High Five

Sigh, enough with the "high" remarks already. But, I can't resist...

A high five for finishing Week Five. Despite having run just three times this week, I still managed to increase the mileage from the prior week.
Weekly tally: 19.72mi/31.7K
Training-to-date: 154.25mi/248.16K

A high five for not quitting, even though I really wanted to on the hardest training week to date, and knowing the road ahead is not going to be any easier, with barely a third of this 18-week program completed.

A high five for figuring out what minor adjustment needed to be made -- no human running partner -- to be a happy runner again.

On this rest day, I look back at my progress. It's been no easy task so far, but I'm proud of myself for sticking as close to the plan as possible without sacrificing all the other things I enjoy.

I look ahead to the next third of training, with the intention to think or implement these five things, in no particular order, that may help me progress further:

1. Pep talks to self. Maintaining a positive attitude. It's ok to run by myself. In fact, preferable.
2. Better nutrition. I will soon see a dietitian ... not only because my endocrinologist ordered it be so, but because I really need to know how to balance the needs of a diabetic marathoner-in-training.
3. Cross training. I don't care if it's swimming, yoga, or cycling. I just have to be more consistent about it.
4. New shoes. I've put nearly 155 miles on my New Balance 856s, and this is since I've been keeping track. I bought these shoes late last summer. Time for new ones, definitely.
5. Experiment with gels. Apparently these really work.