Focus on ANYTHING but this + Marathon Training This Week!

17 miles done and done.  22 next week and then we are entering taper territory.

My morning started off with Beretta (you are welcome for such a high quality photo;) and she is doing really well now staying right next to me during the run.  It took a little work but she is a great running partner for me… EXCEPT for when a cat ran across the street yesterday.  Beretta went full steam towards the cat.

Another really great photo for you but this is a large hill.  You climb up about 180 feet to get from the bottom to the top so I went up and down it 3 times starting at about mile 7 to replicate that part of the St. George course.  The rest of the run was pretty flat but I’m glad I got in some hill practice.

Lately during hills I’ve really focused on paying attention to everything around me but the hill as I’m climbing.  The trees, the lyrics to a song, the weather, the cars… anything.  This way I’m not thinking so much about the burning and keeping my brain elsewhere.  I like to focus on the running when going fast but when going up, I just need to focus on anything but going up;)

Look who joined me for the last five miles of my run.  I only stopped once during the run (when dropping off Beretta to get her back inside).  Andrew was waiting for me outside to get there to start together.  I want my body to get used to running non-stop for the race so I need to practice it on the long run too.  The girls did great and it was so fun to have them there and talk to them and Andrew during the final miles.

My long run didn’t include a workout (like the previous weeks) so I really just had to split it up mentally—>  Beretta (7 miles), podcast/alone (5 miles), family (5 miles) and that worked out well.

My coaches instructions were to take it easy and to be able to talk during the entire run which is what I did (during the three big uphills I was breathing heavier).

7:45 average felt really comfortable and I wouldn’t hate if marathon race pace was a minute per mile faster than this;)

The world’s fastest shower + grabbed some food to eat in the car and then Brooke and I went to go and cheer on CANDICE during her marathon.  She did absolutely amazing and BQed by 9 minutes!

The best way to get really excited (and nervous when you are at mile 19 and then mile 22 of a marathon;) to do your race is to spectate another one right before.

It even put Brooke in the running mood.

Knox had a soccer game and we went to go cheer him on (he is not with us this weekend… that’s why he didn’t join the bike trailer fun;)!

And then my mom showed up to our house with donuts.  She’s a good one.  That apple fritter was everything.

Followed by a soccer game for Brooke.  She really went after it yesterday at her game.

We hung out at my sister’s house for a bit.

Sometimes Skye has a fascination with my nose when I feed her a bottle.

A nap didn’t happen but an early bed time did.  We had Cafe Rio take-out and watched the BYU football game and I fell asleep 2.3 seconds after climbing into bed.  It was marvelous.

——————————————————————————-

27 days until the marathon!  Here is what training looked like last week and bring on the peak week this week!

Monday:  6 miles @ 8:51 average

Tuesday:  8 miles @ 8:45 average

Wednesday:  13.1 miles @ 7:07 average.  2 mile w/u (8:27 average), 3 x 3 miles with 3 minute jogging breaks ((6:47, 6:59, 6:45)(6:43, 6:40, 6:37)(6:32, 6:31, 6:24)), 1 mile c/d.

Thursday:  7.25 miles @ 9:05

Friday:  8 miles @ 8:17 pace

Saturday:  17 miles @ 7:44 average.

Sunday: OFF!

59.35 miles for the week—>  so close to 60!

Next week is peak week and there is two monster workouts, I can’t wait.

——————————————————————————-

What was the last race that you were a spectator?

What are your Sunday plans?

Favorite take-out restaurant?

Tell me about your best run this last week?