Day of Rest

I'm resting today and I'll be honest, its hard to rest. It was hard to not get up and go running this morning. Its not just about the run but about how it makes me feel the rest of the day. Its just my favorite way of getting the day started and helps me be in a better, more productive mood all day long. So after my alarm went off this morning, I just lay in bed (with a sweet little boy cuddled up next to me) thinking about how I have to stay in bed. I did that for about 15 or 20 minutes until my little one woke up for the day. I had to keep telling myself I needed to rest today even though my whole body was asking for a run. Not to mention my little running partner laying at my bedside waiting to get out there. But it will be worth it to have fresh legs for the marathon. Oh my gosh, that marathon, two days away...crazy!

I had a dream last night that we were late to the marathon. It was very, very similar to when we were late to our cruise. I woke up plenty early but A Bear wanted to play cards before we left so we played a few games and then I realized we were going to be late. I was running around trying to figure out what to wear and get dressed and I was trying to get help but no one would help me. It was a really weird dream. I think I'm just nervous and thinking about it way too much.

But yesterday I bought some new tunes and right now I am putting them on my newly fixed Ipod. I hope this helps, I am excited to have some new music to listen to. Tomorrow I am going to make a list of everything I need and get it all packed up. I just can't believe it. I'm getting so close.

Final Countdown

Is it really Tuesday, I mean am I really running this Saturday?? I can't believe the marathon is just days away. I feel like every time I talk to anyone they are asking me if I'm ready. Um...not sure, I don't know, is it too late to back out? Today I went out for a cold and windy 3 mile jog. I just keep praying for no wind on Saturday. The forecast grows bleaker with every passing day. Its gone from sunny to partly cloudy, to mostly cloudy. From high of 60 to 55 to low 50s. I can handle the cold, I can, I just can't do the wind like my 22 mile run. I guess there are lots of turns so if it is windy you are never actually into the wind for very long before you turn again. I guess that is comforting. Just make the final 4 miles downhill and with the wind, is that too much to ask for? I feel good, I'm trying to get as much rest as I can and get everything done during the week that I need to do this weekend. I am making meals ahead of time and getting the house clean, laundry done, etc. Josie was good this morning, better than yesterday, she has just seemed so tired lately. I hope we are feeding her enough.

The plan is to do maybe 4 miles tomorrow and 3 on Thursday. I might go out for a short jog on Friday and then its game time. 4 days away, just 4 little days.

Week 17

The last week before the final week. :) It was as pretty laid back week that ended well. I ran 26 miles this week finished off with an 8 mile run today. It was a good run, the first four miles I ran with Josie and she was kinda sluggish. It made it hard for me to get my pace going. So the last 4 I ran by myself at about a 7:50 min/mile pace. I felt good and it was nice to feel like I could push myself a little running since I was only going 8 miles. I just can't believe a week from today I will be running 26.2 miles. It is crazy, I just don't know if I'm ready. I mean I know I am ready to be done but is my body going to make it? I am planning on just having a pretty easy next week and just getting myself ready. I want to try and eat real good and get plenty of rest at night. Hopefully Baby C will cooperate with that. A Bear is getting ready for his 5 K and we're just both excited to be a part of the race.

The weather was pretty warm today. I ended up stopping by the house and changing into some shorts and a lighter shirt because I got so hot. It has made me think about how I will layer for the marathon. I think it will be much cooler that day but the weather can change a lot in 4 hours. But I think I have most things ready. I have my GUs, the clothes, arrangements made for the baby, I just need to get it all together.

Well 17 weeks down, just more to go!

