Week 9 of Richmond Marathon Training and a New Race on the Schedule

I am now on week 9 of training for the Richmond Marathon!  And even more exciting, it’s still going well!  Well sort of…

I made the decision to skip out on running last weekend.  I’m a little bummed to miss out on my 18 mile run, but it was for a good cause!   On Friday morning, I got the call from my sister that she was heading into Labor and Delivery, and my niece was going to be born!  So, I packed up the car and raced from Virginia to Ohio!  I pulled into the hospital parking lot just as my Mom was calling to tell me she was ready to push, and I had better hurry!   I was so excited to make it in time, and to have the once in a lifetime opportunity of witnessing my adorable, but BIG (10 lbs!), baby niece enter the world!

Seriously, it was amazing!  And isn’t she just adorable?!

I knew I wasn’t going to fit in a 5 mile run on Friday and Saturday, or a 18 miler on Sunday.  Instead I soaked up all the time I could with my family, and got back on track this week.  I considered trying to fit in extra runs to make up the miles, but I’ve still got two 20 milers, and a 22 before the race.  Instead of maybe overdoing it fitting in extra miles, I’m going to just let them go.

Week 8, (after coming back from Ohio) looked like this:

Tuesday – 4 miles

Wednesday – 8 miles

Thursday – 5 miles

Friday – A really great 6 mile run!

Look at those splits!  and I really had to talk myself into this run, glad I did!

Sunday was a 13.1 long run.  It was slow and achy, and everything felt a little tight.  But, I felt great after I was done!

Now onto Week 9!  Its a 34 mile week, with a 16 mile long run.  I still feel like I may add 2 more to get my 18 in that I missed, (obviously I haven’t completely let that go yet).  But we’ll see…  🙂

Lastly, I have a 20 mile run scheduled for the following week, and I’m super excited to have found a (sort of) local 20 miler race.  The Stonewall Jackson 20 Mile Ambulance Run.

From what I can tell, its a relatively small race, and lots of fast runners.  Me being not so fast a runner, and using it as a training run, with no plans to race it, I imagine I will be towards the back of the pack.  But that is OK.  I’m just looking forward to having someone else plan my 20 mile route, and checking out the historic sites!  Plus, if I’m running 20 miles anyway, I may as well get a t shirt for my troubles.  😉  Mostly though, I am just really happy to have another race to look forward to!  Its been too long!

If you miss a training run, do you try to make it up?  Or let it go? 

Swirlgear Ambassador

I mentioned in my last post that I had an announcement to make.  And if you were an observant reader, you probably noticed this shiny new button:

I’m super excited to be a Brand Ambassador for Swirlgear!  Seriously, these running clothes are great!

Here’s what they have to say about their line of clothes:

Swirlgear is a specialty women’s running apparel brand that celebrates the strength, style and spirit of active women. As a women-owned company, we know style and function are top priorities of fellow runners. Our performance fabric will keep you cool and dry, even on those challenging long runs, while the lengthier cut of each piece will prevent garment ride-up. Contrast flat stitching, fabric insets and vivid colors will add feminine flare and energy to your running apparel wardrobe.
Designed by women runners, for women runners.

See how cute these clothes are?!  I totally see myself wearing them all the time, not just on my runs.  (Especially this green hoodie).   I love these long sleeve tops!  It’s been too warm yet to wear them on a run, but there are some features that I’m really excited about.  The long sleeves are extra long, which is a big deal for me and they have thumb holes, that I’ve found I’ve begun to count on in cold weather running!

Not to mention, The spray dye patterns are so fun!  No two spray dyed pieces are alike!

Another great feature, in their newest line is the side pocket!  All the tops have a pocket in them, even the tanks!  I love having a place to carry things on my long run, and so few tanks include pockets.

This sunny yellow shirt is one of my favorite shirts!

If you’re looking for new running clothes, I would suggest you check out Swirlgear!   And, if you see something you like (which I’m sure you will), use code SWIRLON to receive free ground shipping on your order!

 

As part of the Brand Ambassador program, I did receive these clothes at a discount.  However I purchased them myself, and the opinions expressed are my own.  (I really DO love these clothes!)  😉