Peak Mileage, Last 22 Miler, Unexpected Ice Bath Footage and Bits of Training Stuff

Thankful to have found a friend who can run 22 miles with me, push me to be my best, and then take sly videos of my ice bath for later entertainment (see below)

Training HARD for any goal takes Dedication and TIME.  Towards the end of the long road, it can start to feel like that's all we do, talk about, think about, and focus on.  Training.  Preparing.  Focusing.  But one look around our life usually tells us differently...our children, relationships, volunteer opportunities, jobs, family, game nights, and people who are there to support and encourage us despite the fact that we have less time to spend with them.  Part of making big goals a reality means making those goals a PRIORITY.

I admit, Boston training has taken a lot of my time and energy.  I've structured many of my days around my workouts, gone to bed earlier, used the t.v for my kids WAY more than usual in order to get in a treadmill run, and posted more than PLENTY of running-related pictures and status updates on facebook.   It might seem to some that I have no life outside of running lately.  But gosh, I'm so thankful for those friends and family that GET me and GET my training enough to stick around through all the parts of my life...not just the times where I have the most in common or the most to GIVE to them.

As excited as I am to be nearing the end of this long training cycle, I'm equally happy that I've had the diligence in getting this far.  And I've had fun doing it!  Almost so much that I MIGHT turn into one of those crazy running bloggers that jumps right into another training plan soon after this one is over.  Hey, I said MIGHT.  The idea of an open summer with the occasional Jillian Michael's video to keep my abs and legs looking good coupled with a whatever-kind-of-run-I-feel-like and followed by a cold beer with my husband over dinner sounds WAY more up my alley for summer running plans.

There have been many reasons for why this training cycle has been so enjoyable....friends who have been virtual training partners, my blog and the connection I have with so many of you and the support and encouragement that comes from that, girlfriends (Nicole and Stephanie) to run with, my treadmill, and so much more.  Training has just "clicked" this time around.  And three more weeks to go so here's hoping it keeps on clickity clicking without anything unexpected!

Final PEAK WEEK
73 miles!  I ended this last week with a 22 miler with my good friend Nicole.  That brought me to 73 miles for my highest week of running ever.  That's a great feeling!  The last week went something like this:
Mon:
Off
Tues:
11 miles with an a.m and later a.m run
Wed:
11 miles with 6x1000m on TM @ 1% incline.   All at 6:11 pace except 2nd one at 6:15 pace.  Trying to account for TM vs. road running.
Thurs:
15 miles.  Had to break it up a bit due to schedule with kids.
Fri:
8 miles
Sat:
6 miles recovery
Sunday:
22 miles with Nicole @ 8:00 pace.  Note:  there were a few stops due to peeing, stretching and water/fuel issues but not too worried about that.  Great run to gain confidence and figure out fueling for marathon.  Very hilly course and strong finish.  Last 7 miles:
7:44
7:31
7:30
7:59
7:44
7:44
7:17 YES!

I ran half the 22 in my Brooks Launch and the other half in my Pure Flows.  I think I just might be wearing the Flows for Boston!

As far as fuel, I've decided that the Sports Beans are just too tricky for using and running most efficiently so I will probably use my favorite gel of all time...tastes soooo YUMMY:

Once we got back from our 22 miles, we quickly scarfed down some quinoa/red rice and some citrus Recoverite and then I made my way into my COLD bath for recovery.  Little did I know, Nicole decided that she would take this opportunity to play videographer.  It made for some funny footage that I think many of us might relate to.  And I kept my swearing down too so that's a bonus.   

1.  Do you take ice baths or cold baths for recovery?  I don't use ice because I've read that cold water does just as good for recovery and the ice really isn't necessary.  Works for me.  As you can see from the video, this is painful enough for me.
2.  What kinds of recovery food or drink do you use?
3.  Do you have a good friend to run with?  I always said I run alone.  And I thought that was the way I liked it.  But the past few months have taught me differently.  I've loved having someone to run these long runs with.  Not so sure I'd feel the same about speed workouts with someone else but who knows...I'm changing.
Amanda