Sunshine

We have had the sunniest past two days. It has been so nice to go out and run in the sunshine with the jogging stroller. Today I actually ran in shorts! Not bad for February. I was supposed to cross train today but I just couldn' t justify wasting a perfectly beautiful day working out inside. Plus tomorrow should be cloudy anyway. And today was especially wonderful because my whole family went running. I pushed baby C in the stroller and A Bear ran with Josie. It was so nice and so fun to have us all running together. It was so nice to just be running, not worrying about time and going a little slower these past few days with the stroller and just feeling good. Baby C loves to be in the stroller and enjoys looking at the all the houses. He especially loves when he can leave his head back and see me and smile. He was "talking" so loud while we were running it made me laugh. It just makes me so happy to bring two great loves in my life together. Family and running is a great combination. A Bear is getting into such good shape and ordered a new pair of running shoes that he is very excited about.

It has been so nice to think that this Saturday I only have to run 8 miles. I just keep thinking about all the extra time I am going to have and how I don't have to worry as much about what I eat and when I wake up and when I got bed, etc. etc. I can't believe its my last Saturday run before the big day. I checked out the weather forecast and for now, it is sunny for Saturday. Cloudy and rainy before and after Saturday but Saturday holds strong for now. I'll be checking everyday for an update. I sure hope that sunshine stays though.

Some days you just gotta run

This is how I felt today. I just had to get out. It wasn't convenient, it wasn't the weather, it wasn't a good time but I just needed to go. The day started out innocent enough. A Bear was supposed to be working from home since he just needed to file some forms today so when baby C woke up early I just decided to let him sleep in figuring I could just go running later. So when baby C went down for his nap I got all ready to leave to go running and of course, what should happen right as I'm walking out the door?? You guessed it, A Bear had to go not to his client but to downtown. Uhhh, I guess I should've been ready for it, but I just wasn't. I was bummed, for so many reasons. So he got ready and took off and in the meantime baby C woke up early from his nap. Not good, not good. So this means he is tired again soon and doesn't take his afternoon nap at his normal time which means no nap for mama. He started getting super fussy early evening, I was going stir crazy in the house and decided that was enough. I got dressed, bundled up baby C, put him in the jogging stroller (with two almost flat tires) and we headed out. It felt good to get out, super windy, making pushing a stroller difficult, but we pushed through 5 miles. Baby C got a nap, I got some exercise, and Josie gave me a look of ultimate betrayal for leaving her behind. Everyone, except Josie, was much happier when we got back. The night went smoothly, baby C went down great for bed, and I felt so much better. Some days you just have to get out there no matter how many things are working against you.

Week 16

I can't believe it, its just two weeks away. My marathon that I have been training for for 16 weeks is now just days away. I feel like I can start saying it in terms of how many days I have left. I finished up strong and now I just have one more Saturday run and then its marathon time. Today I finished up the week with a 12 mile run and I felt great. I kept good pace, about 8:20 min/mile. I did the first 5 with Josie and she had a blast. I have enjoyed running with her in the snow so much. Yesterday we got so much snow it was crazy and I wasn't sure if I wanted to go out running in it but Josie was so excited that I just had to take her and she had a blast. She just busts through the powder and loves it. Plus she can get a drink whenever her little heart desires. I had such a good time with her. Then I did the next almost 7 on my own and I felt great and knew I was keeping a good pace. I wasn't sure if I would ever get my legs back after last week so it was nice to feel like they are back. And I shouldn't lose them again until the marathon. Today's run brought my weekly total up to 25 miles and one day of cross train. I ended up only not running one day this week which is much better than I thought I would do after barely being able to walk on Sunday and Monday. It was cold and a little windy today but nothing can compare to last week so it felt good to me.

A Bear is starting to get excited about his race too and working on getting a good pair of shoes for the big day. I just think it is going to be so much fun for us to both be doing our races on the same day. I just think its so adorable how hard he is working on his training and wanting to find a good pair of shoes. Alright well, 16 weeks down and just 2 baby weeks to go!

