4 Weeks to Marathon!

Crazy long run last Saturday. We ran in sub-freezing temps with the wind in our face over half the time.  Our original plan was to stay on the river trail the whole time but we ended up on the trail only 2/3 of the time because the wind was so strong. We were literally pushing through the strong winds and I couldn't help but think, "As if 18 miles isn't going to be hard enough! Geesh!"  So, we went 6 miles out and 6 miles back (the wind at our backs was heavenly) and then went a 6 mile loop that circles our house.  That was my brilliant idea. It wasn't until mile 15 that we figured that the last 3 miles were going to be incredibly windy.  The river trail funnels wind in a terrible way but this was even worse!  We probably would've been better off on the trail the whole way but by the end of this run we were just glad to be done. No coulda', shoulda', woulda'.  We did 18 miles! It was ugly but it was done!

As much as I love running outside, I am beginning to have a new appreciation for the treadmill. You don't have to wear 4 layers of clothing. No running with water in hand or hydration belt flopping along with you. No chapped lips or frozen face. (I seriously couldn't feel my face after that run. I talked like I had just had dental surgery for the first 10 min. after I got home.)  No checking my pace.  A TV perched right up on the wall to keep my brain occupied. Sometimes a treadmill can be a girl's best friend! We do need to get ours fixed, though. I can run on it fine but it slips when I'm walking. Or if you're my husband, all 215 manly pounds of him, you slip every time you get on. It just can't handle him anymore.  Poor, tired treadmill. You really need a tune-up.

Anyway, this week is an easy one. Just 3 runs. Yesterday, I ran 6 miles-moderate pace. Tomorrow, I'll do my tempo run and then a long (8-mile) run on Saturday. I've pretty much nixed my cross-training lately because of all the holiday stuff I'm trying to get caught up on.  Why is it that shopping when you "have to" instead of when you "want to" just sucks all the fun out of it?!