Surprise in the Mail

Last week: 30 total miles

Saturday: 7 miles

Back at the end of March we ran Chicago's Shamrock Shuffle 8k, 30,000 runners. Friday's mail brought a big surprise – an engraved medal. I had forgotten that I placed in my age group. After all my struggles with running over the past 2 1/2 months, seeing my name on it made me feel pretty proud.

On Saturday morning, I met the group for a 7 mile run and went out for breakfast afterwards. That started my day perfectly. My high-ham was really bothering me around 4 miles, but I pushed through, trying take short, quick strides.

Saturday afternoon, I don't think I sat down once – I cleaned my entire house which truly needed it and realized standing and walking helps my hamstring. Sitting makes the pain and tightness worse. It doesn't help that I sit all day long at work :(

My friend suggested I sit on one of those balls which made me laugh pretty hard. I'd be falling off that thing all day! I'll leave you with that thought . . .

Make it a great day!

One Week Until "The Taper"

Last week: 23 total miles

Saturday: 3 miles - a little shake-out before Sunday's 8k

Yesterday, Lisa, coach extraordinaire, emailed workouts for the week reminding me this is my last hard week. 

After this week, my taper starts.

The dreaded taper. Don't get me wrong, the taper is good. The rest is needed, but the metal tricks it plays. . . Shortly after I read "taper" in her email, I thought I felt a cold coming on. . . 

I truly can't believe Boston is only 3 weeks away. 

This training was quite a bit different than last year in the respect that I focused getting through each day of miserable-winter running that I lost site of the big calendar. But the training is in.

If last Sunday's 8k PR is any indication how much training in adverse conditions made me stronger, I feel confident.

If yesterday's 6 mile run after the 8k PR is any indication, ugh. My legs were very tired.

6 easy miles today

5 miles speed workout on Wednesday

20 miles Saturday

Shamrock Shuffle 2014 - 8k

Fun time with friends. Can't beat having a free beer after the race, lake front with the sun shining.

Beautiful day in the city. Perfect weather for a race. 38° and sunny, no wind.

 Great race. Didn't think I could run faster than last year, but I did it.

8k on Sunday - Weather Forecast Looking Good

chicago shamrock shuffle 8k

The weather is most unpredictable for this race. Will it be 20° and sleeting or 80° and humid? One year it was freezing cold. Another year we got sunburned.

Either way it's loads of fun, packed with people wearing green and of course, a free beer at the end.

A bunch a girls from the neighborhood are heading to the city together Sunday morning.

I'm bummed RFM will be missing the ladies and the free beer this year. Every runner's nightmare — he rolled his ankle off the curb on a routine 4 mile easy run and fractured it! 

6 weeks, no running.

Last week, my 16 miles felt great. Fingers crossed, I will have a strong run tomorrow. I'm starting in Wave 1, Corral A - undoubtably a fast start. Who knows if I can beat last year's time 35:00. 

I will certainly try :)

Have a great weekend!