Two Weeks Out ...

Can't write too much tonight - the Yanks are on and my attention on any one thing will be non-existent.

The day after my long run I kept out of my running shoes and enjoyed a travel day to Ohio and a great visit with my little sister and many other family members. We went to Ohio University to catch one of Tay's field hockey games. Two of my other sisters, Meg and Kate, wanted to go for a run the next day and so I joined them. We explored the OU campus, weaving around the athletic fields, going through downtown and outlining the campus. What a beautiful run - especially as the leaves are turning into warm autumn colors. It was a relaxing 40-minute run and really served as a good recovery run after my 15-miler from Friday.

This week has been pretty low-key for me so far. Monday, as usual, was my elliptical day. The book, Women Who Run, had kept me occupied for a majority of the 30-minute workout. I'm borrowing it for now but it's a book comprised of many short stories, all different, about an array of different experiences from, yup - you guessed it, women who run. The two that stuck out to me most recently was of a women who was diagnosed with epilepsy and when no other medicine would really work - running became her medicine. It was the only escape she had to alleviate some of the hardship in having that type of disorder. The other story revolved around how Lance Armstrong's ex-wife, and now a Runner's World contributor, got into a relationship with running. Her friends suggested she partake in some weekend runs, which became a regular routine after awhile. It acted as a release as she dealt with her divorce and the media. She ventured into marathon and trail running and has made it her passion ... along with her role as a mother. Very brief summaries but I definitely recommend it.

Tuesday called for rain, overcast and five to six miles. Got the rain, got plenty of overcast and was oh-so-close to five. Actually - I ended up getting in four. The day had worn me out so it was one of those forced runs. When I finally got the guts to hit the road I hit the gas and really pushed my tempo. My GPS watch had run out of battery so I can't tell you how fast but I know I was flying. Today was an absolutely beautiful 75-degree day, just perfect weather. My schedule called for three to four miles today. Squeezing in three and some change was a bit like the day before ... forced, but very fast.

One more long run and then the big race! I had planned on running 11 this weekend but I was advised to rethink that. Apparently the rule of thumb is that for each mile you run on a long run you need that many days to recover. I think I will run seven or eight but no more than eight. Eager doesn't even begin to describe how I'm starting to feel since the race is getting so close! :-) I'm most surprised that I am pretty much done with training. Yeah there were some rough long runs, forced training nights and your basic aches and pains but all in all, it's been an enjoyable experience.