How did we get to WEEK SIX?? Crazytown, I tell you.

“It is too true, Peter. Time does fly.” Captain Hook (as played by Dustin Hoffman)

I have to tell you this has been my strongest week yet. Yes, for sure the weather was a HUGE factor in my re-gaining my running mojo, but also I do believe the training plan is just working and my body is adapting and getting stronger and more fit.

I have been having a few niggles – tight calves, a bit of pain in my left arch (not unusual for me when I ramp up mileage) and a tad bit of weakness in my right ankle (more on that in a minute). If you’re new to the blog, I’m following Hal Higdon’s Novice 2 Marathon Training Plan in preparation for the Disney World Marathon in January.

Here’s how it went:

Sunday – 1 hour of cross training. And guess what?? I DID IT! First time it’s actually happened. 1 hour walk with my sweet husband. It was great – perfect weather, great conversation. Love this man.

Monday – rest day. Nailed it.

Tuesday – 3 miles easy. I LOVED this run. Went out with no GPS device (didn’t even track it on my phone!) and just ran by effort. No idea on pace but I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Need to do this at least once a week.

Wednesday – 6 miles at marathon pace. I ROCKED this run. Well, not at first. My left foot was seriously bothering me when I started. I decided to try one mile and if it didn’t loosen up, I’d have to call it as it was bad enough that I could feel my form being affected. But, miraculously, just about one mile in, it loosened up, the pain went away, and I was OFF!

Seriously loved every mile and although it was tough, it was a good tough, and I ended up with a 10:43 average pace with my fastest mile being mile 4 at 10:19. Wow – not wow for some but total wow for me, the girl who’s never run a marathon in even under 5:30 let alone sub 5 (my PR is 5:36). My goal for marathon day is sub 5 so I am right on track. Exciting and it’s starting to feel very possible. Oh, and I forgot to mention the BEST PART! It was CHILLY and I needed A JACKET. Dear Lord, I thought that was never going to happen again. Amazingville.

this is my “I can’t believe I need a jacket” face

Thursday – 3 miles easy. So yes, Wednesday was amazing, but Thursday I was really feeling it. My arch was hurting and my ankle just felt weird, so I decided to walk this mileage. I found this great article about how to walk on running days and how good it is for you and your training plan.  I’d also had a crazy stressful day and the walk outside was just what I needed to clear my head.

Friday – Rest day.

Side note: as of this day, we are officially, only 3 weeks away from leaving for the Wine and Dine Half Marathon. And, as luck would have it, the week of the half on my marathon training plan I’m scheduled to do . . . a half. So yeah, that worked out nicely! Are you going to be there?? If so, let me know! I haven’t run a Run Disney race since last January and it’s definitely TIME!

Saturday – 9 miles. This is a “step down” week and I was very ready for it! Different training plans handle this differently – some you don’t step down at all and others, like Jeff Galloway’s, only have you increasing mileage every OTHER week with a big step down in between. I like this because every two or three weeks of increase we get a break.

I see these sweet people doing, I think, Tai Chi every week. I so want to join them but it doesn’t feel like something one just jumps into. Maybe someday.

Today was lovely – a little more humid than last week but still gorgeous. I am really happy not only with my time but with how I felt – very strong and very comfortable. No soreness to speak off and as I sit hear now recovering, I truly feel strong and ready for the rest of my day.

Speaking of which, I better get to it. Stephanie, my blogging friend and neighbor, is picking me up at 12:15 so we can go to a blogging conference together. I’ll tell you all about that in another post.

Happy running!

Jen