It’s hard to believe that my Grand Tetons Half is less than three weeks away, but this spring has sneaked up on me, mostly while complaining about not being able to enjoy spring-like weather…

Fortunately, training has been going well for a race that has a major factor that is out of control for this non-elite athlete. I’m running a race at 6,237 feet, yet I’m training at 295 feet and it’s hardly within reason to move to Denver to train at altitude. 😉

My plan is to be as strong as possible (I’m looking at you hill repeats) and to know that I can run the distance (I’m looking at you Saturday’s 14-miler). Once arriving in Salt Lake City, I’ll follow these tips for doing my best to avoid altitude sickness.

My MRTT friends and I continue to run hill repeats on Tuesday mornings and this past week we were treated to the fragrant aroma of locust blossoms along the trail. Those pleasant fragrances reminded me of running on the farm where locust groves grew naturally in the spring as a youngster.

 

Thursday we met on the W&OD Trail for a conversation paced run for my friends, but a push-pace for me. I’ll catch back up, but for now, I’m just enjoying being out there with my friends.

 

After a surprise arrival by my oldest son late on Friday afternoon and unexpected plans developing for an early Mother’s Day celebration with both sons on Saturday, I headed out Saturday morning at 6 AM for my 14-mile run. I met my buddy Tracy for my first five miles and then continued on solo for my last nine.

 

After cruising along our neighborhood trails, I headed toward the W&OD Trail where I met this bevy of beauties, fellow MRTT ladies. We chatted for a couple of minutes before we said our good-byes.

 

On my return home I marveled in the beauty of so many wildflowers along the W&OD Trail and paused long enough to take a picture.

 

With about a half mile to go, I set up my GoPro (affiliate link) for a picture on our neighborhood trail. It’s so gorgeous and I feel truly blessed to have about 24 miles of similar trails winding through our community.

 

Once home and showered I made chocolate chip banana bread, one of my older son’s favorites. Around noon our younger son and Pablo arrived; however, I had to leave to teach a two-hour class, something I’d scheduled not realizing the boys would be surprising me with a visit on Saturday.

 

While I was at my class, they picked up filets, veggies, dessert, flowers, etc. at Wegman’s and once I got home we had a really fun rest of the day. And the good news? Next weekend they’ll be back in town with Julie and Jess for what I thought was to be our Mother’s Day celebration!

 

And that’s a wrap…

 

In case you skipped checking in on my blog this past week, here’s what you missed…

Looking ahead to this coming week…

  • Wednesday – I have a fun throwback recap of being a buddy runner for the 2009 Girls On The Run 5K in Fairfax, VA.
  • Thursday – Since May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, I’m pulling together some highlights of my previous skin cancer posts to share.

 

In addition to what I mentioned above, here’s a complete run-down of my workouts (completed mostly in our home gym) from this past week…

 

  • Questions:
  • If you’re a mom, how are you celebrating Mother’s Day? 
  • Do any particular aromas bring back childhood memories for you?
  • Did you race this weekend? 

 

Have a great week!

 

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on the blue product link and then make a purchase, I will receive a commission for referring you. You will pay no more or less for the product; however, Amazon will show their gratitude for my referral by paying me.

 

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I’m linking up with Holly at HoHo Runs and Wendy from Taking The Long Way Home for their Weekly Wrap. Be sure to check out not only the hosts’ posts, but the other great bloggers joining in on the fun!