Today’s training was not fun. My goal was to do 45 minutes with a 2-minute run/1-minute walk, but my calves hurt, so I just walked. I think it was my shoes. This Sunday, when I do 4.9 miles, I’m going to wear different kicks. This is one of the perks of working at Runner’s World:

Before I ran, though, I did a high-intensity strength workout. You might be surprised to learn that you should combine your hard strength training days with your hard run days so that your “rest” days are truly restful. This is difficult when you are someone who loves to exercise. Tomorrow, for example, I have Zumba.

Now, 207 days to Marathon Weekend counts from today to the day before (January 8, 2025) the races, which is when the Expo opens. During the Expo, you get your race bib, T-shirts, and gear bag. It’s crowded with lines, but they play Disney music and everyone is happy. Shockingly, to me, a lot of people were also drinking, although I did know that runners, and others who exercise, are known to be drinkers.

I was feeling disappointed with my sore calves, but then I remembered that I have 207 days to train! More than six months! Plenty of time to be ready for the four races.

This was today’s run song:

More than anything, except maybe being a mom, I am writer. If I don’t write about it, it feels like it hasn’t happened. That’s why I’m writing about my training.

“I write entirely to find out what I’m thinking, what I’m looking at, what I see and what it means. What I want and what I fear.”

― Joan Didion