A wrap on the big training miles that is. This finishes up week 13 of my training plan for the Glass City Marathon (April 27th). Only 3 more weeks to go! This was also my top mileage week. I ran 45 miles and ran my longest training run of the cycle. It’s taper time now! I’m feeling pretty good and now have a plan for the race… my husband will be running with me. Yep, that’s the plan! No time goal, just go out and have fun/get it done. He has been injured for several weeks but is feeling good enough to join me. I am happy to have a race partner! Here’s what went down this week….
Mon – 9 miles, with pace miles. The run was pretty good. My path looked so pretty as everything was starting to turn green! Lots of birds chirping too.
This run was needed for the busy day ahead. It was one of those days in which you need to count your blessings. First, three hours was spent getting our taxes done! We have always done our own taxes but this year was a big mess and I needed some guidance. Blessing – I have a job and money! Next, it was the visitation and funeral of my uncle. Blessing – I got to spend time with my extended family which includes cousins, aunts, and others. Here are some beautiful flowers that Alan gave me this week . Very thoughtful ❤️
Also going on today, I noticed the kittens have started to lose all interest in food and indeed they have lost weight since we got them! It was gradual, but now very noticeable. Alan took the kittens back to the Humane Society and we found out they indeed are sick. Giardia! Eww. They were put on meds. Blessing – problem identified and action taken, kittens back on track. At night we went to a delicious dinner… this Parmesan crusted chicken was so yummy, but the green beans were even better!! Must find that recipe.
Tues – 6 easy miles. A nice sunny day! My legs were feeling a bit tired, but the run went well enough. Today my uncle was buried and we had a ceremony at the cemetery. Afterwards we all went out for lunch which was nice.
Weds – Rest day. I woke up too early this morning, so I used the elliptical and I did PT exercises before work. Gold star for me today!
Thurs – 6 miles, with some fartleks. When I saw it was 64 degrees outside, I decided to go out in the dark! It had been storming all night so I was happy to see it was clear out. And then the excitement began! I was taking a shower, getting ready for work and the power went out at 7:15am! It was still dark in the house (and pitch black in the shower) so thankfully I still had my running light to help me out. I threw my makeup and hair flat iron in a bag and went to work to finish up. Glad I didn’t wash my hair today or that would have been a mess! The power didn’t come back on until 4pm.
Fri – 4 easy miles. I made it to the gym again today (twice this week, wohoo!). Hydrating and carb loading was on the plan for today to prep for Saturday’s run.
Sat – 20.5 miles, loooong run! This will be my longest run of the training cycle. I have done a 22 mile run in the past, but not this year! We had an organized long run with the training group although I just ran with Alan and a friend. Look how confident I look at the start! 😉
Gotta give HUGE kudos to Alan for doing this. I mentioned a few weeks ago that he hurt his ankle, then calf and was just injured and janky for the last 5 weeks. He started running again this last week and decided he could knock out this run with me (what an overachiever, right??). Yahoo!! The forecast was for rain the entire run, but luckily it was only rainy for half of this run, which felt pretty good.
This was the spirit rock at a high school we passed by.
Running with these two made me push my pace a littler faster than I have run my long runs, but in the end I felt pretty good. We enjoyed some pancakes and a beer after the run with the others.
Sun – Rest. Hopefully I’ll still be feeling good! Celebratory Hawaiian “McDonald’s” breakfast (Spam, rice, eggs… sooooo good!!) with mimosas. And a trip to the zoo to see the new baby otters!
We were supposed to take the kittens back in a few days, but since they were sick they haven’t gained weight as anticipated. Might be another week! I’m not exactly excited about that because they have been a bit of a challenge (the older kittens are usually the ones in the most mischief or misbehaving). Let’s just say I’ve been doing a lot of laundry and cleaning up messes due to their “accidents”. But look how innocent they look! 🙄
Need some more inspiration? I’m linking up with Deborah at Confessions of a Mother Runner and Kim from Running on the Fly for their Weekly Run Down. Check out all of the fun blogs there!
Q: Does beer sounds like a good drink to enjoy with pancakes??
No, I didn’t think it was a good combo either… but WTH, I just ran 20.5 miles, why not!! LOL
Way to go on your long run. Looks like you are in a great place and ready to taper and tackle your marathon. Hard no to beer and pancakes for me
That beer and pancake combo was not a winner. But I ate the pancakes so fast (starving and needed to refuel!) I really didn’t care what came next 🤣
It sounds like you’ve got a good plan for race day! Some of my husband’s and my favorite marathons were run together with no big focus on the time.
