Whew!  I did it.  This was the highest mileage week of the plan (although 2 weeks from now will be same).  Wasn’t sure I’d be able to get everything in because it was also the coldest (as in crazy, insanely cold) week of the winter so far, with temps of -25 below at one point.  With a little advance planning (cramming in the med-long runs earlier in the week when the weather wasn’t quite as horrible), creativity (doing random workouts on the treadmill) and determination (getting out for my 20 miler today, even though temps/windchill was -15), I did it.  AND I even managed to get in all the cross-training, weights and pilates that I wanted to.  Banner week!

My long run today started off fabulous.  I picked a hilly route because I want to get myself prepared for Little Rock.  It was cold (-2; wc -11) when I started, but I was going away from the wind and the sun was out and I had enough layers on.  I was actually too warm at first.  I was really surprised at how easy the hills felt.  Going up and going down.  I was pushing myself, but wasn’t over-exerting myself.  First 13 miles were 8:54 avg pace.  Mile 14 I started to get tired (9:16).  Mile 15 – 20 were hell.  They were up hill.  Into the wind.  And the sun went behind the clouds.  I wanted to quit.  I wanted to cry.  I whined.  And dropped F-bombs.  I was out of fluid/gels at mile 14.  My paces for my last six miles were in the 10:00’s and even one mile was 11:17.  Grrrrr.  If I had been near my car I would have quit.  But I finished.  Whew!  Now it’s time to lay my butt on the couch for the rest of the day!

Little Rock Marathon  Training, week #7

Miles Run: 61.6 miles; Biking: 60 minutes; Weights: 2 times; Pilates 3 times

• M: 12.1 miles (9:40); biking 20 minutes; weights
• T: 6.4 miles (9:32; hills on TM); pilates (abs, buns & thighs)
• W: 12.1 miles (9:14; a bit hilly); pilates (advanced)
• Th: biking 40 minutes; weights
• F:  7 miles (8:38; on TM with random speed, hills and 3 miles of downhills)
• Sa: 4 miles (9:54)
• Su: pilates (abs); 20 hilly miles (9:26, with 1st 14 at 8:54)