New Zealand Training Update Weeks 11-13

Hi Friends! I can't believe another 3 weeks have gone by and I am now in my final block of training. Here is what I've been up the past few weeks.

Thoughts:

I am doing better about taking care of my body! I have taken rest days, done more core work, and made it to at least one yoga class a week.

I am so impressed with myself that I managed to get in all my scheduled runs and meet my total mileage during these weeks because the weather was terrible! We had a legit blizzard and several other serious storms so running outside has been very difficult, if not impossible.

That said, I am starting to burn out on the treadmill and am already done with the indoor track. So this week, which is an off week with no long run, I am cutting myself some slack and not worrying at all about mileage. I'll get to the gym or the pool and get in a couple runs, but I am not going to stress. I have the fitness. It is very safe to run outside right now and I don't want to get hurt!

I realized how important fueling is, and how well I have been fueling this cycle, when I totally skipped fuel on Sunday's 16 miler. I was dragging during those final 3 miles after the 10 mile race.

We are going to New Zealand so soon!! I am starting to worry about the temps during the race since they will be significantly higher than what I've been training in. It was 15 this morning and that felt tropical! I am afraid 80 is going to fry me.

What's up with you lately? Is the snow and cold messing with your plans?

New Zealand Training Update Weeks 9-11

Time has gotten away from me and I am a week behind. But better late than never right?

Changes/Thoughts/Observations

• Originally I had planned to do 3 weeks build and 1 cut-back week. But, I could feel myself burning out physically and mentally so I changed it to 2 weeks build and 1 week cut-back week.
• What a difference a week makes. I did my 14 miler on the trail 2 weeks ago. There was no snow and it felt great! This week the roads were so snowy and icy. I was battling traffic and terrible footing. It felt like 30 miles.
• After a mild December, winter has arrived with a vengeance. In addition to the snow/ice, this week I also battled extreme cold. I wimped out and went to the treadmill one day and the indoor track another, but hate them both so headed outside on the third day. I think I officially set a record for most layers worn on a run ever.
• I also hit the point of wondering why on earth I continue to put myself through this. I had a long stressful week, wasn't feeling good, and the weather was so crappy. I was so wishing I could just stay in bed in my pj's all day Saturday instead of doing a long run. I must admit I totally let myself entertain the fantasies of all the ways my life would be better if I just ran the half.

The Numbers

Week

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Total Run

7

Run 3.2, Kickbox 45m, Strength

Run 7

XT 1 hr

Run 7 + 7

Swim 1 mile

Metabolic 45m Run 3.3

Metabolic 45, Run 3.3

31.3

8

Run 6

Spin 1hr, Strength

Metabolic 1 hr

Run 6

Run 6 Track

Run 6, strength

Metabolic 45, XT 30

24.8

9

Run7

Run 6

Metabolic 1 hr

Run14

Swim 1 mile

Metabolic 45m Run 4

Metabolic 45, XT 30

30.72

10

Run 6

Run 6

XT 1 hr

Run 5.5

Metabolic 45, XT 30

Run 15.5

Metabolic 45, Run 3

32.7