22 miles today. 10 day countdown

I would like to start this post by saying that I am the luckiest guy alive to be able to train here on the Big Island.  I saw about 15 smiling faces a number of times up in Waikoloa Village, before I turned down the hill, who were just happy to be exercising.  It really made my day when I told one lady I had seen about five times that I was "running 22 miles," when she said that she walked 4.  I saw another guy that was speed-walking and probably hit 5 miles, and a beautiful young lady with a baby stroller and baby.  It just fealt great to be a part of something that is healthy and makes me and so many others worldwide HAPPY!!  Thanks for making my day and great job out there making a conscious effort to stay healthy.

This morning I was underfueled.  I only ate a banana, endurance vitamin pack, one scoop of protein, and about 400 liquid calories.  Luckily, I carb-loaded pretty well last night and I fueled properly on the run itself.  I also took my ENBREL last night, which kind of made me feel fatigued , so my run was tough, but I still felt great at the end, with slight pains behind my knees, which is very similar to the pains that I had for a few weeks after the Kona Marathon, but nothing serious.
Not A.S. related, in my opinion.  Anti-inflammatories and ice are what I have used since the run this morning, which took me 3 hours by the way  :).  I am right on track for hitting my 3:30:00 mark in Portland.  Now its just some "speed work," rest, and nutrition tweaking.  Time to put coach Rick Rubio's training to the test!! http://www.konapersonaltrainer.com

Speaking of Portland, I have come up with a new slogan, which I will be having printed on a new blue sleeveless jersey, along with the SAA logo and Ooomph Sports Logo.  It will "ENDURANCE for Ankylosing Spondylitis" on the back, and "www.HelgiOlafson.org" on the front.  I just ordered 1000 awareness wristbands for HOF that are blue and have inscribed on them the same words.  These will be available for a $10 donation plus shipping.  I also have 5000 postcards that share my information and a few pictures.  Please let me know if I could send some of these to anyone who wants to help distribute these within their neighborhoods.

I am proposing that everyone who has an A.S. awareness bracelet wear it for a full week from Sunday, October 7th until Saturday, October 13th to celebrate A.S. and arthritis awareness.   On the 7th I will be competing in the 26.2 mile Portland Marathon.  World Arthritis Day(WAD) is on Friday, October 12th.  WAD is asking for pictures of people "Waving" to show their support for those with arthritis from all over the world.  Please be sure to have your awareness band on when you take the picture and send it to helgiolafson@gmail.com.  I would like to make an online collage of all of these pictures.  If you don't have an A.S. awareness band and you want one, I can send you one and you can wear it with me every time I race for A.S.  Finally, Saturday, October 13th represents the Ford Ironman World Championships and is a race for not only the elite professionals who are racing for the win, but also for those who are trying to make a personal accomplishment of being named an Ironman when they finish the 140.6 mile race in the lava fields of Big Island of Hawaii.  This is the ultimate test of human endurance, and the race will bring so many different walks of life with different illnesses and conditions way beyond detrimental, including arthritis.  This is a very important day for me and I will be helping out with the race as a volunteer in any way I possibly can, as well as having a few first introductions with my current sponsors.  NEXT YEAR I will be racing for the win and representing Ankylosing Spondylitis all the way to the bank.

Thanks for reading and don't forget to contact me about the wristbands, like the Helgi Olafson Foundation on Facebook, and show me some love on race day, Sunday, October 7th, 2012.  Send me a picture from wherever you are in the world, wearing your A.S. awareness band.  Make one out of paper or a piece of rubber if you have too, hehe.

Ok now I have to get back in the kitchen.  We have 60 person buyout at Waikoloa Grill 'n Bar this Friday and I have alot of prep to do, along with alot of organization.