Catching up!

Hello! So much to catch up on! I've been absent the past while due to vacation. First, there was the hustle in getting ready to go on vacation, then the vacation itself and finally, being back at work and settling back into a routine. That's been tough. I haven't even grocery shopped yet, so I've been stealing enjoying my kids lunchtime snacks as my own (goldfish crackers and cheese strings anyone?).

We are on the #disneyfantasy #disneycruiselines #mywintervacation

A photo posted by Nicole (@macnic05) on Jan 30, 2016 at 9:51am PST

That's about half of our 22 person group, ready to cruise on the Disney Fantasy (Yes, we were on the sailing that had mechanical problems and skipped Castaway Cay). The trip was awesome! This is was our third sailing with Disney and even before the discount we received as a result of the malfunction, we were already thinking about our next trip!

Let's catch up on running a bit, shall we?

Week 5 went well, very well. I ran 73.94k over 5 runs, including my long 24k run with Amy. It was a great run, but unfortunately, we saw a coyote hit by a car right in front of us and die. We stopped and called the humane society and they came to pick up the animal. the driver didn't even stop!!! There was a lot of damage to the front of the drivers vehicle as well, so I'm shocked that they just kept driving! I also hit the trainer for one ride, putting in 17.6k on Carter +1.

#seenonmyrun #nofilter Worth the early hours.

A photo posted by Nicole (@macnic05) on Jan 22, 2016 at 6:49am PST

Week six was the week were leaving on vacation, driving to Buffalo on Thursday evening, flying to Orlando on Friday and sailing on Saturday! I front loaded my week, but running the first half marathon pace run on Sunday which allowed me to take a bit of pressure off. In the end, I only fit in two runs, a 12k and a 26k, but that 26k was an epic run: All Treadmill! The last 16k was done at pace and the run actually went amazingly. I got a whole lot of support for this run from Emma and Sam which also made it easier. I couldn't quit as people were waiting for me to finish

 Then, we left on vacation.

Dry month also came to an end!

For the week of vacation, I ran three times! They were all on the boat and they all felt great!

Can't beat these views (Tortola)

Cool map from my 5 mile run as we docked in Tortola

While we were unable to make it to Castaway Cay, we still got a chance to run the race, around deck 4 of the boat on the running tack. I started with the first wave and even though I had no pace feedback from my garmin (it would pause and not track things correctly, for example a 4 mile run became 19k!), I still managed to run faster than half marathon pace for first place female!

Not quite the view I had hoped for upon finishing my second Castaway Cay 5k, but I'll take close to PR effort and first female. Thanks for the great shirt @redshirtrunning #mywintervacation #disneyfantasy #disneycruiselines #justrun #likeagirl

A photo posted by Nicole (@macnic05) on Feb 5, 2016 at 6:04am PST

We got home last Saturday night and I still managed to fit in a short run on Sunday, even though I could really feel that my "land legs" hadn't come back yet. That 6k brought my weekly total up to a respectable 25.5k run on the week! 

And now, we are back home and I'm tackling week 7 of the plan. With the success of the 26k treadmill run and the 5k at faster than half marathon pace behind me, I decided to pull the trigger and finally signed up for the Goodlife Toronto Marathon. Whew! In 78 days I'll toe the line at marathon #5 and BQ attempt #3. Let's hope this one sticks.

In the meantime, I'll continue to bask in the memories of another awesome family vacation as I run through cold, wind and snow.

What a good looking MacFamily. #mywintervacation #disneyfantasy #disneycruiselines

A photo posted by Nicole (@macnic05) on Feb 5, 2016 at 4:25pm PST