The Dopey Palindrome Challenge, FW connection UPDATE 1-12-2015

[bama_ed]

This question is a little for this thread but....

Kris, I am considering driving from Birmingham through Atlanta and down to Disney next week. Based on your listed hometown, Douglasville, I wanted to ask you about traffic on the west side of Atlanta about 9am on a work day. Is rush hour morning traffic generally cleared by then? I am considering the I-20 to I-285 to I-75 route. Is taking Camp Creek Parkway a better option?

The Atlanta way is about 20 miles longer but all interstate and if I can avoid rush hour times it might be okay. The other option is for me to go down to Montgomery and take a 4-lane divided highway through some small towns and Dothan (although if I go that way I have an idea to bypass Dothan) but it has some stop lights.

The construction in east Alabama on I-20 is finished for the most part after years of work. I think now it's mostly out by the state line. Any general thoughts about I-20 to I-285 to I-75?

See ya'll down there soon!

Bama Ed

 

[garneska]

Bama Ed, yes i am right on the west side. For work i take I 20 straight in to downtown. At 9 am you are still going to have traffic. The good thing is you want to go south on 285. The merge from 20 to 285 basically sucks and going north is even worse. We personally would probably recommend going camp creek. you get off 20 at thorton road (exit 44) and go south. For you get off and turn right. That turns into Camp Creek and you can tak it around to 285 south. If you hit west side before 9 you definitely want to take camp creek route. Also if you have issues on 20 get off for camp creek. I know pulling a trailer (while yours is small) wont be an issue on camp creek, that is how we go to disney. Camp Creek is near my house to 285 to 75 to the turnpike. If you are later in the morning say after 9 you can probably go straight from 20 to 285.

I have driven to and from Oxford alabama, so the construction through there is basically done and fairly smooth sailing. On 75 there is only one section that is under construction around cordel, but you should be fine by then.

Hope that helps. FYI for us it takes 8.5 hours or to get from home to the Ft in one shot driving the RV.

 

[garneska]

I did two hours on machines today. I tried a new knee brace, I kind of liked it but I have not run. I won't until jan 10. My cold is better but the cough has gotten worse. Will be on the road on sat and at Disney on Sunday. Not sure what I will do that week, maybe bike around the fort or try and use the gym at WL.

See ya real soon

 

[bama_ed]

Was cold, gray, windy, and rainy yesterday (Friday). Today it's the same but a litte warmer so I'm going to get the last weekend run in (tapering to 3m) after the next band of showers passes through around lunchtime.

Weather is showing a low of 53F on Friday night/Saturday morning before the running of the Half. That's not bad unless it's windy. Since we wait around in the early morning hours in the Epcot parking lot and out in the starting corrals on Epcot Center Drive, a little wind can make it feel a lot colder.

Kris, you are probably on your way. John, you'll be there soon. Safe travels, all!

Bama Ed

 

[John VN]

Kris and BamaEd-do whatever feels right making sure not to over do it. I have decided to discontinue Palindrome training and just wait until the start of the 5K. At this point I see no reason to tempt fate and possibly injure myself. The 5K and 10K will be slow and easy. The half will be a bit faster and the full faster still if possible, always keeping in mind I will have the half, 10K and 5K to follow.

Began getting the motorhome ready and now have stairs that are not working plus possible issues with new tires. Not the way I wanted to start the new year.

Safe journeys to FW all.

 

[bama_ed]

John and Kris (or anyone else),

Since I am only running the one race (the Half on Saturday), what do you recommend for my Friday night meal? Does what I eat the night before make a difference? as opposed to like an hour before the race?

I've seen the references to carbs and pasta with lean proteins like chicken breasts. Oh, and stay away from fats since they take a long time to digest and might make you feel sluggish (would I be able to tell the difference?).

I like Kris' idea of starting to get up early in the morning this week (or work up to it) in her trip thread so race morning isn't that big of a shocker or change. Might start building toward a 3am wakeup and 330am departure time too.

Thanks, Bama Ed

 

[garneska]

Ed try and remember the things you ate when you had a good run. For me I am having grilled chicken on Friday and salmon (from artist point) on sat. I don't carbo load but I am planning cops cous and veggies with the chicken on Friday.

