Oh Ave of the Giants - see you in two days!

Oh so looking forward to this weekend. Marathons are such a crazy challenge. First few miles you are flying and trying to pace yourself (literally). Then you just kind of go with it and are in a zone. Miles 14ish to 20 - it gets serious and stays serious. Your legs start to feel like all the weight of the world is bringing them to a halt, yet this is when you have to just ignore that feeling and thoughts in your head and charge on. This is where I usually "hit the wall" my own special way - meaning, I usually think I could curl up and take a nap on the sidelines and it would be ok. I have to reach deep to find the sane part of me. Last few miles, I just have to do it and know that I'm almost done and I'll really be able to stop running once I hit 26.2. I also look forward to friends and family that meet me at the end and sometimes along the way.

Personal Records

With 4 days to go until the Marathon, I'm having a terrible time focusing. Recently I left my company after 5 exciting and sometimes challenging years. I am also getting married in 2 months. Those are my confessions. What does this have to do with running? It has more to do with not running. I long for a long run - the head clearing, mile upon mile kind with a great running buddy. When I started training for my first marathon 5 years ago, I was single, just finishing up grad school, and still in the process of, well, processing. While I'll always be processing in some way, now I am a seasoned worker, runner, and about to be married. I've come a longer way than 26 miles, but I find myself at another crossroad and it's a bit scary. Life is all about PRing - I'm looking for my next PR.

Week before my 7th Marathon!

Is it too crazy to say that I've almost lost count?

This training was the hardest yet easiest. It went by really quickly even though at its peak, we were running 50 plus miles a week! Now I have extra time on my hands and no big workouts until after the marathon, but I am trying not to get too nervous for next Sunday.

This week it's just a 40 minute, 3x400's, two days rest, 30 minute, drive up to the Redwoods and then the marathon. I will fill the week with rest, carbo loading, stretching, hydrating and some positive PR thoughts.

Running is for the birds.

I usually run in the mornings or after work, but yesterday I had the opportunity to run midday. I started out in the drizzle and by the end the sun was shining. I actually ran in capri tights and my old navy rain jacket because for once, I was in the mood to be overdressed. Well, overdressed for me. I'd normally rather be too cold than warm while running.

I didn't see many other runners out there - but I did see this bird.

Is it a crane? Chrissy field has tons of interesting birds since it's marshy. I wanted to get close but it looked so regal that I didn't want to disturb it. Once I got a little closer, I could see it's feathers were a bit rumpled. I felt a little bit comforted by that. But I know we're both ok.

I ran 5 miles easy. Today I will run the last tempo before the marathon. My legs already are forgetting all of the miles they've done but they better not forget too much :)

Lazy Legs

Oh tired and lazy legs, you better rest up! I'm catching up on sleep, wedding planning, Survivor Watching and generally overworking and taking a rest from long week day runs. I am allowed to for this week and next week leading up to the marathon. I only have one tempo left (tomorrow) and some short runs. I'm hoping to head out today on a 5 miler, but other than that, we are in the home stretch.

After the marathon, I will follow Sarah's bootcamp schedule that she made for us. I want to get in shape for my wedding, and I think she just likes following a schedule :)

It may actually rain for the marathon which is kinda weird for California in May, but at least it won't be hot!

Starting the taper craziness

I haven't been as good with updating this lately as I have been with other marathon training. Hopefully that means I'm spending more time running and less writing, but I also think that wedding planning, working and commuting also has something to do with it.

I did get back from the east coast and finish all of my workouts and miles last week, finishing with a great 22 on the Iron Horse Trail with Sarah on the weekend with two 4 mile intervals of pace thrown in! That felt good. I was on a runner's high and spent too much money on wedding shoes after. Lesson - never go shopping on a runner's high!

This week start the taper - but we aren't taking it too lightly. We had a 8 mile run, 6 mile run, track workout and a tempo ending with 12 miles this weekend (that's the nice part). I read a little bit of the taper chaper in Hal Higdon's book to refresh myself. I was reminded that I should still work hard on the speed workouts and only take the miles down a notch. Next week it's easier and the week after will be very easy on the running.

I am excited for the marathon. I intend on working hard to get a PR (hopefully) and just do my best. Then I may take a break from marathons for a little while. We'll see :)

Finally won the NYC Marathon lottery!

After three years, I'm in! The NYC marathon will be on November 7th! I had a taste of what it will be like when I ran over the Brooklyn Bridge last week! So exciting.

Big trees are only weeks away!

Last week I was on vacation, lazing away in New York and Philly. While visiting family, friends and partying at my Bridal Shower, I didn't find too much time to run. Actually only ran 14 miles over the Brooklyn bridge and three, three mile runs with Annie, the wonder dog. This week, I am going to make sure I get all of my workouts in so I don't undo the good training I have under my belt. Yesterday and today I ran and my legs felt very fresh. Hoping they will feel that way on May 2!