Week 17: Very little running, very high excitement

Mileage planned: 37.2

Mileage complete: 40.4

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While we are now a week post marathon, and I promise I have a lot of things to say about the race, this week's post is about the last week of training. It somehow feels different than the other posts in this series about training for the NYC marathon, perhaps because it is all said and done now. I hope to share my marathon experience with you all soon, I am just taking my time to process every moment of it. I am also trying to figure out where to go next - and hopefully that next journey will be one you decide to take with me. 

After all of the miles, I was finally in the last week of training: the week that would end with the NYC Marathon. The work was done, and it was time to rest and mentally prepare for race day.

I had a few miles to get in this week, but it was nothing fast or crazy. I started the week with a yoga class on Monday, called "Bend into Bliss." This class is a slow flow, simple and easy, and it makes me slow down to catch my breath. 

Tuesday started with the usual miles with Kasey, and the transition from fall to winter running weather seems to have been instant. The weather was a cool 28 degrees, so I bundled up with a jacket... which I quickly did not need as I got moving. The temperature was low but there was no wind, so it was really nice. Kasey and I logged around 4 miles, and then the day began. At night I did the usual swim class, struggling a little to get moving in the water. 

I turned Wednesdays track session into a speedy neighborhood run, which I got done after work but before yoga. It was shorter than the usual miles that I put in at the track, so I figured I could save it for the evening that way the sun was still peeking through. I did a one mile warmup, and then 6x400 with the 400s at about a 7:30 to 8 minute mile pace. I felt strong throughout this run. It was a good one, and set me up for a very chill yoga session - a Yin class this time. There was so much hamstring stretching in this class, which was both terrible and amazing. Hard, but also exactly what my legs needed. 

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Kasey and I headed out for another dark morning run on Thursday, and it was a stark contrast to the cool run on Tuesday - I checked the humidity when we got home and it had been at 97%. Both of us felt the struggle on this run, and it was a relief to have it done. It was our last morning run before NYC, and that certainly made it a special morning. I headed to swim on Thursday night, but kept the session short so that I was not exerting myself too much during the taper. I even decided to use flippers for part of the swim to save my legs a little from kicking. 

Friday was an exciting day: Kasey and I headed into the city for the marathon expo so that I could pick up my race bib. We had my GoPro rolling as we explored the expo, so keep an eye out for a recap coming in the next week.

Saturday I got in the last miles before NYC, an easy 2.5 mile solo shakeout run. The weather was a little chilly but the sun was shining, and I was ready and excited for race day.

And then there was Sunday - Race day, the day that I had been preparing for these last four months. I hope you have enjoyed following my journey over these last few months. Check back next Sunday to hear about race day!