Friday

I am sore and tired... I am taking this as "I should be" because its the last push before tapper starts (which, is, just, CRAZY!) I feel like I should be doing more, yet I feel incredibly in shape. I don't know when 5 or 6 miles went from being a struggle and aweful, to "a run around the block" but I have gotten there... and I really should maintain this. Not to say it gets easier, I always know that my weakness is getting me out the door, if you can get me out the door, I will go, and I will finish whatever the workout is for the day, b/c after all, I can do it, I just don't like the getting started part. Having Kristen around to recap the day, complain with, and just distract me from the distance we are going always helps too.

The other reason I am feeling it, and feeling it in my core is because of this simple little core strength bit I have added to the no mileage, low mileage, and cross training days...
It isn't much, only about 15 minutes if you do it right (faster if you do it wrong and are impatient, and thus, it becomes less effective) and I am feeling it.

The good thing about these "moves" is that they focus on the deep muscles, the ones that make you feel like you are working out and doing well, because they start to show definition, AND, for some reason I feel like they make me feel smaller in a way, I am tighten up the stability of my body, and once you see those defining back muscles, core abs, you feel and look better... and it becomes easier to carry yourself through the miles and everything else your day holds...

And best part, I can do it laying on the floor, and then move over and lay in bed when I am done... no need to get myself, up, dressed, or out the door... : )

With this sore and tired, tomorrow shall be interesting, plus I am down training partner Kristen(shes going camping), and up a dog, Charlie (Karen is running SOB up in Ashland this weekend, so I am dog sitter)... which bless his heart, will keep me safe from bears in the forest (yes, bearS, plural, I haven't seen them, but Karen and Charlie have)

Although I am running a road race, those trails up the skill level and difficulty of miles and make the road seem fast and smooth and well "easy" in contrast.

I will probably run as much as I can tolerate in the forest, give Charlie a good workout, then drop him off and end whatever is left out around town on the pavement.... oh did I mention tomorrow is an 18 miler?? So pretty much I will be running all over by default... and then a "quick" 7 or 8 on Sunday... then we are through the bulk of the training, that's scary... but exciting, pretty nerve wracking that I will be running 26.2, a full marathon in 15 days....eekkk