The first week of marathon training...mission accomplished! It wasn't pretty, but the miles were put in and now, only 17 more weeks to go! While 17 weeks seems so far away, I know it's going to go by so fast. Of course, living in the mid-west, it can be 90 degrees in February one day and then negative temps the next.. this week we had another round of snow and cold weather come in, so two of our runs were on the treadmill. Believe me, I am one that will usually face the rain and cold weather just to avoid the dreaded treadmill..but with temps below 32 with snow and ice on the ground, just aren't safe running conditions for outside. It's not worth slipping and breaking or straining something.

This week our 4 mile run on Tuesday was pretty fast (about 33 minutes)and felt pretty good..until after. My piriformis started acting up again but luckily I had an appointment to see my Chiropractor the next day, in which she really worked me over! Yikes! While the treatment that day was pretty painful, I felt good as new the next day, so it was totally worth it! I always feel so much better after my appointments!

Since training for my first marathon wasn't enough to keep me busy, I decided to sign up for my first triathlon at the end of July at Smithville Lake! I am super excited to try out the whole triathlon experience. This triathlon is for women only and it's what I would consider a "mini-tri." It's 500m swim, 10 mile bike, and a 3.1 (5k) run. I think it will be a good first timer event!

http://www.winforkctri.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=77&Itemid=8

Being's that it was Superbowl week, I felt it was appropriate to incorporate it somehow into my post. While running is obviously an individual sport and it means something different to each runner. All the dedication and training that you put in to prepare for your event is ultimately your "regular season." It's the hard work that you put into the regular season that will pay off in your runner's "Superbowl." While I haven't felt what it's like to cross the finish line in a full marathon yet, just knowing how emotional and ecstatic I was after my 4 half marathon finishes,I think it will be a feeling of accomplishment that will be indescribable. I can't wait to share the moment with the people I care the most about and who will be waiting for me at the finish line.