So I got some sort of stomach bug late last week...I have actually lost 5-6 lbs since Wednesday. I'm feeling better, but food overall still isn't all that appealing. I have a half this Sunday, I am hoping to finally make it under the 2 hour window (I have missed it by 30 seconds my last two halves)...any advise on getting back into gear? I have only ran once since last Tuesday. I ran a 5k with my 7 year old on Saturday, I felt ok, but then I was running slower...I"m just worried this stupid stomach bug may have wrecked my chances at a sub 2 half

By this time in the training cycle, the endurance building is over and you're now your tapering. The goal during the taper is to reduce volume and maintain intensity. I'd posit that is intended to keep the neuromuscular system in tune so that everything in the kinetic chain is firing correctly and, second, to not lose muscle mass.

With that thought in mind, my strategy would be to ensure my recovery from sickness by doing a limited amount of high intensity running.

Insofar as food not being that appealing - congratulations. I had my "Aha" moment after I'd lost most of my weight — "Food is fuel for my body." Keep that in mind and there's no problems with weight control, right? For the race, though, you should get your carb percentage up.

Fitzgerald's book on nutrition is an excellent source. I read it early this year and did the three day carb load for a Half in February. It was easy to follow and I have no reason to think it didn't help.