Tapering, Milestones and News

As I reflect on this last week I am happy to say I am now down 2 lbs from when I started this blog!  I will remain persistent and continue to move beyond any setbacks!   Hard work does pay off both in diet and exercise!  I was saddened by the news that has hit the health/fitness world of Jack LaLanne passing away at 96.  At the same time I am inspired not only by his enthusiasm for life and fitness but the ferocity by which he helped to spread the word and inspire others to follow his path.  It is key to believe in what you practice and to help others along that path.  

This week’s training consisted of:

Tues – No Gym

Wed - Weights and Abs

Thurs – Run on treadmill 30 mins (sprints) and elliptical 10 mins.

Fri. No Gym

Sat. 22 mile run in 4 hrs 10 mins.

Sun. No gym (helped brother install wood flooring)

This is not a typical week for me but it was the last long run of my upcoming marathon training.  I hardly ever have 3 days of no gym time but I have been fighting off a cold (this usually happens 1 week out from my main race but came early this time) and I new this last long run was KEY to my being able to successfully complete the upcoming marathon so I listened to my body a little more than I normally would have.  I would at this rate be set to hit a PR my 1^st marathon took me 5hrs 10 mins except for the fact that this training run was not very hilly (only 1 of 2 flat runs in my training plan) and the marathon itself has hills.  I will be prepared and complete it just probably not much faster than my 1^st.  The good news is this time around the marathon training hasn’t taken the same toll on my body that the 1^st one did.  I recover a lot faster from my long runs and feel good throughout the actual run.  I remember my 1^st training stint included 2 knee braces, advil before during and after each long run and lots of ice just to SURVIVE.  I am going to do a 30 minute run today at the gym and some ab work.  The last 5 miles of this run were hard and I had to start walking a little at each mile marker and the last 2 miles I battled mentally but succeeded by pushing through even though it meant I walked a little more than I would have liked. 

I needed more calories so on race day I will pack extra Shot Bloks by Clif (my favorite).  It was a great day to be on the trail because we are lucky to be hosting the indoor international track meet here this year and there were a lot of world class runners training out there.  It made me feel even slower than normal in comparison but what a great inspiration!

Today I am feeling a little tired and run down, still fighting off a cold, but I remember I use to after a long run fall asleep on my couch for roughly 5 hours usually with a half eaten burrito barley clinging on to the plate I had on my lap when I fell asleep.  This time I was able to continue with my day!  I have a 10 mile and 8 mile hill run left the next two weekends then it’s race day!!!  I’m excited yet nervous about the hills…. Let the tapering commence!