Better late than never...

My dad received his joint father's day/birthday present from my sister and I today in the mail. He received all of his favorite fruits (both dried and fresh) in a nice little package today unexpectedly! I get there tomorrow night, so I'm crossing my fingers that he'll let his two favorite daughters try a bite of the California Mission Figs that were in that tightly packed box! Although he received this two weeks after his birthday and two days after Father's Day, it's better late than never...and let's be honest, his best present of all will be a visit from three of his children this weekend! I'm looking forward to the food that my mom is going to be feeding us!

In anticipation of my weekend in Carbondale, the heart of SO ILL, I worked out this morning by myself. It was rather peaceful and also happened to be the first time that I had worked out on my own in quite some time. I did a simple little fartlek of sorts - 5-5-4-3-2-1 - with half rest of what you just ran. Indeed, it went quite well most likely because I wasn't timing it. I wanted to just get out there and enjoy the workout in the humid morning air. I'm in the middle of a down week, making it actually very important since it helps keep my mind and body fresh, ready to peak in October. If I don't find time to work out this weekend while I'm at home, it will probably be for the best...to give my legs a fresh start for next week.

Tomorrow the high is supposed to be 96...the hottest temperature this summer. I'm hypothesizing that this summer is going to be a brutal one. By the time fall comes around, we'll all be tough as nails.

Regeneration Vacation Bliss

After Cherry Blossom, I turned down the volume substantially in order to recuperate and prepare for the next 24 weeks of marathon training. My best practices for a down week? To ignore that incessant alarm, run in the evenings, erase workouts, and jet off to LA for a quick romp with my sister. The cherry on top? Eat fine vegan cuisine, including one scrumptious vegan red velvelt cupcake.

Who knew that running 40-50 miles in a week would practically feel like nothing? It took so much less time than running 60-70 miles a week so my body almost feels like it got new limbs! Not to mention, my mind got that much needed break from the daily grind. I enjoyed doing things that I don't typically have time to do, including finishing two books (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played with Fire, anxiously awaiting the third in the series!), watching four movies with my sister, kitty-proofing my box spring, and drinking homemade margaritas.

This week I'll be running 55 miles a week and I'm hoping that it feels as simple as 50 miles did last week. Starting the week of May 10, I'll be running about 70 miles a week again to start my first phase of marathon training for Twin Cities. In August, I won't be bragging about how much free time I have any more because that's when the legit marathon workouts start, in which my mileage will be peaking around 80-85. Until then, I'll continue to enjoy the 50-Miles-A-Week bliss.