Taper time!

I am officially in the taper and madness has begun. I am in a bubble like John Travolta. If you sneeze don't be offended if I run in the other direction. I am officially neurotic. I walk on the roads and sidewalks with a shuffle to avoid rolling an ankle. It's crazy!

I finished my training off in PA and NY. Home of snow and hills. PA got 16 inches of snow and I ran through it. Try going up steep hills through a few inches of snow. Quite the workout when you are used to the flat land of Illinois. I was supposed to do 10 and 20 back to back, but the snow and hills caused me to do 7 and 15.25. I called it good because I was freaking exhausted. More tired than any other training run all year even the previous 10 and 20 I did a few weeks before. I feel ready for the Goofy and really can't wait to get there.

For now,

Adding to the Adventure Book!

9 more days until we leave for Disney and The Goofy Challenge!

Cold weather training stinks!

I made it through my first 10 mile and 20 mile back to back runs. I did the 10 mile outside and got frostbite. I was pretty miserable. The next day was supposed to be even colder so I decided to do it on the treadmill. 20 miles. Oh my. I was on the treadmill for 4 and a half hours! That is just not right! I actually felt fine physically. I could have gone longer. Mentally it was draining. The weather has been horrible. I haven't been outside since the 10 miler. All my training has been on the dreadmill.

Now we are leaving town again to head east to visit our families for Christmas. I have my last big back to back this weekend. Another 10 miler and 20 miler. It is much hillier in PA and NY so I'm a bit nervous. Also a big snowstorm is coming. I don't have a treadmill there so this could be interesting!

I can't believe it's only three weeks until the races. It is so close now. I can't wait.

For now,

Adding to the Adventure Book!

The final push!

We are back from vacation. We had a great time in Jamaica. The weather was perfect for once. We usually have nothing but clouds and rain, but had beautiful sunny days every day. I stuck with my running and I have to say I am quite proud of myself. I got up at 5:30 on five mornings! I ran two 10 milers and three 5 milers. It was so hard to get out of bed after being up too late the night before. But my plan worked. I got up and got it done and then had a great big breakfast guilt free and would nap on the beach. It can be done. Not my favorite thing but I did it!

Now it's time for the real mileage. This weekend I have my first of two 10-20 back to back runs. I'm pretty nervous. Due to vacation, even though I ran quite a bit I still feel like I lost some fitness. I'm sure it will be fine, but I'll be glad to get through this weekend. It is only going to be 20 degrees both mornings this weekend. So not looking forward to that.

I really can't wait to get to Disney and meet all of my Team All Ears teammates. My fundraising is going well. I have very generous friends and family and I am very thankful!!!

For now,

Adding to the Adventure Book!