Following the footsteps of Dawn, and April Anne ...Forget the complaints, the whines, the things going wrong in your life. Let’s take a moment to list a few things that are great.

1. A beautiful, imaginitive, caring daughter.
2. A roof over my head even when I complain about it being Snow White's cottage in the woods.
3. Friends and family to share the good times, the bad times and the dull times.
4. Faith that the bad times will turn to good times, sickness will develop health both with the right amount of nurturing.
5. New sneakers and the ability to run.
6. New running partners.
7. Lazy, summer days spent on the river with a picnic under a shady tree.
8. Friends that donate to all my "causes"!

What's on your list?

Training is going well! Fundraising is going well. I am only $60 short of my $500 goal for the Fisher House Foundation Military Spouse/ Marathon Team. You can read more about the Fisher House here. You can make a donation in my name here. Don't forget to include my name -Michelle Bolduc.

Tuesday, I was up bright and early to hit the track. I had 4x 1200 on the schedule. I whipped around the track 3 times and felt awesome. According to the plan I'm supposed to go 50 sec faster than 10k time. I still haven't figured all that out and my first 1200 was 5:30. During my recovery I ws approached by a man on the track that was a track coach. He offered some advice on pulling my arms in closer to my body and then he said everything else looked good... wonder what else he was referring to ;). Anyway, the next 1200 I pulled my arms in and I flew... the first 400 was at 1:28 but I knew that was too fast to sustain for the rest of my workout. I was able to keep my intervals between 5:27 and 5:35. I did a 1/2 mile cool down before heading home to get ready for work and schlep beers for some sweaty golfers!

Thursday, I was supposed to meet up with Bill, David and April Anne. Unfortunately work required my attention and I had to go in. (With the hubby's injury and PT bills about to pour in I need the $) Not until I got my 5 mile tempo run in though. I did an out and back 2.5 mile run twice. It's a decent route with some decent hills but I felt like I was flying. I banged it out in 39min and change. I was feeling pumped as I went into work. My bar patrons could tell too there were a few comments on my chipperness. Ahhh, the power of a good run!

Saturday's long run was 8 miles on trails and the last 4 on the road. We met bright and early to beat the heat and I'm glad we did. It was very humid already at 6:30 and because we were going to be on trails there wasn't a good place to stash some water. I was hoping that I hydrated enough on Fri and that the one after shift drink that I had wouldn't come back to haunt me in the dehydration category. For the most part I felt great. The trails were challenging at times and there were many hills that a couple of times I felt like I was walking up them- oh wait I was walking! After fueling up at 8 and heading back on the roads with Dianna I felt much better. My legs were definitely tired but I banged out the last 4 miles with a 9-9:30 pace. I felt good about the run.

My tummy liked the GU. I have to figure out when to take it. Do you use them on your shorter runs or just long runs?

So, tomorrow begins the official MCM training and I am feeling much more confident after this weekends long run.
I decided to give myself a rest from the speedy Running Chicks and run at a more comfortable pace. I was fortunate enough to meet up with a friend that was visiting from out of town and will also participating in the MCM in late Oct. We met up early to beat the heat and because I had to be back home early to begin the construction of our new above ground swimming pool (I know, a little late in the season- but it was FREE!) As we set out, the pace was comfortable and the chit chat was light, catching up of the new things in our lives and talking strategy for training and completing the marathon...goal time, water stops, etc.
Before I knew it we had banged out 8 miles and I had a hankering for munchkins and an iced coffee.
By the time I got home the crew had begun to assemble. 2 days later I have a beautiful above ground pool. All it needs is electricity and I will be floating and swimming on my off training time.
Life is Good... sometimes

I had a track speed workout on the schedule today but by the time I woke up and dragged my butt out of bed it was already 83% humidity and temps in the 70s. Since I thought that my run was bagged today I called "THE" Running Chick to check that her wings were on for her race. After hanging up with her I got the urge to get out there and run and run fast and above all stick to the schedule. I decided to go and use it as my speed workout. I was happy to see that when I got there April Anne had also decided last minute to come and run. The Running Chicks were together again!
The start was fast. I kept thinking "It's only a mile" but after passing the 1/4 mile marker at 1:31 I knew I had to slow up a bit. I crossed the finish at 6:50 and was happy to take that time and a 3rd place finish in my gender/age category. It was a great little race and I was able to enjoy the rest of the day at the beach sipping on a tequila drink made with the new Jose Cuervo Tropina and feel guilt free about it.
The Running Chicks placing in respective categories didn't suck either. I think we just may be a force to be reckoned with. Who doesn't like "fast" women?
Back to the nursing now, Hubby had his surgery today to repair his ruptured achilles tendon. I guess I don't have to worry about him for competition anymore!

So... I was so excited about the Running Chick long run on Sat that I set my heights high on 10 miles. I haven't been doing consistent long runs but I have been running on a consistent basis week to week for about 6 weeks now and thought I could "grind it out". We met at Dianna's house and started up the first hill with me talking about my Hubby's latest drama- the ruptured achilles tendon. We approached the down hill and I was winded. Let the girls know that I was out of shape for their pace and trudged on. About mile 6 they let me stop for a breather and about mile 7ish I told them to keep going I would meet them at the end. Mile 7 to the end was a walk/run. Took me about 44 minutes to finish the 3 miles- very sad!! The time spent with the Running Chicks were well worth the effort and discomfort.
Anyway, I'm not going to let it discourage me, it's a long 17 weeks until the marathon.