A summer with no training plan. Wha? And no, I'm not knocked up, as indicated by my wine consumption this summer (see can of Stella above). Wine intake was up while my running mileage was down. Also on the rise was my travel mileage. 

I very intentionally took the summer off. I wanted to travel, to see friends, to drink wine, to camp, to stay up late. I wanted to do things like book a 12 hour layover in San Francisco with a 2 year old before boarding a red eye to Boston without worrying (knowing) how it would negatively affect my training. My endurance test on that trip was crouching on the floor of coach so that PJ could sprawl on two seats...not sleeping for over 24 hours and then driving 4 hours to Vermont upon landing. I had to pull over once to basically eat the iced coffee mix I'd packed. So tired. 

I didn't hold myself to rigid goals, but did make it a point to sweat at least every other day. And to include my family more.  I tried a cycle class, I did circuit training once in awhile, a bootcamp, joined Barre3 online and did it like 2x, and a lot of medium burn mental therapy running. Ahh that pace you aren't supposed to tap during a training block is seriously so addictive. 

It took a bit to get into the swing of running for "no reason", but then it felt great. The biggest mileage weeks I had this summer were usually when we travelled. I love, love exploring by running a new place. I got to run in Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon... and all over WA from the Cascades to the plains.

And while I didn't run in NYC, I did bike from Brooklyn all way down the tip of Manhattan and up to Harlem to see the Royal Tenenbaums house. Huge bucket list item checked off. And can I please move to that corner of Harlem?? 

I will admit after this summer of pure funning, now I'm super antsy (read kinda jealous) watching marathoners get close to their goal races. Seeing all the people going for the OTQ at CIM. I know I'll be back to a training block at some point. I miss getting butterflies before a big workout and counting the days until an A race. 

As for another OTQ attempt? I was almost positive I was one and done. Then the standard came out, and I had that tingly feeling. To get there I need WAY more than a feeling though and the clock has started. As for the "knocked up" baby stuff, we would love to have another one. Or... I'm finally not as shellshocked by the memory of our first year with PJ to attempt to make that kid a big sister. Attempt is the keyword there of course, I'm not naive to what a stroke of complete luck it is to have a healthy baby. 

But after a summer where nothing on my summer bucket list was left unchecked, I'm ready for what's next.