Exercise while on Vacation??  Why Not?  I LOVE to jog in new places and feel empowered because I just did an awesome workout on vaca while most are gaining weight hundreds of miles away from home.

My in-laws own a lake cottage in Northwest Michigan and it’s very peaceful up there.  Yes, it’s in bear country!  You never know what may come out of the woods!

I’m training for a marathon, so taking a week off is not an option.  I did decide that due to achy legs, I needed to decrease my long weekend run by a couple of miles.
I ran on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday and worked out to the new home exercise program by ShaunT called ‘FocusT25’ on my days off of running.  My family also spent 3+ hours cleaning up debris from what I swear was a ‘mini tornado’ all around the lake club.
Saturday’s run was hot & I didn’t get started as early as I had hoped, not to mention the margarita I enjoyed at dinner the night before.  But, I got a solid 10 miles completed.  Thankfully, the lake water was chilly which I considered my ‘ice bath’ that day.  (Ice baths really help my legs to recover faster and decreases joint/muscle achiness/soreness).  They aren’t pleasant though!

Last week we were home, and the kids started school on Wednesday.  After much drama from my kindergartener regarding getting on the school bus with her big brother, she finally was off to school and I was left alone!!  What do I do?  R-U-N!!

Last week’s training runs were all successful and I got all my mileage in:
Monday – 4 miles
Wednesday – 5 miles
Thursday – 5 miles
Saturday – 12 miles
I’m still maintaining a 9:15-10:0 minute miles on anything over 5 miles.  I push it harder on the shorter runs and am accomplishing 8:50-9:30 minutes miles. On off days, I actually rested and then did Les Mills Pump for strength training.  My body has changed a lot and not really for the better.  Because I’m running longer distance (over 60-90 minutes), my body has changed. In the spring, I was gaining muscle and getting more definition.  The past 2 weeks, I’ve actually gained a couple of pounds and feel ‘puffy.’  NOT something any woman wants to feel!  I am leaning out this week, but really want my muscle definition back.  Therefore, I’ve cut back on T25 and am doing Les Mills Pump on my off days, or taking true rest days. With all this running, I don’t need more cardio!  With increased mileage, I’m more fatigued and hungry than usual.  Once this marathon is completed…. I will be returning to less cardio and more strength training.  I LOVE a lean muscle with definition.  I’m not worried about ‘bulk’ because women don’t bulk.  We don’t have the testosterone to do so….. so no fears!  Lift those weights without fear! It’s GOOD for the body!

This week, my running plan is:
Monday – 4 miles = completed
Wednesday – 6 miles
Thursday – 4 miles
Saturday, I’m running a 5k (3.1) “Color me Rad” run with my 9-year-old and still need to log 14 -15 miles for marathon training. 

Many of my runs have been solo lately, which is good and bad.  I’m faster when running solo, but companionship sure is nice!  Last week, I messed up my evening times (t’s getting darker earlier) and got stuck finishing my last 2 miles in near darkness.  I swallowed a bug and stressed myself out being alone in the dark and ended up in tears.  NEVER AGAIN.

I’m learning that often times, running is more mentally fatiguing than physically.  And, I listen to my music quite loud (I’m 65ish % deaf in my right ear and like to drown out my breathing…… don’t judge me) so when a runner passes me on the path, I’m often caught off guard and startled.

Another awesome (note sarcasm) thing about running long distance is the friction skin burns.  I thought I had lubed all my normal spots up pre-run, but realized at mile 10 I had missed some spots.  OUCH!!!  See picture!!!

Ahhh…… this is called dedication, folks.  I’ve missed “Girl’s Nite Out” and a friend’s birthday bash this summer all in the name of running.  I’ve gotten up early on Saturday mornings to run to avoid heat and make it to my kids’ soccer games on time.  I’ve greatly decreased my Friday night glass of wine (zero now) so that I’m hydrated for the weekend’s run.  I wake up with stiff joints and sore muscles…… and I’m giving myself pep talks to complete runs.  But you know what??  I’m doing this because I WANT this.  I chose this goal and I’m doing everything I can to make sure I have no regrets when I cross that finish line.  I can tell myself to trust in my training and I can give it all I have knowing that I didn’t slack off.  I have about 4 more weeks of heavy training…. let’s see how these posts reflect my mood, fatigue level, motivation, and desire to do well.  Even I’m interested to see what the next few weeks of training have in store for me.
Chin Up!!  Stay focused and let’s GET THIS DONE!!  *BOOM*   Please keep me in your prayers for a strong mind and swift legs as I run my way closer to the Marathon!  October 20!

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