Winter Wonderland

That is what we ran in this morning. We woke up to the earth being covered with a blanket of snow. I could hardly believe it! Where is my Texas? It has been so crazy to have this cold weather. I thought it would be fun for Josie to go out and run in the snow and so we headed out for a slow 5 mile run. I was so worried that I would slip and fall but I stayed on both feet and Josie was very good. She had a lot of fun running through the white powder and I couldn't help but laugh when she would pee in the snow and it would melt away. I loved seeing our footprints leaving their mark and as we were returning home I loved seeing children running through the streets throwing snowballs. As soon as I got back I had A Bear take a picture of us running and then of Baby C playing in the snow. Of course it was too cold to keep him out very long but we had fun. Then Josie and A Bear just ran around in the back yard, she was apparently not as worn out as I was after 5 miles. I tell you this girl is made of steel.

This week has been tough coming back from my 22 mile run and 42 mile week. I was still very sore on Monday morning and decided to take the day off and then on Tuesday I still didn't feel quite up to it. So I just cross trained and felt good, better than I thought I would. My shins seem to have greatly appreciated the rest and haven't been bothering me since I started running again yesterday. I did 4 miles yesterday and felt pretty good, it mostly just felt good to be out running again. I have felt slow but enjoyed being out running. I didn't know if I would get back into it after the disaster that was 22 miles but I'm starting to feel my motivation coming back to me. But this cold, cold weather is not helping. Nor is the ice and snow that we are expecting for the next couple of days. I just have to keep my telling myself that I am nearing the finish line. I got a new running hoodie and so hopefully that will help too. :)

Week 15

Never in my life have I done a harder run, never. My 22 mile run yesterday was so exhausting, I just didn't know I could feel like that. It was a cold and very windy day and I had to run about 6 or 7 miles straight into that wind on a wide open road. I just kept promising myself with every step that it would get better and then it never did. I, of course, didn't wear gloves because I thought that it would warm up instead of get colder as the day progressed and I thought my little hands were going to freeze off. They got so numb that when I got to one of my water stops I couldn't open the water bottle. I had to go behind a sign, stick my hand up my shirt for awhile and wait for some feeling to come back. I'm not sure exactly why I did the whole 22 miles since I was so miserable, but I did. I did it, 22 whole miles and I did it at about an 8:38 min/mile pace. Actually that is not that slow even though I felt like I was moving soooo slow. It was just a hard run, I did several miles uphill and then with the wind, so I just keep telling myself that there is no way that my marathon will be that rough of conditions right?? I mean I just have to hope that it won't be windy and that maybe the sun will make an appearance. This Texas weather has just 3 weeks to warm up because it is cold and rainy with no sings of stopping.

The run did have its good times too. It started off well, I kept really good pace the first 9 miles or so and felt really good. I got a late start because Baby C slept in so it was nice to have plenty of time to eat and get ready. But those last couple of miles i was rethinking the whole marathon thing, I mean if its windy and cold what will I do? I know how horrible it will be! I walked in the door and just wanted to fall on the ground crying (which I came pretty close to doing) but A Bear had to go to work right away and I had to immediately start taking care of the baby. I had to feed him and get him dressed and play with him. I didn't know if I could do it but it all worked out. I feel like this is my hardest post, where it sounds like I don't love running anymore... I do, I love what I'm doing and still love running, it was just a really hard run. And man are my legs feeling it today. I'll rest tomorrow and see if I can get some feeling back. But I am getting so close, just 3 little weeks away, just 2 more Saturday runs and then its game time. I can do it, I just need to push myself a little bit longer and then I'll be there and I just have to tell myself that it will be amazing. I have worked too hard for too long to give up now on the home stretch because i had such a difficult day. It was just one day of many days of running and I have had many, many more fabulous runs along the way. Just gotta keep going, 15 weeks down, 3 to go!

