Track workout tonight. My husband asked me to skip it so he could get a hair cut. We're leaving tomorrow (11hrs in car w/ 3 kids) for my brother's wedding....which he (my husband) is standing in.

I only have 4 days this week in which I can run (because of travel). Skipping one day doesn't really feel like an option. Yet my poor husband has put up with so much (putting kids to bed 3 nights/wks, dinners alone, scheduling his weekends around my runs, etc). So, I relent. Yes, I'll skip my track workout.

Feeling bad....I start thinking. What if I could get him a hair appointment for much later in the day......AFTER my track workout. Hmmm.... I called his usual place and got him a 8:15pm cut. I had no idea they were open that late. Glad I checked.

I call my husband at work. "Honey, I got you a 8:15 appointment. Can I go to the track workout now?" His reply, "Of course. I had no idea they made appointments. I thought they were just a walk in place."

My oh my. Life does get in the way sometimes.

Coach Dave Dunham has been faithfully providing videos for this blog. Here he is....


Megan here:

So Dave, how many miles do you run in each town and what was your total (miles, not towns) today?

Today I felt like Rocky Balboa at the top of those steps. All be it, today's success was nothing compared to "real" athletes...who are born with talent and then train their a**es off. But, I finally feel like some day I might be one....an athlete, that is. Today, I finished a five mile training run in 49:56. I'm beginning to believe I may actually be able to do a 5k in under 25:00........someday.

Week 13 of my life changing training: 19.5 miles

Tues: 4 miles..in evening commute traffic as the sun was setting..lucky to be alive..won't be doing that again.
Wed: 6 miles on treadmill - Husband worked late. Missed the track workout.
Sat: 4.5 miles on treadmill - shooting for 5 miles, but the gym closed and they practically had to unplug the treadmill to get me off it.
Sun: 5 miles (49:56)

Next Week: Hmmm....let's see...how about 20 miles again?
Mon: Weights (I don't know why I keep writing weight workouts on my plan, I don't seem to squeeze them in.)
Tues: 5 miles
Wed: Track (5 miles)
Thurs: Rest
Fri: Weights
Sat: 5 miles
Sun: 5 miles

I wonder if I should add a fifth day of running or focus more on trying to get weight workouts in.

Here are a few photos of what I do all day.....besides training that is. I face multiple messes on a daily basis. But this one is a little more spectacular than usual. It only took him 5 minutes while I was on the phone. (Yes, my fault. I know.) Evidently he's got quite a pitching arm.

I probably won't forget to put the jam away ....for a long time.

Tonight I mustered the courage to hit the track once more....after a few weeks of avoiding it. The funny thing was that I came straight (to the track) from the optometrist....with dilated pupils. My eyes felt the size of small plates, my vision was blurry, and I could barely read my watch. Coupled with exhaustiion, it felt a little like trying to run while drunk. Cheers!

Our workout this week: 4x1000 (500rest). My times were 5:06, 5:11, 5:33, 5:20. I want to believe I will run faster than this some day. But sometimes it is just so hard to imagine.

After the workout, I ran a little more (in the "unwind" direction) so I could write 5 miles in my training log.

How appropriate that on week 11 my pace has been at 11 min miles. Although, I think my 'conversation pace' has been slowly turning into 'faster than conversation pace.'

What is an appropriate average HR when running at a conversation pace?

Also, this week I've been sick (head/chest congestion). It hit me hardest on Tues and Wed. I think I'm now on the mend.

Week 11 .....16 miles
Mon: 1 mile & weights
Tues: off
Wed: 2 miles on treadmill
Thurs: 4+ miles on treadmill
Fri: off
Sat: 4 miles
Sun: 5 miles

Goal for Week 12.....18 miles
Mon: 2 miles & weights
Tues: off
Wed: 4 miles on treadmill
Thurs: 4 miles on treadmill
Fri: off
Sat: 4 miles
Sun: 4 miles

The weather is supposed to warm up this week. Bye-bye Frosty!!!!