WEEK IN REVIEW-4-6-12.5 miles

I have neglected to journal my runs this week, due to a crazy week at our house. Don't worry, I haven't given up! I skipped Monday's run. My hip flexer wasn't doing well after Saturdays long run, so I opted to take a healing day and I am glad I did. It was doing a lot better by Wednesday. Running Monday wasn't worth worsening my injury and blowing my whole week. Wednesday I did 6 miles, nothing to exciting to report. Thursday's usual run took place on Friday because of the crappy weather. I did 4 miles. I usually have Friday as a rest day to prep for Saturday, so I was hoping it would be OK, it was. Today's run was awesome!!! Steve found me at mile 6, and was there for the remainder leading me through. He stopped every 2 miles to replenish me with fluids. I finished at the corner of Smith's. I took a little detour from what was planned to avoid construction. We remeasured on the way home and I actually did 12.5 miles. My time was 1 hour 52 minutes. I was pleased! I had a one on one with Hawk Harper (this man is amazing, actually his whole family is, click on his name for all the info)yesterday up at his store, the Runners Corner. He gave me some great suggestions to help with my form and speed. I tested it today and it helped a ton! A pep talk from him was exactly what I needed for today. I feel well prepared for the half marathon. I am totally stoked. the next few weeks leading up to it are a bit less intense, it will be a good break. I will keep you posted!

ENDURANCE-11 miles

My run was great today, 1 hour 41 minutes. Upping my miles this week really helped my endurance for this long run. I am excited for 12 miles next week. I am going to change my route and head towards Smith's. I haven't measured the miles out yet, but I'll probably end up in the parking lot. Anyone need me to pick up a few groceries? The route for the marathon is down grade for 9 miles. I have trained a lot uphill, but need to train a little more downhill. The run down to Saratoga will closely compare to the marathon. It will also be a good change of scenery. My hip flexer is killing me today. I can hardly lift my leg to walk up the stairs, of put my pants on. I am really going to rest this so I can recover for Monday. Hopefully all will be well.

WE BOOKED A ROOM-4 miles

This weeks miles increased to 4-6-4. I was hoping I could do it. I did. Yeah!!!! We booked a room today at the Marriott for the marathon. We are going to make a weekend of it. My mom-in-law had a coupon for "buy a night, get a night". So we will go up Friday and pick up my registration packet, head to the pasta party, and chill for the night. We are going to bring the boys with us, and leave the girls. The boys need some good bonding time with mom and dad, so that's what they'll get. We will stay the next night as well, so we;ll hang out after the race and maybe hit the planetarium and the pool. I am so excited. Staying in Salt Lake seemed like the best way to do this. The race starts at 7:00, so we would have to leave the house by 4:00 to get to the starting line through the 25,000 spectators they plan on attending. Now I can get up early and head on TRAX to get to the start. Then my boys can sleep in and meet me at the finish line, hopefully by 9:00. I think it will all work out well, I hope!

GEARING UP-6 miles

I ventured up the hill today, hoping to mentally prepare myself for Saturday. I am anxiously awaiting Saturday, 2 more big runs before the marathon. It's all is starting to feel so real now. I just keep reminding myself that "I can do hard things!" And ya, this is definitely hard!

HOT! HOT! HOT!-4 miles

And did I mention windy. Well ok, maybe just breezy. But combine it with the heat and WHOOOO BABY!!!!! For the first time today on my run I was reallly really thirsty. I usually run 6 miles before I am ready for fluids, but today I was ready at mile one. I couldn't believe it! I have been drinking water all afternoon! It was hard today, but I got it done!!! Thank goodness!!!

A BEAUTIFUL MORNING-10 miles

It was an absolute perfect morning for a long run. Clear blue skies, a slight chill in the air, and not even a breeze to push or hinder. This week was much easier than my 9 miles last week. I haven't been eating enough(so I've been told). Apparently 1200 calories a day isn't enough for an avid runner, especially when your burning that many on your weekend run. So, I've upped my calories a bit this week, and I can see a difference in my performance. Last week I almost didn't make it up the hill, I wanted to cry and quit. This week was fine, I flew right up. My time was awesome today, 1 hour and 31 minutes. I did 10 miles today in only 4 more minutes than my 9 miles last week. My time is improving a lot faster than I thought it would. I am definitely not complaining about that! This next week is pretty intense. By the end of the week I will have ran 25 mile2. Wish me luck!

UP AND GOING-3 miles

I got out early and got my run in. Once again, nothing to exciting to report. Same cracks in the road, same landmarks in the sky. I'm just mainly trying to mentally prepare for Saturday. It will come so quickly! I loaded some new songs on my IPOD tonight. I'm looking forward to running to a few new tunes.