Worn Out

That's how I felt this morning on my run. It was like I was seriously forcing myself to put one foot in front of the other. I was so hungry and just felt weak. It was good to go out and get my three miles for the day done. Plus I didn't do anything else after I got back. I didn't do any ab work, I just stretched out and iced my shins. When I got back I was just so hungry, maybe I should eat more before I leave. I think since I pumped and fed baby C before I left that it kinda took more out of me than usual. Hopefully there will be time this afternoon for a nap because I have a very big day ahead of me tomorrow. I can't believe my 22 mile run is just one day away. What will I do if I feel like I did today tomorrow?? I mean I barely made it through 3 miles, 19 more, there's no way. I guess its just all about mentally preparing myself and physically preparing myself by eating more. I'm going to have pasta for dinner and then I'll make a late night snack and go to bed early. Then tomorrow morning I'll eat a banana and peanut butter and maybe part of an energy bar or something. I already have my GU, I just need to plan out my route and drop it off.

Josie was in good shape this morning, she is my motivation some days, seriously. I mean this morning after I finished feeding baby C I would've gladly just stayed cuddled in bed with my little family but there she was, sitting patiently, waiting to go. I just hate to let her down when I know how excited she gets to go running every morning. It sure is nice to have such a diligent running companion.

Moving downhill

That's how I feel now that I have my Wednesday run behind me, like I am finally moving downhill for the week. And after my long run on Saturday I will finally feel like I am moving downhill on this whole marathon training. After Saturday its just 3 weeks away, that doesn't sound so bad, does it? Today my run went well. Josie was in good shape today and still had a lot left in her to pick up pace of the end. Its weird because just today I was telling A Bear how I am getting run down and injuries are starting to provoke me, but Josie, she remains unphased. She never gets hurts, she doesn't have to ice anything and she's ready every morning for more. What is she doing differently from me? Well a few obvious answers, she is younger than me, an animal, and she is much stronger than me. But also, she rests all day if she needs to. She eats only healthy dog food that we give her (and occasional scraps she finds on the ground), I mean her treats are liver for goodness sakes. The girl is in impeccable shape. I think its good to take a few cues from her, more rest, eat healthy, no treats. Maybe then I wouldn't have aching shins and be icing my knees. Well its certainly something to think about...

Back to the grind

Well I feel like I am getting back to normal again. Today I got up early to do some speed work. I did 4, one mile repeats at an 8 min/mile pace. I felt good and felt like I kept the same pace up for all 4 miles. I did an easy 4 miles yesterday and so I am off to a good start for the week. My shins are still bothering me some so I am going to be more diligent in icing them. I just have such better days when I get up and get my runs done with early. I know I need to be careful these last few weeks so that I stay injury free. I would be so disappointed if I went all this way only to get injured the last leg. I hope that alternating between my new shoes and my old shoes isn't affecting my legs, I know old shoes can be a major injury causer in shins and knees.

I've been reading a lot in my running magazine this week trying to get motivated to push myself these last 4 weeks. I know that if I can make it through this week then I'll make it to the end, I just need to keep reminding myself that. At night when I go to sleep I just keep thinking, 22 miles...22 miles... Well at least I have The Biggest Loser to look forward to tonight, that always gets me motivated. :)

Week 14 or what should've been Week 14

So I ran 12 miles this week. 12 whole miles, it was not a good week. 12 miles is how many I was supposed to run today alone and instead it is my weekly total. I just seriously lacked motivation this week. And I had family in town and we stayed at a fun water park hotel and I just wore myself out. By the time Saturday rolled around I didn't want to get up early. A Bear had meeting all morning and by the time he got home I had no desire to get ready and run 12 miles in the cold. The weather was awful, just awful and with no treadmill, I just didn't want to do it. I have got to recommit myself for these last 4 weeks. I am just 4 weeks away now, I am getting so close. I have to keep going. I've worked too hard for 14 weeks to give up now and not push myself to the finish. This coming week is my 22 mile run. Its going to be cold this week and some rain, 22 miles is not going to be easy but I can do it. I can make it through. I think I am going to drop my cross train this week so I can keep my legs nice and fresh all week. I need to recommit myself to eating better too. I had a rough weekend, well last two weekends I haven't eaten very good so I need to keep eating healthy and no sugar on the weekends too. I feel like I am aware enough with my body to know what to eat the night before a long run and the morning of. The Gu has been working really well for me. I just need to keep going and take good care of myself. I need to start icing my legs and knees as they have been bothering me some. I can do it, 4 more weeks!

