled for Saturday afternoon, I've got the house stocked with plenty of good food and I'm drinking plenty of water. In about an hour I'll head down to McCormick Place to pick up my race packet.
I'm a little concerned with the weather. According to weather.com we're looking at a high of 86 degrees on Sunday, with the temperature at the start of the race a balmy 65 degrees. For running 26.2 miles that's too damn hot. Hot enough that the marathon organizers sent out this weather advisory with a list of guidelines for running in hot weather. It's positively chock-full of useful advice like this:
If at ANY time your body gives you signals to slow down or stop, abide by them. Be aware of your heart rate, body temperature and hydration. If you feel light-headed, dizzy or overheated or experience chest pain, visual disturbances, cramping, vomiting or headache, slow down or stop and consult the medical personnel on the course immediately.
Oh boy.
For those of you with a voyeuristic streak the marathon offers something called "runner tracking." This allows you to monitor a runner at designated points along the way by having it sent via email or text to your mobile phone. The service sends updates at 15k, halfway, 35k and the finish line. So, if you'd like to follow my progress as you sit at the cafe enjoying another Mimosa, or a second helping of biscuits and gravy, just email me and I'll send you the info. Unfortunately the system isn't interactive, so I won't be able to tell you which of the above symptoms I've experienced along the way until after the race.
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On to today's Random Ten. Here's what it sounds like, if you're not familiar with the tracks:
Obscure electric delta blues, surf music, R&B from the "Sun" label in the early 50's, post-Sun 50's Elvis, 1940's folk music, 80's new wave/dance, Jack White's ego & Loretta Lynn's voice, old French lady, 70's POP MUSIC, 70's punk. There you have it.
Crawdad Hole—Jessie Mae Hemphill
Pipeline—Dick Dale
You Better Dig It—Bill Johnson
Playing For Keeps—Elvis Presley
Dead or Alive—Woodie Guthrie
Heart of Glass—Blondie
Have Mercy—Loretta Lynn
Fais Moi Valser—Edith Piaf
Take A Chance On Me—ABBA
Something's Gone Wrong Again—The Buzzcocks
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