I haven't updated in a bit, so I need to catch up! I had my peak week/7 straight days of running and didn't miss anything! Now I'm slowly descending into taper madness.
December 18 - December 30
December 18 - HM tempo
4.55 miles, 1:02:16, avg pace 13:40.
Interval 1 - 12:28
Interval 2 - 12:41
Interval 3 - 12:59
Interval 4 - 6:39 (13:14 avg pace)
My notes say "this was hard!" It was in the 60s, so sweaty again. My knee felt okay.
December 19 - 4 miles easy
4.06 miles, 58:25, avg pace 14:23
My knee hurt at the start but felt better the longer I ran.
December 20 - 3 miles easy
3.15 miles, 46:13, avg page 14:39
No notes.
December 21 - 1.5 hours easy
6.09 miles, 1:30:37, avg pace 14:53
Practiced running with my marathon skirt!
December 22 - 3 hours easy
12:05 miles, 3:00:05, 14:57 avg pace
My longest run time-wise this training cycle (by two minutes!).
My notes say "Ow my body." I fueled with my normal routine and everything was fine. I did have to stop and pee at mile 9.
December 23 - 4 miles easy
4 miles, 1:01:27, avg pace 15:22
I did this run on the treadmill, hence the lower average pace. I was SO sore and did NOT want to run, so I sucked it up and jumped on the treadmill to watch the first part of Love Actually. (I finished while working.)
December 24 - 3 miles easy
3 miles, 46:56, avg pace 15:39
On the treadmill again. Went nice and slow. Walked a bit of the last mile. I was so tired and sore. But I did it. 7 straight days of running!
Thankfully, by this time, my knee had stopped bothering me! (Now it's back to my usual calves and shins, which thankfully are easier to stretch.)
December 25 - rest
YES. PLEASE. AND FOOD.
December 26 - HM tempo run
4.53 miles, 1:00:17, 13:19 avg pace
Interval 1 - 13:05
Interval 2 - 12:33
Interval 3 - 12:34
Interval 4 - 6:07 (avg pace 12:16)
I guess I warmed up after that first run interval!

I don't remember the circumstances, but I was probably just stiff and still slightly sore. Tested out my new shoes I got for Christmas, as well as some other new gear!
December 27 -
3 miles easy rest
Was supposed to run this day, but skipped due to extenuating circumstances.
December 28 -
rest 3 miles easy
Moved yesterday's run to this day.
3.01 miles, 44:36, avg pace 14:50
December 29 - 2 hours easy
My last long run of the training cycle!
8 miles, 1:56:28, 14:33 avg pace.
Decided not to run the extra 4:30 to get to an even 2 hours. Figured 8 miles was enough.
Following my regular fueling plan, but also had my husband meet me outside after about 70 minutes to hand me a banana. I eat bananas pre-run sometimes so I know they're okay on my stomach, but I wanted to test out eating one during the run. It was fine, and a nice snack! I'll definitely be taking them on the marathon course.
I wore my Crowned Athletics black bra, which I've worn before while running, but wanted to test it out for the marathon. It felt really comfortable and supportive so I'm going to use that as part of my marathon sports bra.
Overall, I felt great during this run. I was still sore and tired, but I listened to a new playlist and it made the time go by super fast. Some of my miles were under 14 minutes and I deliberately slowed down the last mile.
December 30 - 3 miles easy
3.02 miles, 46:47, avg pace 15:39
My calves are super sore, so I used :15/:30 intervals and went super slow and easy. I need to stretch like crazy today and tomorrow!
I was supposed to do 4 miles tomorrow, but I think I'm going to move it to Wednesday. We're not staying out super late for NYE, and I don't have to work NYD, so I figured running that day would be easy.
And that's it! Now I have to just stay healthy for the next 12 days and not get injured, and not freak out. Easy, right?