One of those days

Today was one of those days, you know, where everything is just crazy and you end the day exhausted. It started off with Baby C waking up early and me never going back to sleep. Followed by a rough day for the babe. He just couldn't nap very long and never really gave me much of a break. So I head out to go running and at this point, Baby C is wide awake with my husband, and I take Josie. We start out on a cold morning and I'm thinking, "man I did not dress warmly enough." I have been so spoiled with warm weather lately. Then about a quarter of a mile into it Josie spots a rabbit and she's off. Well no big deal right, that happens everyday, several times. Well she some how wrapped her leash around the tire of a SUV in a driveway and got it stuck under there. I climbed under the car, I pulled with everything I had, I could not get it out. I probably made it worse. I tried for about five minutes before realizing it wasn't coming. There were no lights on in the house and I didn't want to wake anyone up so I just grabbed Josie and walked her home. I was so upset when I got back and A Bear was nice enough to tell me to still go out for about 30 minutes. So I settled for a 3 mile jog and got my bearing back. I went back by the house and no one looked awake still and then when I drove by this afternoon the car and leash were gone. I'm not sure exactly what house it is but hopefully I can find the people who live there and see if they know anything about our leash. Days just don't go as well when Josie doesn't get her run and everything. Mondays, mondays, always playing harsh games with me...

Week 13

Phew, I made it through week 13, my toughest week so far. I actually did my long 20 mile run yesterday so that we could run in a 5K today. I was tired during the 5K but felt surprisingly well. I mean that doesn't mean that I didn't take a 2 hour nap this afternoon and go to sleep early but it went well. I ran the 20 mile run in about 2 hours and 50 minutes, which meant an 8:27 ish min/mile. I felt good, I really did. I had 3 water breaks and GU stops and that really kept me going. I got thirsty around mile 18 but I'll remember that for next time. I did some hills on this run which was good for me to do and get some practice in. The weather was fabulous and so that helped a ton. I was so happy to get it done because the weather today has not been so great. My weekly total is 40 miles! That is a big jump since I usually only do about 30 a week. I tried to stretch out for awhile on Friday and today so hopefully that will help with the tired muscles. I can't believe I made it through the 20 mile run, it just hung over me all week. It is so nice to have it done with. I can do 6 more miles right? Its just 6 miles, after 20 it shouldn't be that bad. It will be nice to have a recovery week to look forward to get back into it. In two weeks I'm scheduled for a 22 mile run. I'm not sure if I'll do the whole thing but we'll see. I am getting ready for this thing to come!

Today we ran a 5K benefit run and had such a fun time. A Bear did great and ran the whole thing. He really enjoyed it and is talking about running another one at my marathon and doing a triathlon this summer. It is fun to see him excited about it and it makes me more excited about my marathon thinking that he will be working hard for a race the same day. We figure he can still come and meet me several times during the race and run the 5K. I feel so guilty that we didn't take Josie with us on the run, she would've loved it and been the most in shape dog there, but we were worried she would go crazy with all the people. We could tell that she could smell the betrayal on us when we got home. I thought we would push Baby C in the stroller but my mom ended up keeping him for us. It was fun to having a running partner and to race each other to the finish line. I could get used to this...very used to this. :) 5 weeks to go!

