(G) This was my last big week of training before the taper (aka happy time) begins.

I got some good mileage in during the week but as Johnny Armani so accurately diagnosed — I am bored. My training has gone on a bit too long and it’s time for the taper down. I have spent countless hours running since November 1, 2013. Many of them alone, thankfully some not. It’s taken a lot to get here and now I am really looking forward to the rest-up easy miles before the race.

Don’t let this Sunshine Attitude fool you. This week didn’t come without some work. I ran 12 miles on Saturday and 20 on Sunday. Saturday went off without too much fanfare. And we got the opportunity to get some inspiration in Saturday by visiting the race site of 1 Day for the KIA, which benefits the Living Legacy Scholarship, helping children and siblings of Fallen Service members obtain higher education.

The 24-hour event was hosted on The Oval at The Ohio State University. Go Bucks!!! (L&G are OSU grads). These tough cookies were cranking it out for an entire day and on concrete no less. Thankfully our 24-hour will be on the trail, which is 10x more forgiving than concrete.

At 9 am Sunday morning when the race wrapped, Matthew Garrod had completed 116.1 miles. Needless to say, we are not accomplishing anything like this.

Take a look at some of the good efforts.

 

My 20-miler on Sunday was great in the respect that I was outside and had a running buddy to keep me company. It was tough because I just didn’t want to do it. At mile 6, I would have gladly called it a day. But as he always does, Johnny Armani cajoled me into continuing and pretty soon I was back in the groove. And the taper begins …

(L) As is usually the case, G wrote her portion of the torture report before me.  I have to say after reading this I feel like I have been on a continuous taper this entire training compared to her.  The lack of clean clothes, food and a path to walk through the house is starting to catch up with me, too.  When my husband comes home and asks me what I did today he doesn’t seem impressed that I spent several hours running, took a shower and did some laundry.  I, on the other hand, am always glad I finished that much before the kids arrived home!

I did manage to rack up some miles this week doing 8 and 5 miles most days.  I intended to do my last long run of 18-20, but the weather did not cooperate on the days I had a chunk of time to do it.  It is snowing again in Colorado and quite frankly I am just not in the mood to suck it up and put on the warm clothes.  So, today will be shorter and on the treadmill…again.  The good news is that the remainder of this week looks sunny and warm. Hallelujah!

I also want to give a shout out to my friend, Tammy Wuerth who just completed the R2R2R in the Grand Canyon.  Way to go Tammy!  I want to thank her for giving me the mental boost I needed this week when lamenting my training.  She told me to remember that, “so much of it is done from your mind.”  I know most of you are thinking I am not in my right mind anyway, but it made me feel better.  I have been telling myself I can do anything for 24 hours (hopefully much less) and her statement just cemented that in my psyche.

3 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.