Training Tuesday: what's next?

For the past 12-13 weeks, I've used Tuesdays as a day to recap and post my previous week's training. The problem now? I don't really know what's next. I seem to have misplaced my mojo & I don't have any races on the schedule.

This past week, I did a couple good cycle workouts and some strength training, but didn't even run 4 miles total. My shin/calf are still sore and I'm even having issues with my arch (I have an appointment with my doc on Wed). At least the training cycle for the year is over, but I'm afraid of losing all the progress I've made.

I'm toying with running a turkey trot 5k on Thursday & a friend has convinced me to run 6 miles with her Friday night (I'll admit - I'm worried about covering the distance, which is beyond dumb, but she says we can walk and drink spiked hot cocoa, so how was I supposed to turn that down?).

However, in the grand scheme of things, I have no plan. I don't do well without a plan. Do I focus on 5ks for now? 10ks? I looked at the Train Like a Mother 5k Own It plan & holy cow it's intense! This is just the first 3 weeks!


The Run Less, Run Faster 5k plan isn't much friendlier, but at least it's only 3 days a week of running like I'm used to.

I know I need to do something or I'm going to go nuts. Any suggestions?

PS: If you haven't entered my giveaway yet, please go do that.

PSS: It's national Hug a Runner Day (according to Facebook and Twitter - which you know are always right) so go hug your favorite runner today.

Terrific True Confessions Tuesday: Last Day to Enter!

Today is the last day to enter my giveaway for a custom tech shirt from My Race Ragz.  You have until 9:00 PM EST, so click that link and ENTER! I'll be running in my shirt on Sunday - what will you wear for your next race?

Since this is True Confession day, I'm going to confess that I need to not step on the scale until after the marathon.  I'm thinking at least a week after the marathon.  Yesterday morning the bi*ch made me want to cry and I am so much more than a number on a piece of machinery!  I am a 41 year old woman who is going to be running her first marathon in 5 days, dammit!  I've been training my @$$ off since June (well, apparently not LITERALLY) and I should be thrilled with what my body has been capable of.  Gaining a couple pounds during training and taper shouldn't make me freak out.  Now...if they aren't gone within a month AFTER the marathon, then we've got a problem.

Also, I'd like to confess I wish it was Sunday around 1:30 pm so I could stop feeling like I might barf or cry at any given moment.  If you see me in Target this week sobbing, just ignore me.  Yesterday's edition of the Grand Rapids Marathon Newsletter contained some very good advice from marathon director Don Kern.

"EVERYBODY HERE LOVES YOU

So, I said all that to make this point:

RE-FREAKIN'-LAX

You're ready.  You've prepared.  You've trained.  And now, it's time for the fun.  Feel the energy from the people around you.  Find someone wearing a staff jacket and give them a hug.  It's your day now.  Enjoy everything about it. 

Don't stress about parking.  There's plenty.  Don't stress about aid stations.  They're well stocked, and they're ROCKIN'.  Don't stress about portajohns.  We have plenty.  (Some of them look like big blue plastic boxes and have white toilet paper.  Many others look like big plants with woody stems and have various colored toilet paper on them.)

Everybody here loves you.  We're all here to help.  And YOU?  You're gonna be awesome out there."

Yep - waterworks.  I'm trying, Don!  I'm trying to "re-freakin'-lax".

Terrific Tuesday: Another Sponsor - @MitaKay !

Typically, Tuesdays around these parts would be "True Confessions Tuesday", but other than eating enough to fuel my marathon and enjoying the occasional Captain Lime & Diet Coke, I've been pretty good lately. Tomorrow starts my first full day back at work, so I anticipate a lot of chocolate and more Cap't being consumed this week, but we can talk about all that NEXT Tuesday.

Today, I'd like to introduce you to my latest 26.2 sponsor - Melissa!  I "met" Melissa through Shrinking Jeans quite some time ago and I've never looked back.  She has been so encouraging to me on this marathon journey and I appreciate her very much.  She even signed up to Run the 'Hood with the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans and is kicking butt on her c25k training.  Melissa is mom to an adorable little boy and super cute Doxy, plus, we both share a *not so secret* love of Adam Levine :-)  You can find Melissa on twitter as @MitaKay and she blogs over at Bring on the Rain!  Go visit and give Melissa some bloggy love!

Would you like to join my sponsors Ben, Erin, Andrea, Lisa, Ann, the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans and now Melissa in supporting me as I train to finish my first full marathon, the Grand Rapids Marathon?  I have set up a sponsorship page in which you can help me reach my goal of crossing the finish line (sponsorship will help pay for race fees, nutrition/hydration, shoes, etc).  You can click HERE, or click on the tab above.  I would love and appreciate any support you can give me.  Bloggy and linky love will follow, as well as the ability to sponsor individual miles and run "with" me on October 16th.  I cherish all the love and support my readers have given me this year.  I wouldn't be attempting this race without you.