You'd think I've learned my lesson

...but I haven't. Double knot your shoes,double knot your shoes. It takes two extra seconds and its not like it affects my running or the shoe. But yet this morning when I was tying my shoes I thought I'll just regular knot and low and behold what should happen. You guessed it, my right shoe came untied on my last mile repeat. I was about half a mile done with that 4th mile when I noticed it, shake it off I told myself. Then it got looser and looser, I can see the quarter mile mark approaching...I have to stop. Stop the watch, loose my pace, tie the shoe. It was fine and I actually ended up finishing that last mile in 7:45. I tried to run 8 min/mile and felt good. I did a quarter mile recovery in between but I felt ready to go again. Its nice to know that I can maintain this distance. Next week I think I'll go back to to 2 mile repeats and try and keep up the 8 min pace for 2 miles. But it was a good run this morning and the warm weather makes it so much more bearable. But I still just keep thinking every day, 20 miles this week, 20 miles this week. I think about it when I wake up, I think about it when I go to sleep, I just have to keep telling myself I can do it!

Week 12

Another week come and gone and now I have my 20 mile run hanging over me for this coming week. I finished the week today with a 15 mile run. I had planned on only running 13 and doing so at a slow pace since I was still coming back from my sickness. I did the first 6 miles with Josie. She did well and seemed to be running good. I normally don't run more than 5 miles with her so she was pretty worn out by the end but she did great. I then dropped her off, went to the bathroom, drank some water, and downed a chocolate Gu. Oh my goodness, thank you chocolate Gu, you are so much better than vanilla. It was a much needed boost and then I was feeling great for the next 9 miles. I decided to run the extra 2 because I was feeling good and I didn't do a long run last week and then when I i turned around at 4.5 miles I knew why I was feeling so good :), wind to my back. The return trip was not quite as enjoyable, but a few things helped out. 1- I was listening to new music, 2- I knew I had to get back to my husband who was waiting to go to the gym, 3- I had talked for a couple of minutes at a stoplight with a Boston man which gave me motivation. I did those last 9 miles at an 8:30/mile pace, so it was a good run for me. That finishes out my week at 27. I still haven't crossed that 30 mile mark for the week so this week should do it. Well 6 weeks and counting, I am really getting ready to get this marathon training over with...

Snooze button please

Uh I had the hardest time waking up today. I was up for what felt like, all night with baby C and it wasn't until after he was back in his own crib at 4 AM that I finally fell into a good sleep. I had forgotten that I accidently hit the snooze button on my phone yesterday and then turned it off so it wouldn't go off again. I forgot to reset my alarm and it didn't go off this morning. Luckily I have my dog alarm, Josie, who woke me up around 6:45. I ignored her thinking it must be like 6 since my alarm hadn't gone off. Then when I connected all the dots it was already 7. I didn't think I would have time to go running and though I would just go when A Bear got home from work but then I just knew that would never happen. So I shot out of bed and got ready as fast as I could. I figured i would only have about 15 or 20 mins to run but A Bear was nice enough to say he could leave for work a little late giving me my full 30 minute run. I was glad, but I Felt just awfu. I was slow, Josie was slow, we just never got into a good groove. I think we both need some serious naps today. Not to mention, I really need to rest up for my long run tomorrow since I haven't been on one in two and a half weeks. Whoops.

First Run with the Jogging Stroller

So what would you choose? Below freezing temperature, rising early, bundling up, leaving your sweet baby and hot husband in a warm bed; or gorgeous weather, short sleeve shirt, and running with your tiny baby sleeping right in front of you??? Easy for me to decide. I took advantage of the unusually warm weather today and ran with my brand new jogging stroller. It worked great, definitely more a work out and I wasn't keeping a fast pace but it was great. Baby C slept the whole time and the stroller worked out great. It also felt so nice to just get out and run again after being sick. I felt good and enjoyed the sunshine. So tomorrow its supposed to rain and be cold and I need to get up early before my husband leaves for work, but it made me excited about the days in the future when I don't have a marathon to train for and I can just enjoy my runs in the nice weather with my baby. So I hope I can pull through this week and stick with it, I need to make up for some lost time.

