I have thoughts of racing another marathon sooner than later, but then I remind myself that I need and really want a break. I’ve decided I’ll race one again in the fall. Sure, you can PR twice in one season, but in all reality, racing a marathon does take a lot out of you and if I want to race it to my full potential I should rest for a bit.

What now, what now. I took last week really easy and am left feeling like I need a plan. I’m not good at just winging it, I like to have some sort of schedule to follow. I think most people do. I’m ready for my sprint triathlon training plan. Ironman husband… get that together for me please?! And, although the long run makes me nervous week after week, and I’ve looked forward to not having to do one, I kind of think I don’t know how to not run long on the weekends.

Ever since I was cleared to run in early August, after having Marshall, I started training. At first it was just training (9 weeks post baby, 3 weeks of training) to build the distance for the Indy Women’s half and then (4 months post baby) the Monumental Marathon. I wanted to run those races to complete them in a time I felt was challenging but not real racing. I bounced right off Monumental to Rehoboth Beach in December, the goal was a negative split to get mentally strong for Shamrock.

The real race was Shamrock and right after Rehoboth was when the hard training began. There’s been no real break from the long run. My long run gets me excited about life and although sometimes leading up to it and while enduring it I want to be done, it fuels me to be a better person.

Beyond that, I want to keep in long run shape. I assume, for now, I’ll cap then around 15 miles, but will keep them closer to 10-12 consistently. Long, but not stressful. It’s much easier to start training for a marathon, when your base is already set. I like to keep a base year round really.

I started adding to this post all of my afterthoughts of Shamrock, but it was getting crazy long and I think it’s better to break it up. Tomorrow I’ll post a bit about my thoughts on the training plan I used and why I think it worked so well.

I’m super excited to virtually cheer for everyone at Boston this year and am hoping it’s great weather!

What course is your PR on?

Also…. Go Hoosiers!

Old School IU Windbreaker. Marshall has swagger.

OK, so this is a post of the year in pictures, and when I started typing the word January, I  realized I wasn’t even really sure January 2012 existed, because I honestly remember nothing from it and have no pictures. Then, I stumbled upon this gem: My best friends and I ringing in the New Year… see you later 2011.

A low key New Years Eve

There’s Glenn finishing his first sub 3 Marathon.

6 months pregnant, still running 3-7 miles regularly

Glenn on the homestretch on Boylston Street at the Boston Marathon

Glenn after his first Boston Marathon

Baby Shower for Marshall.

Everyone plays flippy cup at baby showers right?

36 weeks pregnant

Leaving for the hospital. Marshall arrived 3 hours later.

Day 2 of Marshall’s life.

Ironman training in full swing!

Sleep deprivation also in full swing

Meghan and Josh’s wedding! It’s normal to be in a wedding three weeks after giving birth right?

Celebrating 4 Year Anniversary and Marshall is 7 weeks.

Marshall’s second wedding at 8 weeks

Emily and Andy’s wedding

Glenn with his biggest fans. 5AM heading out on the buses to complete 140.6.

The Ironman. Time: 10:54:46

The 2nd Annual Back on My Feet 42K Relay. I went back to work at the end of September and project number one was the relay.

This pictures are sub par because I stole them from the race picture website. For some reason, we forgot to take even one picture on race morning. Afterwards, I was so cold and felt terrible… pictures were certainly not on my mind.

• Lindsey ran first post baby marathon (4 months post): 3:33:24.
• Glenn PR’ed in his half marathon: 1:18:24.

Rehoboth Beach Marathon. 1st negative split, 2nd fastest marathon.

First time running same marathon as sister.

Marshall’s turns 6 months- first Christmas together.