One Week to go!

First taper week went well.

4 solid workouts, 4 good runs. We did our last longish run this morning and it was amazing! We did 8 miles in 1:14!! Super solid run for us. I have to say that getting in 4 good leg workouts this week really had them feeling strong this morning. I could definitely feel more power pushing off each stride, and it showed in our pace. That, and it was a beautiful, sunny, cool, crisp morning out there.

Getting excited about next week, hard to believe marathon #4 will be underway a week from right now!

Outfit planning has begun. I am loving all the cute knee highs that are out there right now. I got a pair to wear over my compression sleeves....purple will be the theme for this run. Even the 'marathon toes' will be purple this time instead of blue. (sticking with the colors they turn after, just a different shade : )

Starting to think about kid planning during the run....what will they do for 4 hours, should I pack them lunches? Can they get to the mile 26 marker to see us and give us a boost that last .2 when we need it most? Will Simone be pulling her hair out by the time we finish? They love her, so hopefully they will behave!

Anyhow, lots more to say.....but no time. Gotta get ready for meeting!
Maybe more later....

Photo's for Tea Collection

(Source - Micaela of The Drifter and the Gypsy)
Our friend, photographer, and blogger extraordinaire Micaela, was asked to do a styling project for a San Fran based clothing company, Tea Collection.
She was given a clothing "allowance" and picked out some very cute clothes that Sophie got to keep. Micaela always does such a wonderful job of having a specific vision that she wants to create, and making it happen. Of course, Sophie loves the whole process of getting dressed up, wearing Micaela's accessories, and posing for the camera! She was especially excited that she got to pose with Micaela's dog, Aubrey for a few shots. She shot in all film, which was brave in this age of digital.(this was due to her digital being in the shop, but still, I give her total props, I would have been very worried about what was going to turn out). Here is one of the pics, you can see more on Micaela's amazing site, here.

Ponder over These............

"Surviving is not Thriving"
-Jillian Michaels, from last nights Biggest Loser....can I just say how true this is!!!! We can all survive through life, it takes a lot more effort to thrive....but it is worth it

"Fitness to me isn't about a crunch or a push up, it's about taking your power back. "
- Jillian Michaels

""Why choose to fail when success is an option?"
— Jillian Michaels

"Decide whether or not the goal is worth the risks involved. If it is, stop worrying."
- Amelia Earhart

"Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. "
- Judy Garland

"Never let the fear of striking out get in your way."
- George Herman 'Babe' Ruth

"Courage is fear holding on a minute longer. "
George S. Patton

I leave you with a quote from a brother who shall remain anonymous. This was from last nights closing prayer, while making mention of the large number of elderly ones who have been ill (suffering from many ailments) in our congregation -

"Please be with the brothers and sisters who are having many Ales."

I wasn't sure if Brian and I were going to make it to the end of the prayer w/o letting out a snort laugh!

Congrats Grape Stomp 13.1ers!!

While the rain held off for most of the run, it was windy, grey, and just rough out there. We had a great time cheering on the runners, especially the ones we knew. We were in a great spot where the runners passed by twice, so we got to see everyone at about mile4 and mile 9ish. Brian was surprised to see a few co workers out there as well.
Everyone we knew did extremely well, cutting minutes off their previous 13.1 times, while Zoe managed second in her age division for the 10k!! Everyone pushed their limits and had a great morning! There are more pictures on the Dropshots site, link on the left.

Last Long Run : DONE!!

First, yesterday was the first day it has been cold enough to wear my winter jacket (which I love in part because my wonderful sis-in-laws bought it for me). In CA, this is the day I officially cross over to fall mode. We may be at the end of October, but it isn't fall until you need a coat!

And second, our last long run is in the books! We got out there today and got it done. We both manned up for this one, knowing we were going to get wet, going to run hills, and going to hurt. I put on all my gear that helps me feel tough (yes, I know, but it's all mental for me), my visor, leg sleeves, arm sleeves, and my Ironman watch. Angela, who was watching the kids for us (Thank You!! The kids would have been miserable in the rain) let me wear her Garmin, which was a treat!
If you are from our area, or familiar w/Martinez, we ran from Vine Hill out to the end of Franklin Canyon Rd and back, then down Alhambra to the Martinez marina, ran around down there, then back up Alhambra to Vine Hill, and then up Vine Hill. Not much flat to be found. We were either running a gradual incline, or gradual decline.....and my legs were not happy! The rain started at the Marina, and that gave me a boost heading back up Alhambra (running in the rain, again, makes me feel tough....and again, yes, I know its all mental). By the time we got back to the Behrens, we were both shot, cold, and wet. Angela had coffee waiting (she knows me well)!
So, with that we head into the 2 week taper. Time to recover, protein up, work on some upper body and core work outs, and get some 5-8 mile runs in. It occurred to me that there are thousands of runners around the state and beyond who are getting that last long run done this weekend in preparation for Two Cities. Just a neat thought.
Here are a few pictures from todays run.....Above and below is heading out Franklin Canyon. Heading out is uphill.
Above is the turn around point at the end of Franklin Canyon. My legs are already shot, and we have a long way to go. Notice the dead turkey just over my head. Random.
The above pic is an interesting perspective, the first half of our run was on the back side of those hills at the bottom.
This was down at the Marina Park, the rain started as we were standing here.

What's Up This Week

I typed up a big long post that bored even me, so here is the abbreviated version -
Sunday after Rocky Ridge, Brian had the chance to run w/o the kiddos, so we did a run we have been wanting to try for the past 2 years, but were afraid to. It is a 10.5 mile loop from our home, that ends with running UP Ygnacio Valley Blvd from Oakgrove to Cowell. We've always wanted to try, but man that is quite the hill. We see bikes slowly making the way up often, but never runners. But we did it, ran the whole way, in the drizzle, cars flying by....it felt amazing to run it!! If you are a runner in our area, you know where that hill is....it is a must do! You will feel like a beast after you finish!

Training update:
All is going well. No injuries or pains to report. We had a bit of a lame week last week with being sick, but managed to get a decent amount of miles in that included some quality runs, and hills. The weather has finally turned into fall, so the cooler temps have made runs so much more enjoyable, and improved our times a bit, too. We have made arrangements for our last long run this weekend to be kid free, and a different route than normal. It should be a fun 22 miles on Saturday heading out through some country areas, lots of horses and cow pictures to follow..... Then the 2 week taper/count down begins!

To all our Grape Stomp Half Marathoner friends - have a great run this Sunday! Running in the rain makes you feel 100% more hard core : ) Spectating in the rain...not so much, but we will be out there on the course looking for you guys, and giving out free high fives! We are hoping to hit the start, mile 9ish, and the finish. You have trained hard, and you will do great! Enjoy every second.

Alright, that's it till next week! Have a great weekend!

Sophie's First Trail Run Finish

Here are a few more pictures the photographer captured at the finish. Sophie sure gave it all she had!

This picture made me want to thank Jillian Michaels for all those lunges, squats, and plyometric moves! I wish I had the abs to match that thigh, lol!
If you are wondering what I was saying, it was, "Go, Go, Go!! Push, Push, Push!!"
The clock time is showing the time for the half marathon, which started exactly 26 minutes before us.