Good job on your long run and you definitely deserved that beer. But since I don’t like beer any time of the day with any type of food, that would be no for me to have it with pancakes for breakfast. LOL
I hope the kittens start gaining weight quickly.
It will be great to have someone on the course with me. I have no records to set at this point!!
Oof! Our dog had giardia when we got her. It took forever to clear up, but we got there.
I think that pancakes and beer is only a combo that only happens after a group long run. With that said – you earned it!
It’s just so weird when a foster kitten goes from scarfing down food to being uninterested in eating. I figured something was going on … and then they started making messes outside the litter box. Ugh! They were barn kittens so I didn’t know if they just weren’t good about using the litter boxes. They still aren’t great about that, but at least they are hungry again!
WOW. So Alan jumped in and ran 20 miles??? I’m impressed. And encouraged! I had to miss a long run this week and it’s good to know that I won’t lose too much fitness. And, you completed the run feeling good- sounds like you’re in great shape for your race.
Hmm, I do like beer and I like pancakes. Maaaaybe not together. And- the poor little kitties! But ick- I’m imagining what these “accidents” entailed and all the cleaning you’re doing. They do look cute and innocent though!
Soooo much litter and poop messes to clean up. Not fun! Hard to believe they go from that to being proper indoor kitties who don’t make messes on the floor, but they do eventually get there.
Alan is definitely feeling quite sore today from that huge jump in miles. So far it’s just normal soreness though and not a feeling of being injured. It hasn’t been anywhere near ideal training for him, but I think taking the race slow (for him) will work out.
Ha, he just came in and ran 20 miles? NBD – that’s amazing! I like both beer and pancakes – but never had them together? I imagine I wouldn’t complain, though!
I think we can all agree that jumping into a 20 mile run unprepared was a risky move, but so far I think it’s been OK for him. The fact that is was the “big event” before Glass City, and we had signed up for it really helped seal the deal that he was going to run.
My first thought on the beer/pancakes combo was EWWWW…totally funny that you left a question about it, LOL. That’s great that Alan is able to be your running buddy for the marathon. That’s a win-win for both of you! Sorry for all the distress this week, especially with your uncle’s passing and the kittens’ illnesses.
That combo of pancakes and beer was an odd combo, but the event was held at a brewery and they needed a spot with a decent amount of parking and indoor space so that’s what ended up. We were supposed to get sausages too, but they ran out before we got there (whomp whomp).
I see nothing wrong with a beer and pancakes, but hey, that’s me! You earned it! How fun that Alan will be running the race with you!
Looks like a nice week for you overall, despite having to go to the funeral. One thing about those, you get to see people you haven’t seen for a while.
Despite the cold weather, we did end up having a very lovely sunny day for the cemetery. It was all a very nice tribute to him.
Alan said we might even stop along the marathon course at the Fireball station that is usually set up. Not sure about that one LOL
Oh my goodness! The poor kittens! Of course, I don’t believe that they’ve been mischievous at all… so there’s that.
And way to go Alan for joining you for that training run! Well done!
I would totally have beer with pancakes after a run. For some reason that sounds amazing.
This training cycle is going so well for you!
I’m kind of surprised I’ve made it this far in the training cycle! Little by little is how the marathon plan gets completed though so here I am. Fingers crossed we both finish with no injuries!!
I was going to ask if the pancakes and beer were at the same place. Crazy things can hit the spot after a long run!
Glad you sorted out what was going on with the kittens — you are so generous as a foster.
It should be no surprise that the fosters always need some sort of medical care, even when they look like they are healthy and started out doing fine! You just never know. They have been very unhappy to get oral meds every day but they are eating like champs again!
Poor kitties. Hope they’re ok.
Good news on the hubby.
And kudos on getting that 20 miler done. Always a relief.
And anything goes after those miles.
The kitties have recovered well. Two of them went back to the shelter today to make their journey to a forever home! The other two still need to gain some weight.
Oh, poor kittens! That they’re misbehaving must be a good sign that they’re doing better?
20 miles! Well done to you and Alan. I’m glad he’s able to run again.
The right beer could go well with pancakes I think!
Maybe a blueberry beer with pancakes? 🙂 Didn’t matter, after 20 miles I’m ready to eat or drink anything!!
Well done on the long run – all ready! Sorry about the giardia, we had that with our cats and the cleaning and disinfecting after treatment was stressful!
We were also trying out some new litter (ground up cedar wood!) which the kittens seemed to dislike after a few days. Things improved after the meds kicked in and the litter was swapped. What a mess!!
Nice work this week, especially on your long run!
And no beer with pancakes for me!