25 and Counting

Today begins a new year for me: turned 25! I hope to continue running, post marathon, and truly love being a runner! 

Pictures from this morning's birthday run :) One of my favorite parts of the city and what attracted me to running in the first place: Chicago's Lakefront Trail

I'm done skipping runs.

Last weekend I was in Colorado-I was supposed to run 10 miles, but slacker me only did 8 :/  So I wouldn't have to run by myself my dad rode his bike next to me, which was a different but nice way of spending quality time with him :) I loved running towards a view of mountains, they are so amazing. I've always said if Chicago had mountains to the west of the city, I would never leave. 

I followed that weekend up with NO MIDWEEK RUNS-I don't know what I was doing or thinking, but obviously, running slipped my mind? I was so nervous going into our 15 mile run this weekend, but having the group truly helped and wasn't bad at all. I know that continuing to skip midweek runs won't do me any good and I need to work a little bit harder. Only 55 more days left to the marathon, I need to redirect my focus on putting in the time and effort to this training; the more I put in- the easier that Sunday will be!

This weeks schedule:

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: 4 miles

Wednesday: 8 miles

Thursday: 5 miles

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 16 miles

Sunday: Cross

Half Way Point

Week 9 is almost done and we're half way to our marathon date! After this week I feel like 26.2 miles will be the death of me! I went out on my 7 mile run yesterday and I felt horrible! The past 2 weeks I've ran 13 miles on the weekend and they have been great, but wow was that 7 was hard! ha This weekend I'll finish the week out in Colorado and thankfully it is our cut back week so I should be able to get 10 miles in on my own . . . and honestly I planned this trip around training so I wouldn't have to do 15 or 18 miles on my own :/

During my commutes I've started to read Born to Run by Christopher McDougall:

I'm really enjoying it so far; one quote that stood out to me was: "The only way to truly conquer something, as every great philosopher and geneticist will tell you, is to love it"-- I do enjoy running, some days, but I would love to find a love for running. Maybe it is something that I can work at? I'd love to conquer this marathon and feel great after and continue running for years to come!