Week 11

Oh week 11, you started out okay, got colder and colder, and ended up not so great. The cold weather and sickness running around caught up with me by Friday and on Saturday I was in no shape for 18 miles. I did manage to do 6 and half or so on a treadmill but I didn't feel good during the run and I felt awful after. Friday morning I woke up with a bit of a sore throat and decided I could still do my 3 mile run outside (since I had already cross trained 2 days this week). Probably not a good idea with the wind chill making it feel in the negative degrees. I bundled up and felt okay everywhere there were layers but my face got so cold and my throat burned the rest of the day and weekend. I am still recovering some from the illness and won't run today. I'm hoping to be able to go out and do a run tomorrow morning. Luckily this is a recovery week for me according to my schedule and while I didn't do my 18 mile run this week, I did get a 17 miler in last week so hopefully my training won't suffer horribly. I think I will stick to my plan and just do 13 this Saturday, maybe 15 if I feel like it because next week I have that 20 mile run looming over my head. So this week I only ran 18 miles, less miles than even week 1 of training. I guess it happens to us all. I'm just ready to put this week behind me and focus on the next 7!

Back to Normal, whatever that is...

I have been having a hard time adjusting back to our normal schedules this week. So has Baby C but we are making it through. I finally feel like today the house is in order and I'm not overwhelmed about needing to get anything done. It has been hard to wake up early in the morning and leave my nice, warm bed. Plus with all the waking up at night and the little early riser we have this week it has made it even tougher. And lets talk about unbelievably cold weather! With the wind chill we are in the negative degrees. How am I supposed to work with this? The treadmill is not an option for me since, well, I don't have one but man I have a feeling tomorrow morning I am going to really wish that I did. You can only wear so many layers. I have cross trained 2 x this week already. I did get my run in on Monday morning and it went well. I hadn't run since last Thursday so I felt a little slow but it went well and then yesterday I did 5 miles. Josie has been fast but there seems to be way more rabbits out and about lately. It felt good to do some strength training these 2 x this week but I know I've got to brave the cold and get out there. When I was feeding Baby C this morning at like 1 I could just hear the wind howling, daring me to come outside. I have a big run this Saturday, I'm supposed to do 18 miles and I am hoping that it won't be too horribly cold.... I guess I could switch my runs and do less this week and more next week. I don't think that is a good idea though since I have a 20 mile run the week after that. I need to go and get back on weather.com and see if they have any better news than they did a few hours ago. :)

Week 10

I spent this entire week running in Arkansas while we were visiting A Bear's family. Now I absolutely love running in Arkansas, it is just so beautiful and so nice to switch things up. It was also good for to get some hills in since Texas is so darn flat. On Monday I ran 4 miles just aroun the neighborhood. I took Josie and let her run without her leash for awhile. She ran all through the stream and puddles and was so measy when we got back but she had a great time. I was really tired because it had been such a rough night with Baby C, he has a cold. On Tuesday I did my speedwork around the lake and it worked out perfect. I did 2 mile repeats and felt great. On Wednesday I did a quick about 2-3 mile run just aroun the neighborhood with Josie again but was so busy that day I didn't have much time. Plus I wanted to keep it short because I decided to do my long run on Thursday. It was just such a busy rest of the week with traveling back to Texas on Friday and then we spent the night with my parents on Friday night, so it just worked out best to do it on Thursday. I'm so glad that I did. It was an amazing run. My best one yet. I just felt so great and loved running in Maumelle. I did a few big hills and felt good, I just couldtell that I was keeping really good pace. I had water at various locations and had 2 GU packets which I thought made a big difference. They really gave me a boost when I needed them. I also had the sport jelly beans, which were so tasty and I munched on at the start of my run. I ended up doing 16 miles at about an 8:10 min/mile pace. It was a great day and I didn't even feel tired the rest of the day. I also didn't get sore really at all. I mean I had tired legs but I refueled well, and streched out for about 15 minutes after I got back and I think it made a big difference. It made me feel like I could really do this whole marathon thing. :) I didn't run Thursday or Friday and that brought my weekly total to 29. 10 weeks down 8 to go!