It's Taper Time again

It's that time - less than 2 weeks, the miles cut down, the hunger stays up but the eating must cut down. I just committed to no beer until the marathon is over - this will be difficult with 4 taps in the house with 4 different types of homebrew (well two are not drinkable yet but still).

I'm excited but my pessimism seeps out. What if I'm all hyped up and I blow it? What if I go in with the ego the size of the sun and get deflated? Eh, it is what it is. I really want this marathon to be Jay's big day - I want to meet him at the end when he tells me he qualified and he can share in the glory that is being a Boston Marathon qualifier. It is a nice status. He deserves it, he's work for it and he can get it - but it's all up to him on that day!

I too want the Boston marathon qualifier title again too= I know I can do it- I just hope all of the important things align so it can happen again - especially in under 3:30 :) Another Goon lady got a 3:27 in her marathon yesterday - LIKE - that's a NICE marathon PR - and I'm gonna try and go get it.

I'm prepped for all the stupid pains that come with taper oh and my new saga - my toenails cutting my toes so that the last two runs end with a bloody sock.

Ah - yes, I'm a runner. I love it.

Agenda for last and this weekend: Running and Eating

The last two weekends (last and this coming) when people ask me what I'm doing/what I did? Hmmm..ran and ate. This weekend is a particularly grueling one: 23 mile long run which I'm oddly looking forward to (as is Jay) and a 10K with the Goons in which FB will be there to cheer us on and (not sure if he was joking or not) take us to breakfast after.

It's our last long in the 20s - and then we go down from here. I can't believe it. As tough and tired as I feel during marathon training - I love the schedule - I love knowing that my next dose of cardio isn't far away and that I can bust out my old school paper schedule (yes, I have to keep it in my purse in paper form even though I am lucky enough to own now my second iphone since some prick stole mine from me this week) and see how long or hard I have to go.

Boston is in my head today - I want to take a break - I want to enjoy the winter and just ski - but there is an entry laying before me that I worked so hard on April 19th 2009 to get and succeeded - how do I let that go? I promised myself that I wouldn't sign up for Boston 2010 until Chicago is over but the crazy seems to have taken over today - I'm holding off but when I've got running buddy Hank encouraging it and another long distance friend already signed up - it's tough. Come April 2010 - I don't want to be standing on the sidelines with regret ....and the crazy/OCD/addiction wears on.......

X number of weeks, tight hips, blisters - it must be marathon training season

52 miles in 5 days last week - this week is 'lite' - only in the high 40s. Good training - sore hips but the Goon Squad and FB are the best things to happen to my running. Lots of hurting but it means I'm training hard and well. Up early for 8-9 miles @ 4:45 with a running buddy.

One week in....

One week into Chicago Marathon training and it's the most exciting thus far.

I would prefer for the rain to let up but it's better than snow and ice any day - I just love a really long, hot run - coming home, showering, have a beer on the deck with some BBQ.

Tomorrow is 14 miles....looking forward to the beverage post run.

Running in Europe

Tomorrow I will take my running to Europe and I can't wait. I will be able to run along the best sites in Barcelona and Paris - how can you beat that? Talk about keeping things interesting.

It will be hard yet nice to take some time off of the regular regimen. No speed workout for 2+ weeks and off the regular schedule. Extremely appropriate 'break' prior to the initiation of training for Chicago marathon.

I will have to ensure I get SOME good running in as I will be eating lots o good food and drinking some phenomenal wine.....

This running will be maintenance - all in preparation for the rigor of Chicago training...3:30 is the goal - or breaking 3:30 :)

Return to the Blog

This blog started as a place for me to take our my frustrations commuting to and from work - then it shifted to running and then I stopped.

The last post was when I was determined to qualify for Boston on May 31, 2008.  I did qualify for Boston and since, ran Boston and qualified again.  The love of running has gotten more intense and it's great.

Next up: Chicago but not without Falmouth Road Race and a few other small races in between.  I think I will use the blog to document my running addiction and all that is entailed.

Tonight I sit - post a great interval workout with the coach and GTD last night and an easy 4 miles tonight.  Starving after dinner as usual :)

In San Diego: Will qualify for Boston Marathon tomorrow

I'm sitting in my hotel room awaiting departure to the expo @ the San Diego Marathon.  I'm ready to go - ready to complete my goal tomorrow.  Jay is ready too and we can't wait to have our beer after qualifying for Boston tomorrow here.  I am very ready to make our times, drink beer and recover over the summer.

I'm ready to run with my heart.