Marathon Mom

Here I am 9 days from marathon #28 and at it again, full out taper madness. As I sat down this morning to drink coffee I was just not feeling happy, something was wrong but I couldn't figure it out. I'm starting a 3 day weekend full of fun with family and friends, I have time to relax, I'm getting a much needed hair cut and color...so why the negative feelings? Then it hit me...TAPER! Seriously I've been through it too many times to mess with me like this but without fail here it is. At least I have an explanation, but still I'm not happy with this. One would have thought going in to a race with minimal goals would mean less pressure but I guess not. I have every reason to doubt my training since it consisted of little to no speed work, less miles than I normally do and focus on gaining endurance back while working long hours. Last week I ran a 5K, in the evening, that I wasn't feeling great about and came away with a 2nd place AG finish! And a time of 20:26...

Week 1 of taper is done and I survived! Anyone else close to a race?  Every time I think things will settle down I am quickly proven wrong! Between O’s school and activities, my work and now being sick I need a break! Monday: O’s first night of dance this year and 1 hour walk for me (feeling sick) Tuesday: 8 mile run Wednesday: T25 Upper Thursday: 5K Race (more later) and core Friday: 16 miles (this was rough!) Saturday: 4 mile run while coaching and Beast Back Sunday: 1 hour family bike after work and Beast Chest O did a cheerleading camp this weekend and had a blast…Next week they perform at the game. This week is another busy week but I think we are settling into a routine finally. I have some big things this week (sorry to be vague) but please think of me and send some good thoughts. Less than 2 weeks until marathon 28. Let the weather stalking begin! Monday: Core and 8 mile run Tuesday: 6 mile run and Beast Arms Wednesday: Beast Shoulders ...

It's that time again...I made to yet another taper! This past week was my highest mileage week in probably a year at 48.8 miles (this used to be a low week!). The best part was that it felt great. 22 miles done on Sunday in 3:19. I've learned to hold back on my long runs, finally! It was 50s and perfect but time to get out the gloves. Raynauds sucks! On the advice of a friend I tried an Epsom salt bath Sunday for the first time and I'm not fully convinced but soaking was relaxing. My legs do feel great today so who knows. Who recovers with Epsom Salt? What do you think? Matt and I had a belated birthday date night to see Counting Crows. Fun way to kick off taper, right? We had an early dinner and headed to the show only to find out it was cancelled just a few minutes before they opened the doors. So instead we headed home and relaxed on the couch with a glass of wine and listened to Counting Crows.

How did it get to be September already (and the 7th even!)? We ended August with some fun and a first for O...After a week of a loose tooth that she discovered on my birthday it finally came out after a trip to the apple orchard. My training has been decent despite the crazy long work hours but I have decided that a fall marathon will not be in the future next year! This year my plan is just gaining my endurance back but when I want to race I can't fully train through the long work days of summer. I am running 3-4 days a week but lack energy to do any speedwork. My strength work is lacking, down to just 3 days a week. September started with kindergarten open house. After a long debate on the best school fit for O and us as a family we went with the option that we had initially said no way too. In the end it will be the best fit considering the anxiety O has about new situations and changes. With this she has many familiar faces joining her and even two friends in her class. ...