115 days until the race. I am in week 10 of my training plan (17 weeks to go). Today was 6 miles of hill repeats, I use a bridge/overpass. It got HOT (yes summer like temps of upper 80s) past few weeks. I always thought of the heat as part of my training plan and purposely have not tried to get out early before it gets hot. It is going to be a long, hot, training plan.

Sometimes I feel like I am behind, but other times I think I am progressing. I don't want to injury myself, burn out, etc. I continue to mix up "hill" repeats, some incline TM work (more about that coming), regular runs. But I try to "push" myself on all runs.

So if I can average 3 mph I should have no problem completing. So I do walking on TM at 3 mph. I have discovered that up to 9% incline no problem. After that my HR really gets up there. Then at 12% incline and greater the back of my calves and all the way up the back on my legs just scream for me to ease off the incline. But I keep going up. Walking at 15% incline is do-able, but like I said the calves are talking (yelling) at me.

This weekend is 9 miles for my long run. I'll just do it flat and a bit faster than my normal long runs. Next weekend is 10 miles, I plan to drive (yes, not very "green" of me to drive to run) up to an area that has hills and run a "hilly" long run.

I am still very excited. 95% of other time I am positive, know I can do it, sure I can do it. Then for short moments I worry that I do not know what I have gotten myself into. I have not idea of the feeling of a continuous incline for that long, or the fact that I will be at altitude. Those are not things I can plan for. Or when I will hit the wall (or the true steepness of the mountain). But I keep saying "I can" and keep seeing myself at the top!

Off to shower now!
K