Week 8: Day 3 - February 22, 2017

• trail/road RUN with one dog = 6.24 miles; time = 1:16:21; average pace @ 12:14
• easy WALK with dogs = 2.6 miles

I wasn't going to do a run longer than five miles. Then I realized that I wouldn't be doing a run on Sunday morning because I will be doing a pet charity 5k walk. I doubt that I will do a run after the walk. There may be a very tiny chance that I will, but mainly because I don't plan to ride (bike) to work on Monday. Monday calls for rain in the morning. I want to put in 17 miles this week. I am doing a run close (but not quite) to six miles tomorrow morning.

Speaking of cycling...since I signed up for the Finish The Ride 30 mile "leg burner" ride, I need to start training for that. It really does require training. Since I am only used to an elevation gain of 1,267 feet and the event ride has an elevation gain of 2,585 feet, it is a 1,000 feet difference which is a lot. But I'm at a loss on how to train for it. I may have to give up my Wednesday morning run to do a bike training. While I do have to work on Sundays and Thursdays, I'm not sure if my legs can handle a training ride on a hilly route and then ride to work the next day and I may need a rest day in between. I will have to see how I feel after training day. The hilly trail run that I do with the first 1.4 miles straight up the hill...the trail that I like to run on when I train for a half marathon? I am thinking of training (cycling) on that hill. It may not be the same as 2,500 feet or even close to 2,000 feet, but it is a truly great hill to train/work on. It's like climbing 40 flights of stairs by the time I get to the top. I have two months to train.

If you are feeling generous, please make a donation on my charity fundraising page. Any amount, small or big, and any support are all greatly appreciated!