Hiatus

I'm taking a hiatus...

Marathon training can leave the body physically drained and mentally exhausted, but training for multiple marathons in a short period of time, can leave the body utterly debilitated.  So much of the training is centered around where to run, how to run, what to run, what to eat, how much to eat, what to drink, how to recover, and so on and so on.... it's exhausting just thinking about it!  For the past three years, I've trained and run about 4 marathons each year and just about now (convenient that it's summer) is when I'm finding myself desperately needing a hiatus from it all.

In celebration of this time off, I've switched up a few items (not that I'm promoting it, just sayin')....peanut M&M's have replaced Accel Gels and Gu's, Mc Donald's Coke has replaced vitamin water and Gatorade, Tostitos and salsa have replaced fruit and veggies (at least there's some in the salsa), and I've just about given up on drinking plain water.  It's sad but true, all health has gone out the window but it's what I need to do in order to keep sane and get geared up for another full year of training.  So, the week of hiatus has begun!!

And running??  Well, that's another story too.  I have this beautiful training plan all written up (took me a few hours to put it together), it was supposed to begin the week after Grandma's marathon.....let's just say I've only completed about 3 of those workouts thus far.  My body is telling me it's done, finished, enough with the eating and training, take a break already.  After a horrible 6 mile run last night where I left most of my dinner along the trail, I've decided to listen and take a step back.  This heat and humidity is atrocious (and it's only going to get worse), my sitter just found a full-time job so I no longer have help, and I actually have 12 1/2 weeks before Twin Cities marathon.  That gives me until Monday to start back up with my plan.  Not much down time, but it's been two weeks since Grandma's and I haven't put much effort into running or eating well since.  I'm NOT ready to sprint anywhere, for any length of time, or for any reason.   That's the reality of where I'm at, I'm cool with it for now.

Monday will be day numero uno of the training calendar.
Schedule:

will work on getting faster at 5K's, breaking 23's each time-

Oct. 2--Twin Cities marathon
Oct. 16--Women's only 1/2 marathon
Nov. 12--Richmond marathon