Finished off week 4 with the first 60 minute run of the program. My goal was to get in 6 miles during that run but I only covered 5.5. I was pretty bummed but also tried to give myself grace because I was running against strong winds most of the time (yay for early spring in New England) and I was running on tired legs. I don’t ever plan to do all four of my runs for the week in four consecutive days, but that’s what ended up happening last week due to weather and scheduling conflicts. So it was my fourth run in four days and the wind was not in my favor. But I got it done.

I’m calling this time the “no quit zone” because I feel like here, at the end of week 4, is where things are getting tough. The novelty of the training program has worn off. The runs are getting longer overall so it takes more mental fortitude to get out and go. And my body is feeling it. There is soreness and blisters and lots of athletic tape. But I’m also learning that not only can I run on tired legs, but I can push my pace at the end of runs. Continuing to strength train regularly, cycle, stretch (something I often struggle to fit in), and incorporating epsom salt baths twice a week are helping! The weighted vest is becoming somewhat of a hassle as it’s caused some sores where it “hits” me in the front of my chest during runs. If you’ve ever watched The Office–I feel a little like Andy on the “Fun Run”! 🙂 BUT, I’m planning to continue wearing it to train, just not on my walks until after the race and I can let myself heal. Then it will just become something to wear on walks and hikes and probably not for regular runs after this. Next week I have some easy 30 minute runs, a 45 minute interval run, and a 75 minute run to close it out. My goal is to get 7-7.5 miles in during that run. I’m not dreading it. I’m actually looking forward to it! And I can sense the morning temps rising just a little which makes me smile. Running in 3 layers and gloves is getting a little old.

Lots of pics to share this week! It was “France” week in our homeschool. Our focus this school year has been world geography: ecology and cultures. It’s science and history combined and it’s been so fun to “travel” around the world. I’ve tried to make at least one dish from each country we study but for France, I wanted to do so much more! I have Ina Garten’s “Paris” cookbook so it was my companion all week. Not everything is pictured, but we made baked eggs and herbs, omelettes, and French toast for breakfasts. And of course, crepes! I made Julia Child’s “boeuf bourguignon”, a provencal vegetable soup, croque monsieurs (basically a ham sandwich with a gruyere sauce on top), and tried a new recipe for sourdough baguettes–still needs work! One of our absolute favorite desserts is creme brulee so it was really fun to make it again! I like to tell the kids about the first time I ever had it in Paris and didn’t know what it was at the time but loved it!

A few more pics from an animal-filled week… I brought the kids to New England Wildlife Center in Weymouth, MA to meet an injured hawk and take a microscope class. It was really fun! Reminded me of Animal Adventures in Bolton, MA; another place we like to visit. For three weeks in a row, we have been trying to get chicks to add to our chicken flock. We currently have 12 egg-producing chickens and want to add 6-8 more chicks this year. But the poultry industry has been hit hard lately and chicks are scarce and in high demand. We struck out twice by being too far back in the line when the farm store opened. But the third time is a charm! The kids and I waited in line (with our camp chairs) for 90 minutes Friday morning and got four chicks (the current customer limit). Abby and I plan to go back one more time to try for four more and then we’ll be done for the year. Wish us luck! After last week, I decided to go for my long run when we got home which was a physical test. I was nervous about running after drinking my morning coffee (a latte, at that). Ha! I generally prefer to run first thing in the morning, after eating maybe half a banana at most. But I pulled it off so I plan to do my 75 minute run this Friday after getting our last four chicks. It’s good prep for race day since the race is at 9:00, not 6:00 when I generally run. After a fun night out in Boston with Randy Saturday night, I am ready for week 5!