Summer's Just Around the Corner

My oh my, where does the time go?  It's been 6 weeks since my last post and so much has happened. As summer approaches, I see my calendar getting more and more full by the day. The semester is over and I managed to pull out another "A", so my straight "A" streak lives on (at least for now). This fall will be my last semester and likely on of my hardest (yikes)! I've also started volunteering at the Kennebec Valley Humane Society. Surprisingly, I've managed NOT to adopt every dog there (Andy would have a fit). I've only managed to get there a couple times thus far, but look forward to my time spent volunteering. Another volunteer opportunity has kept me very busy as well. I've joined the Board of Directors for Kennebec Local Food Initiative as a co-president. We are a (hard) working BoD working to increase access to locally grown and produced foods and strengthen the local food economy. And if that wasn't enough, I've also been coaching a Couch to 5K group through KVC (the running studio I belong to). All this, AND I'm in the final stages of marathon training.

To be specific, I have 17 days of training left (before my taper begins). I had a minor meltdown last week. Frozen with fear and anxiety, I'd found myself unable to get my midweek runs complete. I was still able to squeeze out my long runs but I knew if I didn't get a swift kick in the butt the wheels were about to fall off the bus. Luckily, my coach, Amy Lawson, gave me the kick in the butt (with a dose of inspired words) to turn things around. I've started doing my midweek runs on my lunch hour at work, and I must say, I really like it. It's so nice to get out of the office and distress mid-day. So far I've only been doing 3 mile runs (which gives me plenty of time to de-stink, change, and warm up my lunch). However, I think I may try to squeeze in 4 miles here and there (it'll be tight time-wise, but doable). I have 2 long runs left, an 18 miler (scheduled for this Sunday) and a 20 miler. While running that kind of mileage is rather overwhelming I know I can do it if I take it slow and steady.

Even as I fantasize about finishing my first marathon, I'm already thinking about "what's next". The answer: Triathlon. I am registering for my first sprint triathlon to take place August 3rd. That will give me approximately 5 weeks to train. Beyond that I am planning on a super fun Color Me Rad 5K in late August, possibly a 10K in September, a marathon relay in October, and a destination half-marathon (Runner's World Half Marathon Festival in Bethlehem PA) in October. There may be a sprinkling of trail 5Ks at Bond Brook in there as well.

What are your plans for the summer?