26.2 reasons to run 26.2

1. for family
2. for the patients of Dana-Farber
3. for Rebecca, who got me running again!
4. for those who can't
5. for those who don't
6. for those who won't
7. for relaxation
8. for the challenge
9. for My Awesome Support Team (friends and family)
10. for my husband who is there for me every step of the way
11. for a healthy lifestyle
12. for those who have lost their battle to cancer
13. for those still fighting
14. for happiness
15. for sunsets and sunrises
16. for the medal/bragging rights :)
17. for the memories
18. for the experience
19. for happily ever after
20. for positive energy
21. for ice cream, chocolate, and cookies!
22. for slowing down time
23. for taking steps forward
24. for peace and quiet
25. for a better tomorrow
26. for inspiration, and to inspire as well
.2. for me!

One Week To Marathon Day

7 days to go - time is ticking! I've raised over $5000 - very generous people out there. Now I'm thinking - I'm not that far off from the $8700 that they want us to raise. And I've got until September to do it. Yup - I can continue to raise money AFTER the race. So - if you haven't - it's not too late. And trust me - no amount is too small - it all counts!

A little stir crazy these days - lots of excess energy when you cut down on your workouts. Now I can catch up on all the cleaning I haven't been doing because I had no time, I was out running! Or not - I mean, maybe I should just rest....

Taper Time!

Got another 20 miler in yesterday - wasn't as good as last weekend. Mainly because it was cold and raw. Even had some white stuff floating around. Brian and I discussed whether it was pollen or snow. Finally decided on snow as it was cold when it hit our faces. BUT - it was fine. I'm ready.

And now - my favorite - TAPER TIME! That time in the training schedule when you cut back on your runs, try to relax and not eat too much. It feels good to know that all the hard work I've been doing is about to pay off. I confess to dancing around after the run yesterday singing about Taper Time!

To top it all off - today was cake time also! YUM!

New Weekend = New Attitude

What a difference a couple of days can make. Took two days off, in my two cross-training sessions I eased off on intensity and as a result, a fantastic 21.19 mile run (that .19 counts!). Running with my friend Rebecca for the first 5 set the tone for the run - relaxed, fun - the way it should be. Did the next lap and picked up Brian and Schooner. Schooner was so happy to run with us both for a lap. We did another without the dog to finish off the run. Knee was fine, foot was fine. It rocked!

Aside from the extra rest and the easier cross-training, I also switched from a 5:1 run-walk to a 3:1 interval. It was definitely easier and I'm gonna stick with that for race day. Yes - I am ready and I am gonna make it!

This week I'm not changing my plan, I'm still going to cross-train instead of running on the road during the week and do my long run next weekend. I don't want to jinx anything at this point.

Bad News / Good News

It's been a while since I posted. First - the bad. The knee is still bothering me - a lot. Actually, more than it was. I've been cross-training during the week and I've done my long runs on the road. I've switched to a run/walk program to try to alleviate the knee issue. It might be helping. I'm also pretty burnt out on running - not enjoying this running business so much anymore. (Huge understatement.) I mean - maybe some of us just weren't meant to run this far? 

BUT and it's a big one (keep your laughter down please) - the good news is overwhelming. I made my goal of $4500 - and some extra! So, no matter what happens - this entire journey / process/ pain-fest was a huge success! Hitting my goal was actually a big relief - one thing I don't have to worry about. One huge positive for me to think about during my excessively long cross-training sessions.

Pool Dangers

I did 4.5 on the road this week - and the other two runs I did cross-training. Tuesday I did an hour on the arc trainer and went and peeked into the pool area to judge the kid swim-noodle dangers. I watched as they put up "Do Not Cross" yellow tape on the ladders and made everyone leave the family pool. With horror I watched as they got out the skimmer. Baby Ruth bars flashed before my eyes. Plan B was called for.

I went for my first shallow water pool run. Well, the water goes from 3 to 4 feet - not that shallow. Running laps was absolutely exhausting. I could only handle 1/2 hour. My legs were shot - I literally wobbled my way to the locker room. To top it off - even after I showered I still smelt like chlorine.

Tomorrow is my long run - we'll see.

Treadmills, arc trainers and bikes - oh, my!

I ran 10 miles yesterday - with NO pain! Well, my knee hurt last night - but there was no pain during the run! I did 8 on the treadmill and was incredibly bored and tired so I hit the gym's indoor track - which made me nervous because it's really short and therefore really banked. But - still - NO pain! Even after I very stupidly did my last lap as fast as I could (which after 10 miles was probably not all that fast). After the running portion I did the arc trainer and the bike and walked some laps on the track - I think all together I was somewhere around 14-15 miles.

I'm still working with the PT folks at Rehab3 and my tentative plan is to run outside for one of my 3 runs this week, do the rest inside on the arc trainer, and do my long run next weekend at least partly outside. And to run the long run entirely next weekend. The foot is fine - at this point it's all about managing my knee to get me to the start with as little discomfort as possible. It will hurt during the race - everything will hurt during the race and probably for days after. It's all about finishing. The race and the fund raising!!