<p>Big, no - BIG congrats to Wild Child and to his support crew, too! What an accomplishment, especially in Kona. If you’ve ever been to the Big Island and seen the lava fields where the biking/running takes place, you know what I’m talking about. The heat is unbearable! </p>
<p>I’m also very glad that he has a year to recover and chisel out racing strategies for his next race. As far as nutrition during races goes, I think the need to add other nutrients after or in addition to the 6-8-hour fueling on simple carbs alone that idad is talking about makes sense. Personally, I could not have stomached another gel on top of the two I ate during my last marathon. I was happy to sink my teeth into a steak salad for lunch, which made Mr B concerned that I would puke. My body was telling me, “Psst, get some fat and protein!” </p>
<p>Yeah. He’s been working with the Red Sox for two years now. Part time because he owns and runs three gyms and is the strength coach of the uS women’s hockey team and still works with the BU men’s hockey team. He spends spring training in Florida with the team and then works with them when they are at home in Boston during the season. Does not travel with the team.</p>
<p>He’s written that it’s a different kind of challenge training professional athletes making millions of dollars a year. They don’t have to do anything you tell them to; they can just ignore you. So it’s a challenge to figure out how to give them programs they want to do. Also, the physical grind of the 162 game season with the constant travel is the killer for them.</p>
<p>We’re doing OK. The kid went out on his bike to look for his Oakleys that he threw in the bush- don’t remember if I reported that to y’all or not. He wanted to be sprayed and the glasses were getting too splattered. I ran 4 1/2 miles, H ran 3.2 and Coach seems to be a little hungover… Going to take it easy today- roam around a little and set up some plans for tomorrow- a beach day and/or maybe a boat ride.</p>
<p>^^ I know, really. He did not find the Oakleys. He said he must have been pretty out of it because usually he knows exactly where he tosses stuff. I suspect someone found them first… Glad he has unlimited resources (not). He also managed to book his flights stupidly- combined two airlines. That’s all great, except it means he has to not only pay for the bike TWICE (once for each airline since they won’t combine the ticketing), he has to collect it at baggage in San Francisco and recheck it at US Air in a different terminal. (Penn didn’t teach him these things…)</p>
<p>MOWC, huge congratulations to wild child. That whole experience sounds amazing. What a great family you have!</p>
<p>Today I ran my half marathon! My brother ran it with me (well, not actually with me, as he is several powers of 10 faster than I am), but it was really fun. I did it run/walk, with 5 minutes of run to 1 minute of walk. It worked out great until the last 2 miles when for some reason my feet started cramping up really badly. I had to stop numerous times to stretch, so that messed with my time a bit, but overall, I am very happy with my time. I’m already planning the next one.</p>
<p>Out on the boat today – a mix of US and British Virgin Islands, and a mix of snorkeling and bar visits. I’m not a real drinker, but tried a drink called the Painkilker and one called the Bushwacker. Wore a long sleeve SPF 50 shirt so protected from the sun. 5:40 pm here and we are all ready to collapse. I’m hoping the swimming and snorkeling counts as a workout.</p>
<p>I am a little giddy though - my friend said they picked me up a little something at the marathon expo - I’m so curious what it is!! Besides you all, she is my running cheerleader!!!:)</p>
That’s an expensive casualty although I’m sure much of his equipment would be expensive casualties!</p>
You did it!</p>