(G) The last two training weeks were not what I hoped for. I didn’t get the chance to be eaten by a gator, swallowed whole by a python or chased by a Florida panther. I know, so disappointing.

Part of the training week involved driving home from Florida, and nothing says hard-core endurance training like sitting on your backside for hours on end. I was able to salvage the early part of the week with a treadmill run at the hotel after 11.5-hour drive from Florida to Knoxville.

Thursday was my first full day home so I got in 6 miles and the serious training re-entry Saturday was a mixture of relief and pain. 24 miles after a disjointed 10 days of training will show you what you’re made of and then shred it. The run may have eaten my lunch but I feel good to be back on track.

I wrapped up the week with a 10-miler on Sunday and while difficult it’s a surreal feeling to get to the point where you think “Oh, it’s only 10 miles, I can drag myself through that if I have to.”

Having less than 2 months to train, and recent disappointment still fresh, is bound to create focus and determination. It has for me. It’s Go Time.

Mary had her own share of “learning experiences” this week:

“13 miles done. One day I will have a long run where all cylinders are firing at once. Today was not that day. Ran to mile 9, then was suddenly starving. Shaky hungry but nauseous at the same time. So weird. Of course I had nothing with me! Add to that the @#$# hilly area I was in, and I was struggling.”

“15 miles in 3:07. Much better today. Took orange Powerade with me, which leaked out of my water bottle as I ran so my hands were bright orange and sticky when I finished. Also took 2 clementines and I ate a few slices every couple of miles starting about mile 8.”

Now you know why we call her speedy!

(L) Let’s just say that some weeks I need more than Powerade or a bag of clementines to get me through.  To say that I am tired of the snow, freezing temperatures and the wind is an understatement.  I am also very sick of the treadmill.  So, on Saturday afternoon I decided I didn’t care how cold, snowy or windy it was, I was going to the trail.  Heading north on the trail was great, not too cold (even though it was 18) and I liked being out there with a little light snow.

The way back was another story… 

The wind was in my face, the snow was in my face and I could no longer feel my legs.  So, after 6.5 miles I drove home and ran on the treadmill.  Looking forward to the week ahead with a forecast of sunshine and 40s/50s all week!

Now if I can just stop having dreams about the 40 for 50.  I was reading the course description and I saw that there will be an elevation gain of 400 feet.  So in my slumber I dreamt that we had an elevation gain the size of Mt. Everest each and every mile!  You can imagine my relief when I awoke and realized it was just a NIGHTMARE!!

Here’s to a week of high mileage, high energy, sunshine, warm temps and very little torture.

8 weeks and counting….

Sunshine & Sarcasm,

Lowi & G

Tuesday’s weekly Torture Report is designed to keep all of you posted on the insanity of training for a race to celebrate G’s 40th birthday. The goal is 50 miles but we’ll see how it goes. To find out more on how this plan was set in motion, check out Lowi’s blog. If you missed the last Torture Report, check it out here.