Marathon Training: Week 5

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I am finishing up week 5 (of 26) of my marathon training plan.

I still have a ways to go (obviously).  It’s been harder than I thought.  Scratch that. I knew it would be hard to run in the heat and to add mileage to long runs while it was still hot.  In reality, it wasn’t the heat that brought me down….it was the humidity.  I have had some tough tough tough runs.  You know, the ones that demoralize you and make you feel you have taken on more than you should.  The types of runs which make you question your ability TO run.  The run that makes you think you should just hang up your running shoes, at least until the weather cools off.

Oh yes, I have had ALL these thoughts, and more.

Thank goodness I have been running for a few years and didn’t listen to those temporary inner demons.  Thank goodness I already REGISTERED for the darn race- ha!

We had a cool front move through last week so instead of running in 75-80 degree weather at 7am, I got to run in 65-70 degree weather at 7am, I got to run in 65-70 degree weather at 7am.  What a difference a few degrees in temperatures makes in the way I feel.  Then, I spent the weekend in Colorado and had the opportunity to run one morning in 58 degree weather.  OMG.  It was so refreshing to run at this temperature.  In fact, I ran my fastest mile ever….I haven’t run that fast in over 8 months.  That run gave me hope that my pace just might improve a bit when cooler weather is here to stay in Texas.  Plus, the beautiful Colorado scenery (and the coyote sighting) gave me the break I needed from running my same old routes.

I have to brag for a second. While in Colorado, my friends and I did a hike UP (and DOWN) a mountain to the tune of a 1255 elevation gain in 1.75 miles.  It was sunny, hot, and hard. My friends let me take the lead and then joked they couldn’t keep up with me.  I just kept a steady pace and even breathing, placing one foot in front of the other until we reached the top.  Isn’t it beautiful? The next day, my friends were talking about their aches and pains from the hike and I had to admit, I had ZERO aches and pains from the hike.  I know it is because of the running I do.  

The husband and I continue to juggle our running schedule.  It’s definitely a give and take situation.  We both need to get our runs in and our family needs to be taken care of.  We spend a bit of time working out logistics and talking running shop.  Now, if only I could get him to do some yoga with me!  All this juggling of schedules and whatnot will be worth it when we cross the finish line of the Austin Marathon.

Pandora has become my new best running friend.  Listening to the same ole songs on my iPod got old.  OK, in reality, my ancient old iPod is on the fritz and I used Pandora as a back up until I find time (and money) to buy a new iPod.  But instead, I am thinking of kicking my iPod to the curb forever and shacking up with Pandora permanently.  Your thoughts?

I have already started thinking about what I want to wear when I cross the finish line of 26.2 miles- how SILLY is that?!

Thank you guys, for taking this journey with me.  It’s gonna be a long one- 26 weeks of training and ONE race day.

How are YOU doing?

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