Only 3 more weeks!

The Wasatch Back is only 3 weeks away!  I'm a little freaked out and nervous and very excited!  Check out Tall Girl Running's blog for a great description of how I think we're all feeling.  My family drove the course on Monday so that I could check out my legs and get a feel for the course.  It was good to see exactly where I'd be running.  It is some of the most beautiful scenery I've seen.  But it really reinforced to me just how long it really is.  187 + miles is a long way!  What an adventure I've gotten myself into!  I am also really grateful to those 11 other amazing women that I will be joining for this experience.  I've never actually met any of them, but I'm sure after those 24 + hours together in a van we'll know each other maybe better than we would wish!  There are some really steep uphills on some rough terrain that are pretty intimidating.  I'm so glad there was someone willing to do those.  I really can't wait!  And it will give me a good base to start my marathon training for St. George.  I made it through the lottery this year with Heather (my friend that I ran my first marathon with) and Angi and Missy my two friends from high school.  I can't wait!  It's always better to suffer with friends than by yourself!

What I've been up to since the last report: 

These keep me accountable!

Monday:  Jumped rope for 25 minutes

Tuesday:  6.5 miles with trail hills.  

Wednesday:  5 miles

Thursday:  Ran the high school bleachers for 30 minutes.  Kicked my rear!

Friday:  4 miles easy

Saturday:  10 miles   kind of dreaded it.  I had a hard time getting out the door and an even harder time finishing it.  Just felt tired.

Tuesday:  5.5 miles with trail hills.  Full body weights.  

Wednesday:  4 miles

Thursday:  lower body weights

Friday: 5 miles

Saturday:  5.5 miles fast, ballet class, 6.5 miles fast at night in the pouring rain.

Monday:  4.5 miles slowly.  I was SO sore from Saturday's events I had to take it easy.  I don't remember being that sore even after the last marathon.  Of  course that could just be my memory playing tricks on me.

Wednesday:  jumped rope for 40 minutes.  Upper body weights

Thursday:  3 miles with hills.  My ankles and calves were still a little sore, but not too bad.

More miles without injury, yeah!

Thursday:  3.75 miles recovery, stretching, and 4 mile walk

Friday:  6 miles trail run, hard hills

Monday:  3.2 miles+ 5.5 miles in the afternoon

Wednesday:  5.3 miles

Thursday:  weights

Saturday:  6.6 miles in the pouring rain

Monday:  6 mile trail run, hard hills

Tuesday:  2.5 miles 

Wednesday:  5 miles 

Thursday:  3 miles

Saturday:  5 miles in the morning +  6 miles in the evening

It's getting closer to the Wasatch Back and nervous excitement is definitely here.  Our legs were assigned, then changed by the race directors, then switched around again.  I ended up with the best leg of them all.  I was kind of worried about the 2nd leg change.  The last one was pretty tough and I'm so worried about injuring myself.  I had decided not to complain and I would just tough it out and do it slow.  But it was changed and I think it worked out really well for me.  I can't wait to spend 24 hours with these amazing women and accomplish over 178 miles together!  It's gonna be awesome!  I've been pretty diligent keeping myself under control, resting when I need it, and going to bed earlier.  If I can just make it through this, I think I'll have a good base to start building my next marathon upon.  I signed up for the St. George Marathon with some friends.  We don't find out if we're in yet until Monday night, but the plan is if we don't make it in to that one to run Top of Utah.  That's the plan!  But I've very aware of how plans also change!