14 Weeks Until the Amsterdam Marathon

14 weeks until the Amsterdam marathon! And just two weeks until we move to London. Lots of prep for the move keeping us busy, but still squeezed in time for training for my next marathon on October 16!

Monday: The 4th of July! Since we ran the Gordon Good Neighbor Days 5k on Saturday, there was no racing for me on the actual holiday. We were still up at the cabin, so Dustin, Ruth, and I went for a quick 4 mile run (in the rain- just a drizzle!) before packing things up to drive back to Minneapolis. It was hard to say goodbye to his family knowing we probably won’t see them for awhile. It was also sad to acknowledge that this visit would probably be Matilda’s last time at the cabin; even if Dustin and I come back over the summers, she won’t be coming back and forth from the U.K. to the U.S. with us to visit. At the age of 13, I have to be realistic that our years in the U.K. might be her last. Ugh, why can’t dogs live forever?

The cabin is probably one of Matilda’s favorite places and I’m grateful for all the adventures she’s had up there!

Matilda Memories at the Cabin…so many good times!

After we got back to the Twin Cities and unpacked, I did some strength training: 15 min of core + 20 min of lower body.

Tuesday: I met my friends Vicki and Julie for a steamy morning run; the air was actually so thick with humidity that it was really foggy. It felt like we were running in a sauna! We managed 6.4 miles together.

There were a few dog walks throughout the day/evening (we’ve been taking longer dog walks after it cools off post-dinner with short ones during the day) and 10 min core + 30 min of upper body on the Peloton app.

Wednesday: Quick little Ruth run in the morning, 4 miles, to burn off some of her energy and then an evening trail race at Lebanon Hills.

I used to participate in the Endless Summer Trail Run Series (ESTRS) quite a bit pre-pandemic, but hadn’t run one in quite some time. Dustin and I carpooled with my friends Julie and Vicki, as Lebanon is a bit of a drive outside of Minneapolis. I ran a little bit to warm-up (no more than a 1 mile) before completing the 7-ish mile trail race. I’m not an aggressive trail runner and took things easy but had a good time with a last trail race in the Twin Cities. (Wendy, you would be proud of me for switching things up with the trails!)

There was a raffle and beverages at the finish, so we hung out for a little bit and chatted before heading home.

Such a fun summer evening. I’m so glad to have fit in one of these races before we move.

12 miles on the day (+ 10 min of core on Peloton)

Thursday: Short little Ruth run before it got too hot, just 4 miles, followed by 10 min core + 30 min of lower body on the Peloton app.

Thursday was Dustin’s birthday; I had made two different dinner reservations, one at a place we have been to many many times, but I thought he might want to go one last time (Bar La Grassa) and one at a new restaurant that is getting rave reviews- he chose the new restaurant, Khâluna !

Great choice- it was a delicious birthday celebration!

Friday: Another short Ruth run, 4 miles again, followed by 10 min core + 30 min of upper body.

Saturday: Longest long run since Boston, 14.5 miles, all by myself. I made my way out to Peter Cottontail on the Trail on Minnehaha Parkway to say goodbye to the bunny.

After a shower and lunch, we dropped the pups off at my friend Vicki’s house (thanks Vicki & Nate for watching both of them together!) and hit the road to Duluth.

When our move to London was pushed by two weeks (originally 7/7, now 7/21) we decided to hop onto my sister Cresta and my niece Maggie’s visit to Duluth, which is about 2.5 hours north of Minneapolis, for a Trampled by Turtles concert.

Duluth is a beautiful town along Lake Superior- home of Grandma’s Marathon (which I have run 3 times, 2015, 2016, and 2017!) We didn’t think we’d make it up there again before we moved, so this visit was a nice little perk about our delayed departure.

We arrived around 4 pm, checked into our hotel, then headed to Ursa Minor for a pint.

Then we got dinner from OMC Smokehouse to-go, and walked across the street to Bent Paddle to eat it there.

Then we walked to Bayfront Festival Park for the concert. It was such a beautiful night!

Sunday: Dustin and I were up early to go for a 5 mile run along the lakeshore path. So pretty.

After breakfast and a shower, we drove to a nearby trailhead to complete part of the Superior Hiking Trail; my sister Cresta is working her way through all the segments. I think we covered about 4 miles.

Summary: 49 miles of running, random mix of strength on the Peloton app, lots of dog walks and a bit of hiking on the SHT.

And that’s a wrap on training for the Amsterdam marathon!

I’m linking up with Running on the Fly and Confessions of a Mother Runner; check out their blogs to connect with other fitness bloggers for workout ideas and inspiration!