FVM BQ or BUST Week 13

ONE WEEK TO GO! Where has time gone... no really WHERE HAS TIME GONE? Feels like yesterday I was reaching out to Coach Britt again about designing a 14 week plan once again for Fox Valley. Now here I sit, one week to go and in relatively good health. My ITB is feeling a little tight.

Monday- Easy 5

Tuesday- REST/ Date night with CB!

While we were walking through Grant Park I noticed that the Chicago Marathon banners were starting to get posted. YIKES. 4 weeks to go until my 3rd Chicago Marathon! If all goes according to plan in Fox Valley next week, I'll run Chicago with L again- and it will be my "victory lap."
Wednesday- Speed. 2x3 miles at 7:18 pace.  + Strength

This workout surprised me once again- my 5k PR pace is only 10 seconds a mile faster than 7:18- so to be able to run that 2 times, and still have gas in the tank speaks volumes of how my fitness has progressed.

After these 3 marathons i'll be doing in a span of 7 weeks (Fox Valley, Chicago, Naperville), I hope to still be in good health and knock off some major PRs in both the 5k and half marathon before winter has Chicago in its icy grip for a few months.

Thursday- Easy 5 + Strength

Not much to see here, just some easy recovery miles followed by my little strength routine.
Friday- 7 Miles + 6x20 second pickups. 59:00

Saturday- 12 miles, with 10 @ Goal Marathon Pace. 1:36

The weather was crisp and cool and all I could think of was "man, my quads are still sore from all the strength stuff I've done this week."  Oh yeah, and the fact that it was hovering around 50 degrees with a low dew point. And all I could really think was "I HOPE IT'S LIKE THIS NEXT WEEK! OR COOLER!!!"

I ran the first mile with L and then hit the gas. This workout went so quick. I dont run with music outside but people watch instead. I noticed so many people broke out the leggings and jackets this morning with the cooler temps, only to overheat and tie the jackets around their waist. It was a bit chilly at the start- I had a light tank and shorts on but quickly warmed up after a mile. My hands stayed freezing for longer and I might look into buying a pair of throwaway gloves for next week.

Later on post 12 miler...

I went to Fleet Feet where Newton was sponsoring a clinic with Bart Yasso and Paula Newby Fraser. Hearing both of them talk about some of their experiences almost made me cry. YAY Taper emotions! I also ran into Chris who recognized me.

We also did some running form drills led by the Newton rep for Chicago. The main point was to not mimic how Meb or Ryan Hall look while running, but to figure out our own most efficient way to run. They also had us do drills to demonstrate how looking down or up while running negatively affects our posture, how over striding is very inefficient (try to balance while on your heel- you will fall backwards), and also answered questions from the group. I was very happy I went to hear them both speak- and in our goody bag we each received a copy of Bart's book "My Life on the Run."  YAY now I have something inspiring to read this week!
"Never limit where running can take you." is what Bart signed in each of our copies.

I'd say this was a wonderful end to the week. Tomorrow i'll take CB for a walk and once again visualize how Fox Valley will go down one week from tomorrow.


- xaar