Week 14 - Carving the Turkey, Carving Out TIme

This was Thanksgiving week, and I knew it would put my training to the test.  Would I have time to fit my runs in?  Would I feel guilty taking time away from my family, who I don't see all that often?  Would I be able to pull myself away from the Fa-la-la-la-Lifetime cheesy movies?  Happy to say I got my runs in- but it wasn't easy.  I've learned that when the pumpkin pie and the couch are calling, it takes a lot more dedication than usual to lace up the Asics. 

In NYC on Tuesday, I did a typical 30-minute run in Central Park.  I wanted to do some speed work at the end, but my right knee had a slight twinge so I backed off and just had an easy day.

I travelled down to see the family in the Deep South (of NJ) on Wed night.  I was trying to talk my mom and husband into running a 5K Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning.  Given that the weather was rainy, 40 degrees, and we weren't even going to bed until after 1 AM, they looked at me like I had three heads when I suggested the 8 AM race on the boardwalk.  So the turtle reluctantly did a run on her own.  While the rest of my family slept, I just did a quick 3-mile run around the development.

The old 'hood looked really different now that I'm running it.  Or now that I'm an adult.  Or both. 

The good news is, by 9AM I was already showered and watching the balloons go down Central Park West on TV.  And then then rest of the day, I ate.  Guilt free!  I love the running to guilt-free eating ratio, although I probably severely overestimated it on Thanksgiving.  Hey, it's the holidays.

I was super proud of myself on Saturday.  I actually got my "long run" of 7 miles in!  I really didn't feel like doing it, but once I got going it flew by.  Once again, enjoyed Gordon's podcast.  Listened to a GREAT old episode in which he interviewed a frequent Disney marathoner.  It was so cool to hear a breakdown of the race mile-by-mile, and tips on what to expect.  It won't be long now!

Overall it was a decent week, although not my best for motivation and time. I didn't get any cross training in while in NJ, unless you count lugging the fake nine-foot Christmas tree and about 40 oversized plastic crates down from the attic to help my mom decorate. But I guess fitting the training into your life (even during holidays and vacations) is all part of the game.  Plus, I got a sneak peek into how difficult it might be to find the time and energy to get my runs in over Christmas vacation...but by then I'll be tapering. What a delightful word.

Sarathon or bust!