Getting Ready....

Well, I am officially about 1 month out from the big day!  I have been trying to get things organized, which is almost as exhausting as the actual training :)  I have been reading about feet issues...blister prevention and treatment, recruiting pacers, honing down my nutrition plan, and organizing my packing lists.  This Saturday is the big 50 mile trial run, so I will get to test some things out.  I am very interested to see how the nutrition plan goes for 11 to 12 hours, as it has worked quite well for 4 ish hours.  Mom is making some chicken and rice soup that will be extra tasty around lap 3!
I am preparing a foot care kit, full of all the essentials!  This year I will be way more prepared, and hopefully I won't have to use the items.  So far, I have insulin syringes, alcohol, tincture of benzoin swabs, Kinesio Tex tape, scissors, antibiotic cream, and clippers in my box.  I have a few more items to add, and hopefully I will be set (mole skin, second skin, powder, BodyGlide).  I am hoping that my new nutrition plan will aid in the prevention of bad blisters this year...so we shall see!
John also had the idea of purchasing another Camelbak so that 2 could be in use at all times.  Kris will refill my pack while i am out on the course, and the hope is that this will save time and confusion when I come into the aid station between laps.  Each lap, I refill my water, carbopro, salt tabs, electrolyte tabs, food sources, ibuprofen.  By taking this step out, Kris can focus on things that need to be done while I am in the aid station (sunscreen, changing socks, fixing feet, wardrobe changes, re-lubing, iPod assessment, Garmin assessment, etc.).  I will take every minute I can get, because I only had about 16 minutes to spare last year!!!
I have also been working to get all my pacers lined up....I am almost there :)  Waiting on one last confirmation for Lap 5 and I am set.  Here is the line-up so far:
Lap 5: Kristen (and one more :)!)
KO paced me for Lap 5 last year and she is ready for another lap!  She is also pacing Steph's lap 8, so she will be busy.  She is running Tobacco Road marathon in mid March, so hopefully her little legs and feet hold out...and I know she has hours of entertainment in her....and she makes me suck it up!  So it will be perfect :)  Maybe we can plan that girl's trip while we are out on the trail, and then you can tell Steph all about it during Lap 8!
Lap 6: Kelli and Wayne
Kelli wasn't able to pace last year because she was wayyy pregnant (but Jamey filled in perfectly!), but she provided other support.  She will surely keep me entertained and promises not to touch me :)  and I bet she will bake something fun for Lap 6 snacking :)
Wayne is a superstar runner.  He is way faster than I could be on a good day, but his experience will be perfect...as Lap 6 was the start of a few downward sections last year.  Going to be a good lap.
Lap 7:Kris and Crystal
Kris and Crystal have the lap that was by far my toughest last year.  It was when I hit the literal wall...like no other wall I have hit before.  Crystal is tough, but not too tough and has been training with me some, so she is perfect for this spot!  She is pacing Steph's Lap 5 again this year, too!  Kris is  going to be the drill sergeant for the Lap....he likes to call it tough love, I have a different name.  He has recovered nicely from his surgery and is walking 8 to 10 miles briskly.  He can run a little, which should be plenty for this lap!  Crystal and I have threatened to leave him out on the trail if he can't keep up!  Here's to a fabulous Lap 7, with less pleas for napping!
Lap 8: Rob and Holly
Holly brought me in with the last lap last year and is back again this year!  She has been practicing her War Face.  She is also working mostly on her right arm strength so she can hold out that iPod for proper volume distribution!  Rob is joining us for Lap 8 this year...he is Mr. Positive which will be much needed for Lap 8.  Plus, he won't care if I give him the evil eye :)  And he definitely isn't afraid to yell and be stern.  Rob missed last year's event but has lots of good suck it up experience (several Ironman races and marathons)....so between his experience and Holly's pacing experience, Lap 8 should be great! (of course, great is relative!).

Foot Book that I have been studying :)

Holly (Lap 8), Kelli (Lap 6), and Kris (Lap 7) out at Umstead working on pacing strategies.  (Photo courtesy of Crystal!)

Frosty 50k Start...Kara, KO (Lap 5), Crystal (Lap 7), Val, and Steph

Kris after his last marathon...and holding the Brasso Cup!  Which made me think, of an idea :)

Rob (Lap 8)

Wayne (Lap 7) (Photo courtesy of his Facebook page :)!)

And of course, 

Ella practicing her perfect handstand :)  Check out those toes and that head placement!

And, Ella the Scientist...I think she is going to be a little nerdy like her momma!

Just a few things left to do, and a good month of running left!  Getting close...and nervous :)