Ready for Cowtown!

It’s race week! Sunday will be my 21st marathon and my 8th time running the Cowtown Marathon. I love this race!

I first ran it in 2013, and have gone back every year. This course, even with all its hills, has my 2nd and 4th fastest marathon times. My dad has also participated in this race for several years, running the 5k, 10k, and his first and second half marathon.

2016 with my dad (his 2nd half)

Both of my parents are from Fort Worth, so there is some nostalgia. But I think a big part of why I keep going back is that it’s a big city race that doesn’t feel like it. I feel like the runners are valued, and when you come in to the finish there’s still a lot of activity and support. The race shirts are great – you get a short sleeve race shirt, and then a long sleeve finisher’s shirt. You can see a lot of past years’ shirts just scrolling through my Instagram feed, because they make up most of my winter running gear.  🙂

I’m feeling pretty good about my training this time around. I’ve done more hill work earlier in the training, and pushed myself on some long runs. Overall, my weekly mileage is higher than it was in the fall for the Fort Worth Marathon. It helps that this is my best weather to train in too. My longest run was 22 miles with 10 at marathon pace, and it went well. I know that’s a longer run than most people do or need, but it helps me with my mental wall on race day.

Then last week, I had my last hard workout with 800s, and I was happy to see that I still have some leg speed.

The hard work is done, and I have my race day plan. Now if the weather would cooperate, that would be great. I’m not letting that deter my goals though.

 

 

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Morning and Evening

What’s your favorite time of day to work out? Morning? Evening? Middle of the day? Is it by choice or is your schedule dictated by other things in your life (kids, work, etc…)?

For the most part, I’m a morning runner. I like getting it done first thing and checking it off of my list. Otherwise, I have it hanging over my head all day.

Sometimes, I have to do some shifting though. Weather played a part this week, but other times it can be kids’ activities or their work schedules. It’s hard to get up for a 5 am run when you’re sitting outside the school at 10 pm waiting on a bus the night before.

Today, I moved my run to later in the day, because I thought there might be some slick spots on the road in the early hours. We actually got a little bit of snow yesterday! Since there were no activities planned, I told the kids it was fend for yourself night. They know exactly what that means.

I was going to get my longer weekday run done.

I got started 30 minutes later than planned, because something came up with one of the kids. It always does. I wasn’t sure if I would get it all done. I also wasn’t really excited about going for a solo run, so I made myself a deal. “Make it to 6, and then you can stop.”

I passed a few people out in the neighborhood. I don’t know what to say when I can’t say good morning. Everything else sounds forced, but I tried.

Then I was done. I finished all of it. I started in the daylight, finished in the dark.

I didn’t have to worry about what time it was. I didn’t have to rush. I came inside and did little bit of strength work, and [gasp!] stretched and foam rolled. Normally that’s all reserved for weekends when I’m not as rushed.

It was a nice switch for today, but I still prefer my morning runs. Most of the time I’m running with my friends, and the miles fly by.

Early mornings with less traffic and noise, are a great start to the day.