Yes I managed just after 6 this morning. For work I am usually up at 5:15 am but with the holidays I tend to get a break from that. Plan to be up at 6 again tomorrow.

I will update trip report but I am here in site 704. So far not too bad, trying to decide if I liked 716 better. I think 716 had a lot more shade it was on the inside loop of 700, 704 is outside backs to pet walk which is good, but had sun even with awning out.

 

[John VN]

Agree with Kris as far as eating before a race, eat what worked for training. The main thing for a half or full is to maintain good fueling and hydration during the event. A McFlurry at mile 15 does wonders. Carbo loading can cause sluggishness if done too late.

Four hours before a marathon or an Ironman I have some Greek yogurt with honey, cinnamon, raisins, blueberries, walnuts and almonds. Then 2 hours before the start a banana with peanut butter. I might also pop a gel at 15 minutes before the start.

Almost there.......

 

[garneska]

I was beat last night and struggled to get up this morning. Alarm went off at 6 but hit snooze, got up about 6:15. Decided I would just walk in the mornings before work. Nothing to crazy I don't want to be sore but something to get me moving, plus I will probably do a lot more walking on Sunday than originally planned.

Goal tomorrow is to get up at 5:30 and walk another 4 miles.

I am feeling a bit cruddy right now but I am sure it is taper madness and I am just tired. Am glad we are cooking at the site, crock pot is going. This way we can walk dogs and be in early.

Can't wait to see everyone.

 

[John VN]

DW and I really don't exchange gifts, haven't done so in many-many years, but she gave me one tonight and she wasn't even here when I recognized it
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YUP, the sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, eye pressure....
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41 years of marriage and she gives me just what I needed before the Palindrome
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Hello Balloon Ladies.

 

[garneska]

Get plenty of rest. I felt bad earlier but getting out and walking dogs made me feel better. Am still glad to be in bed early though. Fight the good fight with rest and chicken soup! Maybe DW will make you chicken soup as a second gift!

 

[John VN]

.............Maybe DW will make you chicken soup as a second gift!

In exchange for allowing me to goof-off(retire) while she finishes up working till August, I handle the household duties, i.e.-cooking, cleaning, washing, shopping. Will be having my vegetable soup at FW though.

Finish packing tomorrow and off to FW at 0500 Wednesday. Drive up to #4 around 0730, into the Outpost to check-in, off to Hess for a fill-up and then WWoS.

 

[John VN]

Took your advice, went to bed early around 10:30pm and couldn't fall asleep so off to the family room and was on the computer until 2:15, fell asleep and up at 3:50. , 1 hour and 35 minutes of sleep. I am feeling GREAT!!!! NOT

OH, started to load up the MH at 5:00 and the steps started working. GO FIGURE

 

[garneska]

Sorry to hear about the sleep. Just don't sleep on the drive in tomorrow.

Funny thing about the steps. We had mystery slide issues. We could not get them back in after last trip. Seem to be working fine now.

My DH does all the cooking but I clean up. When I am sick my mom still makes me chicken soup. She is the best.

Safe travels both of you.

 

[John VN]

Hi ALL,

Made it and in 932 feeling sick as a dog . Should meet up some time but will have to keep a good distance away.

32548 bib in corral B for 5K-10K and corral H for half-full. Had some KT tape put on and it feels kind strange. I'm going to bring my straps just in case.

So how's everybody else doing?

down in the dumps McFlurry John

 

[bama_ed]

John,

sorry to hear that about not feeling well. Good luck tomorrow on the 5-er.

I'm feeling good and about to update my trip report. I'm going to get in a short conditioning run tomorrow around the Fort at some point and then aim for Saturday morning.

Friday night now showing a low of 45F before Saturday's start. I'm debating long sleeve or short sleeve for the run. If it was windy I'd do long. Sunrise shows 720am and by that time I hope to be through MK at about mile 6. Better to be too cool than too hot so if in doubt I'll go short.

Go to sleep early tonight, take it easy tomorrow morning, and then rest my friend.

Bama Ed

 

[bama_ed]

John,

I am thinking about you and the rest of the Palindrome challenge. Please let us know how the events after the Marathon weekend went.

Bama ed