one month to the mini!

i've been experimenting with what i should (or shouldn't...really shouldn't) put in my body before a long run. so far, on the NO list:

oatmeal
steak dinner
anything heavy

i think the comination is as follows:
Clif bar about an hour before
Clif gel about 15 minutes before, and every 40ish minutes from there on out
recovery drink from Powerbar afterwards

who would have thought running could be so complicated. i tried Powerbar and Gu gels, which were both fine. but i was attracted to the fact that Clif is almost entirely natural. and i feel energetic all day, even after running 90 minutes.

Tues. saw my first running-related injury...don't know if it classifies as an injury. i went to the chiropractor and he adjusted my lower back. suddenly, my muscles locked and spasmed and i was in pain. pain so bad i cried on the way home and babied myself the rest of the day with ice and chick flicks.

my chiro explained that that joint, the SI joint, is taking a double hit, both from the impact of moving up and down as well as my hips moving back and forth. running is compounding this. especially the kind of running i've been doing lately.

i went back today and was relieved that no pain accompanied my adjustment. don't take your back for granted...

meanwhile, i'm enjoying the warmer weather and making tacos on Thursdays with my sister and running. running is becoming familiar, like a good friend.