I apologize in advance if this installment is less than thrilling. I’ve done a ton of blogging this week about a lot of things other than running, but I have been trucking alone with my training plan! Three full weeks down, only 15 to go!

Yup, this is where I get to run most day. Not too shabby, right? Andy Brown Park, Coppell, TX

Sunday – on the schedule – Cross train for 60 minutes. Again, this DID NOT happen. It’s still too warm to ride my bike in the middle of the day and I was too pooped after work to do anything. This cross training day is becoming a joke. Maybe I’ll get this part right next week?? I did walk my dogs for about 15 minutes so that’s something, right?? Ugh.

Monday – rest. Nailed it.

Tuesday – 3 miles easy. This ended up being a walk with my delightful spouse the international airline pilot. He’d been gone on a long trip to Madrid, Spain, and we had to reconnect. And yes, as I type that sentence I realize how obnoxious it sounds. Sorry. We did maintain a pretty good pace of 16 minutes per mile, so I’m counting this mileage even though I wasn’t running. My marathon training = my rules.

Wednesday – 5 miles, marathon pace. I am SO PROUD of this day! My goal marathon pace is 11 minutes per mile (which would give me a 4:49 marathon) and I did this under that at 10:43 average pace. Right on target.

Thursday – was supposed to be 3 miles easy. Didn’t happen. Work got in the way.

Friday – did yesterday’s 3 miles easy and truly had a very joyful and easy run. I LOVE running on my day off because I can really take my time. I wonder if moving the Thursday training day to Friday is a  problem some weeks?? If anyone knows Hal Higdon (or if you’re reading;), please let me know and we will ask him.

Saturday – 9 mile long run. I had actually flip flopped the schedule as last week (when I ran a 10K) was supposed to be 9 and this week 6. Happily, my Hal Higdon app didn’t mind and still logged the 9 miles (although it was a bummer to hear him say at the 6 mile mark “great job! you’re done! when clearly I was NOT;).

Came across this sweet sign on my trail today. I couldn’t agree more!

This was, perhaps, my best long run to date. Truly. I felt strong the entire time and although this plan calls for a brief walk break every mile (walking through water stops) I only walked twice and not at all prior to mile 4.5. And honestly? I could have done 2 more miles easily. Saw a couple of my friends and that always helps! Thanks, Julie N. and Julie B., for your high fives and smiles!

I think it’s the mid week longish runs that are doing the trick and although they are sort of a pain in the middle of the week, if they work, I’m in. Feeling strong the whole time is actually more important to me than getting faster and I definitely feel that I am improving.

Time for the long run today was right where it needed to be – I was shooting for about 12 minutes per mile and ended up with an 11:56. Close enough, right;)?? Oh, and guess what? I accidentally wound up in a 10K for a bit! It’s very motivating to see racers when you’re not expecting them. I even got cheered for! (don’t worry, I didn’t take any of the water nor did I cross the finish line).

It was an exceptionally beautiful morning!

I hope today finds you feeling strong and empowered. And if not, go listen to the Katherine Switzer interview on the Another Mother Podcast. It came up on my playlist around mile 6 and was AWESOME. You can find it and also find out about her great program to inspire woman runner’s all over the world here.