Let's Do This

O hai! I forgot I had a blog. Where were we? I think rather than take you through the details of the last two and a half weeks I'll try to quickly wrap it up. Then we can get to the good stuff, which is that I'm officially in marathon training!

I'm feeling a lot better these days despite having a rocky couple of weeks. I think that even though life has been pretty tough, my attitude is better and I'm finding strength I didn't know I had. Without going into details, my mom has been sick and had to have surgery and all kinds of other stuff. She's doing good now and is healing up. I'm going up to visit this weekend and I'm really looking forward to seeing her. It's been hard on the whole family, but there is a silver lining which is that it's brought us all closer together. We're talking and planning trips together and just generally appreciating each other a lot more. My mom, dad, and brother (and sister-in-law, and grandma, and aunts and uncles...) are really incredible people and I'm so blessed to have them in my life. I know I have a lot to bring to the party too- a positive attitude, a healthy lifestyle, and a super kind husband. I know we are all going to get through this and come out stronger than ever. :)

I also have to give a quick shout out to my amazing friends who have provided so much love and support to me lately. My great friends here and my bestest friends in other states were all right there by my side and I love them so much for it. Emily, Alisa, Deana, Dana and our other friends have been keeping me company here in Portland and Maritza and Inga have been just as close from a distance. And of course thank you to my Zach, husband extraordinaire.

Well that is the condensed version of my situation, but there is a lot of running to be discussed so let's move it along!

I won't post every workout for the last few weeks, but I've been increasing my running mileage, doing yoga 2x a week, weight training several times a week, and stretching very consistently. I even got out for a short bike ride! I ran 31 miles two weeks ago and then 26 miles last week. I did a long run of 12 miles, mid-week runs of 8 miles, and a mix of easy and faster runs. All good stuff. I also managed to lose a couple of pounds, mostly due to stress, but I'll take it. I'm feeling strong and ready to tackle the big miles of marathon training.

So my training started this week. I'm doing the Pfitzinger 12 weeks/55 miles per week (max) plan again for the Eugene Marathon on May 2. I've done this plan three times and two times I PR'd/BQ'd. I'm going for the BQ again this time which is 3:40. I'm not going to bother trying to run a PR (3:36:something) because I think BQ is going to be a big enough challenge! This is my first stand-alone marathon since December 2008 so I'm thinking of it as my "come back" race. I'm just excited to be training and running and completing my 8th marathon (9th if you count the Ironman). It's going to be tough, but it's going to be fun.

I've already done two runs this week and they both went great. Here's the stats:

Monday
8.0 miles/1:09:00/8:38 average pace
GA run out on the river path with 10 x 100 m strides in the middle. In the past I've blown off the strides so this time I'm really going to try to do them. The run felt very comfortable. The sun was out which is happening more often these days- love it! Also loving the longer days so I can actually get the miles in during the daylight hours!

(Monday- weights, at home)

(Tuesday- yoga at gym)

Wednesday
9.0 miles/1:16:28/8:30 average pace
Forest Park run. The sun didn't stick around for long this week and so this run took place in the cold rain. Alisa went up with me and did her own cold, muddy run. She at least had tights on -I was underdressed and uncomfortable but otherwise the run was good. I haven't run up in Forest Park for a while so it was fun. Nice and muddy! I always love running that last downhill mile and can't help but run it all out. Today I think it was 7:07 or something. Yay!

(Wednesday- yoga at gym, after a hot shower to get the feeling back in my extremities)

I have an easy run on Friday (planning on running with Deana for that one) and my long run on Saturday (running that one with Zach because some of the miles are supposed to be at Goal Pace and he's my dream pacer). Then I leave for Montana and will be coming back Tuesday. I'm not sure I'll be able to run at all while I'm there due to snow/cold but we'll see. I'll bring my running things just in case.


I'm going to update my blog more, it's a new goal of mine. I know it helps keep me committed to and motivated for my training. Plus it helps to put it all out there, good or bad. It might not always be super sunny in Portland or in my life but I can't stay inside and hide from it. Thanks for sticking with me! :)

Here are a few pictures from a couple weeks ago. I took them on my bike ride along the river.