26.2 with Donna and Friends!

Even though it has been a couple of weeks since I conquered the 26.2 mile run ( I'm still happy looking at my medal!) it is still fresh in my memory and I'm excited to report that I'm ready to do another! I'm going to look for something either later this year or early in 2015. I'm already excited to start the new Galloway Group in Charleston once we are settled in this upcoming Spring/Summer! I've decided that since the first marathon was all about the end goal of completing it - that the next marathon I'd like to shave at least a couple of minutes off my time. I finished the marathon in 5 hours and 2 minutes so if I can finish in under 5 hours for the next race, I'd be happy!! Here is to new goals and to great memories from the 2014 Donna!

It was such a great idea staying in Jax the night before the race since all we had to do was walk less than a mile to the starting line that morning. After the race, I wasn't ecstatic about the walk back after the shuttle dropped me back off at the start, but it was a perfect cool down after running for such a long period of time. Besides my feet feeling sore, my body wasn't hating me the next day. Kudos to the Jeff Galloway program for injury free running!! All in all, I wouldn't have done anything different as far as preparation and training goes. The race weekend went very smoothly and I couldn't have surprised myself any more than I did by running the whole marathon on my own and pacing at a speed faster than expected. What a great feeling! I can't wait to do it again!

Conquering the 26 miles!

I just realized how long it has been since I logged in and updated the blog! The good news is that I am over 7 months in to my training program for the big Marathon next month and I successfully completed the 26 mile training run last week! I am so excited to have hit that milestone and I'm looking forward to race day more than ever. I never doubted my abilities to run that far, but I wasn't sure how I would feel afterwards. Although I was a little sore later in the day, I got back in the groove after a nice Sunday rest day. Even though the weather has been slightly cool (at least for us Floridians) I've been sticking to the weekly morning routine and getting at least 2 week day training runs in. Getting those training runs in help me prepare for the longer weekend runs. I have said it before and I'll say it again, I couldn't do this without the support of my wonderful running group. I love the encouragement and the accountability we have for one another. It's a wonderful feeling! Not to mention, my foam roller and I have become well acquainted since I've been logging the extra miles. A nice stretch does a body wonders!
February is going to be a great month beginning with the Pirates on the Run 10k and ending with the big 26.2 with Donna Marathon. Not to mention, I'm looking forward to finally getting that medal!!

Happy Tuesday my friends! Stay warm wherever you may be!

Victory picture after the last long training run!!