three weeks

I think it’s safe to say that I have recovered from MCM.  These next three weeks are about enjoying easy runs, not tracking my mileage like a maniac, concentrating on Pilates and strength training and gearing myself up for my next training cycle as I prepare for Marathon Number 9 – Rock n Roll USA.  Let me tell you, it is going to be a biggie!

Before I dive into my next training cycle (which begins on December 4th) I want to take a moment to reflect on some of the really great aspects of my MCM training:

• PRs ~ I set new PRs with every single race that I ran!  This is just so awesome to me.  I did a few 5ks (improving my PR in that distance by more than 2 minutes), a 10k (a 3 minute PR), a half marathon and two marathons.  My Half Marathon PR was a 13 minute PR and my marathon PRs combined left me with more than a 54 minute PR.  My heart is proud and grateful.  The only limits I have are those that I place upon myself!! 

Crossing the finish line at the VA Beach RnR Half Marathon. New PR of 1:43:02

• Speed Work ~ For the first time ever, I incorporated regular speed work into my training.  It paid off in major ways and I enjoyed it more than I can describe, but more than that those early mornings spent running around in circles were some of the most beautiful moments I have ever experienced as a runner.  I miss it.

• Being Coached ~ Another first in my running career: I was coached!  I participated in the =PR= Distance Training Program and I really believe I could not have made a better decision.  If you ask me, Coach Caitlyn is the bee’s knees.  She is smart, she really cares about each and every person she coaches – celebrating all of our accomplishments, advising us when we were unsure of ourselves, picking us up when we felt down or were struggling with injury – she is a natural at the coaching thing and I was grateful and honored to be coached by her.  When I joined the group in June I remember telling her that I would PR this year.  I told her on that balmy June morning that I would get a solid 25 minute PR in the marathon come October (I was shooting for 4:10 at the time) and I could tell she thought my goal was a lofty one especially as a nursing mother of three, but she believed in me anyway.  As training progressed and my body was responding so well she encouraged me to dream bigger, but to still be smart.  Coming away from this training with a 3:41:56 marathon time – close to an hour faster than my prior PR – is just summed up with one word ~ incredible.  I know I did the work but I truly believe that the support and encouragement of Coach Caitlyn and Coach Adam and also all of my “teammates” in the group – was just as important to my success as the hard work I put in to get there.  I cannot imagine training without these guys.  They are my posse, my friends, my people.  I am so proud and thankful for each one of them and cannot wait to run together again.

• Strong Core ~ I was very dedicated to strength training and Pilates throughout my training cycle. I can’t tell you how important this was for my running as well as for my mothering!  Strengthening my core, especially after having a baby, has been seriously hard work.  After hurting my back in the spring I swore I would make Pilates and strength training a regular part of my life’s routine whether or not I am training for a race.  How you move is extremely important in life whether you are a runner or not.  A healthy spine is imperative to living an active happy life!  I don’t sweat it out in a Pilates class – that is not what Pilates is about.  Pilates is about how we function in life.  How we carry and care for our bodies.  I want to live a long and active life and Pilates will ensure that I feel good in my body for a long long time.  It is something I will make time to do each and every day.  I believe the quality of my life depends on it.