25 mile weekend

Wow, miles are really adding up fast and Saturday was no exception! Saturday morning I woke up planning on dressing in my "street clothes" and just joining the crew for coffee, I already hit 45 miles for the week and my plan only called for 32 so there was no shame in my mind in taking a rest day for the Sunday long run. Unfortunately for me once again my legs had another plan. They started by first sneaking the thought into my head, "just run a slow mile early".  Well by the time I finished the thought I was laced up and standing at OMB a half hour early, my legs really have a way of tricking me but I'll get more into that another time.

 So I cranked out 3.5, running down the upcoming Opening Doors 5K route on Clarke drive, the route was slushy and covered with ice so I was glad to be wearing my backup Virrata's as to save my good shoes for the Sunday long run. Distracted by the thoughts of racing, by the time I got back to the coffee shop the idea of a rest day was left miles behind. I had a great run with the crew, Shannon and I broke off early at 3 miles to total six and he was kind enough to join me for an extra 1/2 mile at the end to round off a great 10 mile morning and a 55 mile week!

 Sunday turned out to be another great run, Bill designed a 15 mile "surprise" route to keep it interesting and it sure was! I was crazy nervous going into this run, as previously described about I had just rounded off a 55 mile week and was feeling good but had a few minor aches and pains going, I believe these are mainly stemming from the 1 mile race Friday night. I was a little stiff for the first few miles but overall felt great... the route was awesome and took us from the west to the north, south side of town and back. Sunday runs have become my favorite, as the distances increase we get to see such awesome parts of the city, especially since we've increased elevation... when hills are no obstacle I can't think of many other places to run with such great views! It was all together an awesome run on another beautiful Sunday with the sun shining down.

So in closing, while I'm very happy with the way my body has handled another heavy week, I am kicking myself a little knowing that my excitement about marathon training caused me to run at a nearly 20% increase this week, I really should know better. I will not get too down on myself though, I had a great week of running and feel good so no harm done and lesson (hopefully) learned. I am super excited to race the Gaelic Gallop next weekend and look forward to another fun week of training ahead!