BOSTON (AP)
— All systems are go for astronaut marathoner Suni Williams. Williams,
who qualified for the Boston Marathon before learning she would be at the
international space station on race day, was cleared for a 26.2-mile simulated
run at 10 a.m. EDT on Monday—just when the real event will be leaving
Hopkinton down on Earth.
That would
allow the U.S. Navy Commander to run at the same time as her sister, Dina
Pandya, fellow astronaut Karen Nyberg and about 24,000 others who are expected
to face heavy rain and head winds on their way to Boston's Back Bay.
Williams
will run the equivalent distance at the space station, in low orbit about 210
miles above Earth, while tethered to a treadmill by bungee cords so she doesn't
float away.
''I was
joking around, saying it would be a nice relief if it broke and I could get off
it,'' Williams told The Associated Press on Friday in an interview. ''But
marathons are hard on the body. It's hard on the machine. I hope both of us
survive.
''Just
joking on that,'' she added. ''I think both of us will survive.''
The
treadmill, which is specially balanced to avoid vibrations that could disrupt
the space station, has had its share of mechanical problems. Williams and crew
mate Michael Lopez-Alegria performed extensive maintenance on it about six
weeks ago.
''I think
both of us are as ready as we're going to be,'' Williams said of the treadmill.
Williams
qualified for the Boston race by finishing last January's Houston Marathon in 3
hours, 29 minutes, 57 seconds. But she left on the shuttle Discovery on Dec. 9
and has spent the past five months in space.
Because of
the demands of Williams' sleep and work schedule, NASA had considered having
her run on Sunday evening. But spokeswoman Eldora Valentine confirmed on Friday
that Williams will be able to run at the same time as the main event.
While
marathoners usually taper their training to prepare for the race, Williams has
to worry about the effects of zero gravity on bone and muscle density. She
planned to run three miles each day until the race.
But she'll
stick to the traditional when it comes to the pre-race meal.
''I'm going
to eat some pasta. We have lasagna and ravioli. I think I might have both of
those the day before,'' she said. ''My mom is having a big pasta party in
Massachusetts, so I just wish I could be there for it.''
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