Less than 40 days until I begin my MS Run The US relay segment! The Relay began on Saturday in LA and runner #1, Amy, kicked it off! It really is so amazing how there are 18 of us running our own segment and we're all connected by fundraising $10,000 for MS and running 150 miles (on average) over 6 days (on average). It's been such a great experience to get to e-meet other runners participating in the relay (or previously participated in it). This small community is so supportive. I cut-back my mileage a bit this last week (as I'm officially 'tapering' --> hovering around 55 miles) as I'm running the Salt Lake City Marathon next Saturday (April 21st). I'm still not 100% certain of my goals for the marathon, but I think I'm just going to use it more as a training run and to have FUN and run through the city! I ran 52.4 miles last week (originally planned to run 56 miles) and am listening to my body during each run. If I'm feeling good, then I'll go to my planned mileage for that day or if I feel like I've met my limit for that day I'm good. At this point for the next 40 days, it's more about keeping injuries at bay (still getting in my mileage) and keeping up with strength training/ foam rolling/ icing/ epsom salt baths. 

Monday: 1.5 warm-up; 4 x 1.5 mile repeats @ 8:00-8:10 w/ 800R between sets (actual: 8:18; 8:13; .55 @ 8:12; did not do the last set); 1.0 cool-down. 7.10 miles. I ran out of time and felt sluggish from peak week the last week. Rather than push myself to sub-par paces, I cut it short and got to work on time. 

Tuesday: 6 miles easy @ 9:58 & 30 minutes of strength training at night

Wednesday: 10.15 miles easy @ 10:30 & 45 minute Pilates class at lunch. First trail run of the year! I did some serious post-holing in the first 2 miles of my run and had a difficult time following the trail for a section, so pace slowed down quite a bit, but it felt SO NICE to be back on the trails and doing a new route for once. Also slept in this morning, so run was done after work which is never 'fun'

Thursday: 13 miles w/ 10 miles @ goal-marathon pace 8:20-8:35 (actual: 8:29). Felt strong and controlled on this run. Legs were pretty sore from my Wednesday night trail run & pilates, but really happy I pushed through and got 23 miles in within 12 hours. Epsom Salt Bath to recover.

Friday: 10 miles easy @ 10:00. Slept in again this morning and got these miles in on the treadmill after work. I haven't used the treadmill very much lately and it was BORING to me today. I had to use some serious mental toughness to push through. I also knew we were getting chinese after I finished so that helped me get the miles in. ; )

Saturday: Rest Day. Normally I've been doing my rest days on Sunday, but we did a bunch of chores and I was in total relaxation mode all day. Epsom Salt Bath to recover

Sunday: 6.15 miles easy @ 10:07 with 838' elevation gain & 30 minutes of strength training

Positive Splits:

• Got in 3 strength training sessions!
• Had a great tempo run
• Kept my easy runs super relaxed and controlled
• 2 epsom salt bathes this week

Negative Splits:

• Slightly disappointed in my strength workout, but this week is a new week and my speed isn't going to go away from skimping on one week of speedwork
• That's it! 

Have a great Humpday! How's your training going?!? 

What are you training for next?