Race Plan Take Two

Funny how things run full circle.  Today I started thinking about what my plans were for the race and all the preparations leading up to the big day so I could write a blog post about it.  As I was about to start this post, I thought I'd check out what was happening this time last year...I was curious to see what was I going through one year ago and what was going on in my little mind.  And you know what...I wrote my race plan last year on the exact same day.  Freeeakky!  Anyways, as I read through last year's plan, I thought damn...it was pretty good!  So a lot of it was cut and paste with a few tweaks...here goes:

Starting September 5th:
 - cut out alcohol completely
 - no junk food (goodbye chips and meat in a tube - we'll see you in a month)
 - cut out dairy
 - no refined sugar
 - eggs at most once a week
 - supplements daily
 - get at least 7 hours sleep a night
 - stretch/roller legs nightly
 - do exercises daily
 - 2L water daily

Pre-Race Preparation:
- 1 Nuun every day for one week leading up to the race
- Hydrate min 3L/day for one week leading up to the race
- Minimum 8 hours sleep for one week leading up to race, go to bed extra early Friday night before race (apparently, the sleep you get two nights before the race is most important)
- Cold F/X, echinacea, Vitamin C and oil of oregano every day for 10 days leading up to the race
- Last physio appointment scheduled for October 4th
- Book appointment for an immune booster one week before race

Nutrition:
- Gu gels, Espresso flavour (2x caffeine) - 1 Gu 15 mins before start, 1 Gu every 6K after
- Bring one pack of Gu Chomps (just in case I need a pick me up without needing to take a full gel)
- 1 Saltstick capsule at the beginning, 1 capsule halfway through (bring one extra)
- Get up in middle of night and eat small meal
- Banana and nutella before race

Hydration:
- Water at each aid station (approx. every 3K) - will not be wearing water belt

Pace:
- Walk through each aid station
- 6:30 min/km target - this pace should mean a 4 1/2 hour finish time

Gear:
- Lululemon Turbo running shorts
- Underarmour singlet
- iPod

Post-Run:
- go get a big hug from Hubs and maybe cry a little bit (OK, a lot)
- massage booked for three days after race
- stuff my face full of Thanksgiving dinner, at least two helpings of dessert and a celebratory alcoholic beverage
- head to Maui one week after race - HELLZ YEAH!