Week 14: Hills, hills and more hills

 

Total kms this week:  62 kms
Total kms in 14 weeks: 527 kms
Longest run: 33 kms
Hills: 7 (but they were 50% longer than usual!)
Other training: yoga
Funds raised to date: $4,001.00

The big news this week is that my sponsors have now contributed just over $4,000 – meaning my initial fundraising target has been met!  My sincere thanks to each and every one of them. Their support means so much – not just to me, but to Kirsi, to Jon’s family, and to all who benefit from the work of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada.

Of course, with nearly seven weeks to go until race day, I plan to continue fundraising in hopes of raising even more. It’s a great cause, and every dollar will make the hills of San Francisco seem that much easier to climb.

Speaking of hills, not only did I run more kilometres this week than I have any other this summer, but I ran as many hills as I could in the process.  After completing a final hill training session Thursday evening, I selected a LSR route for the weekend that incorporated another series of tough hills (one of which is pictured above). None was as long or as steep as those I’ll be running in San Francisco but I’m hopeful they were nevertheless a reasonably good test for my right knee, which (aside from a few mild twinges en route home Thursday evening) performed well. 

I’m on vacation this coming week so plan to recuperate a bit by running three or four relatively short runs (nothing longer than 16-20 kms), then launch myself into two final weeks of tough training before beginning my “taper” in mid-September. (During my taper, I’ll gradually reduce the intensity of my training in an effort to let my body heal as fully as possible while maintaining race readiness.)  I’ve got to admit I’m looking forward to it.

Because I planned to run a marathon in San Francisco this fall and expected it to be a challenge, I’ve essentially been in training all year.  In fact, I reviewed the data stored on my computer this week and realized that I’ve run more than 1200 kms since January – an average of just over 35 kms per week and new high for me – which I hope means I’m as ready as I’ll ever be to tackle the hills of San Francisco.  Seven weeks from today, I’ll know for sure. 

In any case, my heartfelt thanks once again to all who have sponsored me. Your support and encouragement mean more than I can say. And, if you haven’t yet sponsored me, I hope you’ll consider visiting my fundraising page where you can make a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada using your credit card or PayPal. 

Thanks, everyone!