The journey back to 26.2 continues....

Last week was a "step back" week.  I've been running 1 week with higher mileage followed by a week of lower mileage.  This has proved to be a great strategy so far in that I'm getting plenty of recover and I'm feeling great.  I haven't gotten up to my "big miles" yet (over 16 miles), but so far, the "coming back" has been relatively easy.  Even with the summer training, I'm feeling strong.
My mileage last week ended at 21.4 miles.  The week also ended with a 5k on Sunday.  My last 5k was May 27th at the Greek Fest 5k (25:37).  The Sunday race was scheduled for 12:00PM.  We finally had a cool front pass through the Chalmette area, and the 5k is at noon, missing the mornings cool air, urgh!    I warmed up for a 12:00 PM start, and the race started at 12:35.  I didn't bother with warming up again and decide to "just run."  It's not like I've been training for a 5k anyway.   The races in the Chalmette area are typically small,  and with the 12PM start, it was even smaller than usual.  I won the ladies overall female award and was 3rd overall with a time of 24:47.....that's how small it was.   I ran this race 2:12 faster than my time last year at this same race.  I'm really excited about my splits - 8:09, 8:09, 8:07.  The 1st and the 3rd mile was over the Violet bridge, and the rest was flat.  I like to run the occasional 5k as a test of my fitness.  I like to geek out on the McMillan calculator and dream.......To be honest, I'm way ahead of where I expected to be at this point in the game.

 Enjoying the early morning cool air while watching the Chicago marathon.   Love our South LA camp views.  

A few of my favorite "run scenes" from this week.  

This week I will be running 40 miles.  Today I had 7X800 on my path to Yasso's 800s.  You may recall the pics of the rubberized track in St. Bernard, LA.  I couldn't stomach the thought of running the 800s on the asphalt track here in MS (my only option).  So instead of the track I opted for road 800s.  I prefer the "exactness" of the track,  and I like to check my splits along the way, but finding a pretty road location is not a bad option either.  I averaged 4:00 for 800s.  It was cool this morning so the workout was much less taxing than it can be in the heat.  The section of road that I picked has some mild rolling hills.  You may be able to see the slight incline in some of the pics below.  

A home health hospice nurse stopped at 2 houses within my 1/2 stretch of 800s.   It was a not so subtle reminder to do this (run) while I can.

"One day I will no longer be able to do this, today is not that day !"

Today I'm feeling especially lucky and blessed to run for those who can not.  

**7 weeks until St. Jude 26.2

**Sunday I'm running 18 miles - 13.1 at the Gulf Coast Half Marathon, Mandeville, LA  I'm excited to run the first 5 with my cousin from AL. 

#Gratitude 

#doitwhileIcan