I can’t believe it’s Thanksgiving week!  It is getting cold in Massachusetts and winter is almost here. 

I had a productive week with my training.  The Dopey Challenge Weekend (5k 10k Half Marathon and Marathon) is almost here. The races will begin on January 5, 2023.

This week I practiced a “Mini Dopey Simulation “to mimic the real one in January.  My body is responding well to the demands of training.  

 Recently, I have been doing my training runs on a treadmill.  I really HATE cold outdoor running.  When I run on the treadmill, I usually watch tv or listen to music to prevent boredom.  I can train equally well on a treadmill or outdoors. 

Friday 3 miles (5k) went well …. slow and easy

Saturday 6 miles (10K)

Sunday 13 miles (Half Marathon) 

Monday 18 miles

Other than running, my weekend was quiet.  I watched some football, played with my dogs, and just relaxed around the house. 

 I am looking forward to Thanksgiving.  My husband and I are hosting Thanksgiving Dinner.  I love cooking and baking for guests.  It always gives me joy preparing food for friends and family. 

Less than 2 months I will be CHASING THE Dopey. To make this event more meaningful and spiritual, I am raising funds for a wonderful charity the American Lung Association. This charity  is important to me because I have asthma and allergies, both are respiratory problems.  

For those who have donated ,Thank You.  No amount is too small or too large.

 https://gofund.me/9c35f822  click here to read more details 

 Dopey Training Updates….

 The Dopey Challenge weekend is only 2 months away. (5k, 10k, Half and Marathon). The first race starts January 5^th. The mileage is getting up there!!!  My longest run so far is 18 miles.   This run was a success. Thank goodness! 

Update on my training

The last two ½ weeks were rough. My training has been like a rollercoaster.   I had many mid-race dips in confidence, energy, and motivation.

I guess that is the ebb and flow of training.  

For instance, my last menstrual cycle made a week of running completely miserable.  The menstrual cycle always seems to suck my energy right out of my body. When I ran my 16-mile-long run, I felt horrible. I was questioning my running ability.  Like the Grinch quoted this run “Stink Stank Stunk”. Even the 3-mile training runs was hard. 

I also had some good runs. The 18-mile-long run was a good experience for me. That’s the longest run I have completed since last year. I was sore and tired, but it was a good confident booster run. I mentally broke down the run into chunks of “just 4.5 miles, four times”.  I was on a runner high.  I pray this happens during the Dopey Challenge.

My strength training is going well.  Twice a week, I attend Barbell Class at Lifetime.  My teacher is very good, she always makes sure my form is good. 

Last week, I tried a Step Aerobics class for the first time in 3 years.  I hated it!  I forgot how hard it is to keep up with new moves.  Too much choreography and my brain was unable to process all that foot work at such a fast pace.   I have no idea, how most of the class was able to keep up.   I felt like I had 2 left feet and was completely out of shape! Not my Jam!  

I do not think Step Aerobics will be part of my exercise regimen.  I prefer  the road or a treadmill. 

Today I received some Dopey Gifts in the mail. I have a sticker that says 48.6 and a beautiful Dopey ornament.