One more week...

Here's my weekly recap (I'll spare you the details of my steps...but my team finally stepped up and we are doing awesome!! We are actually beating that guys team...by a lot so I'm dang happy!)

M: 3.5 miles in the morning by myself - it was windy and cold and all the treadmills were used at the gym! - Then did 5 miles at night with my neighbor.  Is it just me - or do you love two-a-days?  I love it cause I'm usually sore and stiff so it makes me feel like I am getting stronger!
T: - P90X - an hour-ish...and my abs were so sore the next day (I am a weakling!) - and 3.5 Miles
W: 4 miles  -and I played PIG at work and I got second place...out of 5 boys and me!  Woohoo!!
R:  3.1 miles - did the Alicia's virtual race - go check it out here - had amazing times - 9:18, 9:01, 8:32 - finished in 27:37!  After my complaining Wednesday I was definitely in need of some speed!
F: Rest!
S:  8 miles  - got up at 4:00 so I could be home at 6 for my husband to leave...not my favorite time to go running but I'm so glad my neighbor was able to join me.

Less than 7 days until I run my second half. I'm nervous just for the fact that I haven't been able to run more than 8.5 miles in the last two weeks...but I'm confident I can finish.  I don't want to have the same problem and burn out fast this time around.  Today's 8 mile run was definitely a confidence booster - we ran up the canyon 4 miles -- and then came back down - the first 4 miles was so hard and it was my neighbors first time ever running hills so it was a battle.  We finished the first 4 with 11:06/M - then we booked it on the way down. So much easier and so much faster - all 4 miles were negative splits and under 10/M with our last being 9:18! Finished with a 10:20/M average pace!   I was so proud of her and definitely felt good knowing I could have that much energy and speed after doing uphill for 4 miles.  I just got to remember to pace myself - pace pace pace - I can't get caught up in the excitement of everyone around me - plus it will be downhill from the beginning - then flat at the second half so I know that second half of the race will totally suck!

So my goals for this next half are pretty simple - and I know I've said them before:

1.) Run 95% of the race...walk through all water stations and run a slow and steady pace for the remaining time
2.) Finish in 2:18 - really hoping for 2:11 but just want to beat my last time
3.) Finish strong!  Last time around I didn't even have it in me to sprint to the finish - I want to be able to sprint and have one of my fastest miles my last mile like I do on training runs! I want to finish and feel like I could keep going!
4.) Enjoy myself!  Run my own race and enjoy it!

I'm so excited for this weekend cause I know a TON of bloggers and friends that will be running this race!  I can't wait to see and hear how they do and to see them all at the finish line/expo.  We should totally plan a time to go to the expo and pick up our packets so we can meet there together!  Why can't Friday come sooner!

Oh and PS - My neighbor is supposed to do a 10 Mile run this next Saturday...since I will be preoccupied with my half she is kindly waiting until Monday so we can run together.  I'm not sure how running 10 miles two days after my half is going to go...we shall see!  But then that will be my last long run before the AF Half...so it kind of works out! LOL

And this was my third consecutive week doing over 20 miles - finished with 27.1 miles!

Do you ever have to work on your off days?

I work M-F 8-4 but once a quarter I have to work on Saturdays...definitely not my favorite time at work, but it's all good.  Today I worked 10 hours - I always think I'm going to get out of there early...but something always comes up!

Should I do a marathon??

The thought of running for 5 hours sounds like hell - but I keep debating...I am thinking of Top of Utah in September (do I have time to train properly for it?) or the Las Vegas RNR- December (do I want to train for a marathon that long?) - What do you guys think...cause seriously the thought of running 26.2 miles is not very appealing but I feel like it's the next step - but I really want to wait until after my AF Half to truly decide.  I kind of want you guys to talk me out of my insanity...can you do that?