I've been remiss...

...in not posting updates of my training for the 2020 Boston Marathon. Among the many hats I wear (wife, mom, business owner/boss, lecturer, volunteer, dancer, runner), blogger isn't one that I spend much time wearing these days! So, to recap the past few months, I've run 20-25 miles per week since joining the Dana Farber team in October, except for the 2nd week in December when a bad head cold kept me from running most of the week (and I was on reduced mileage the next week trying to build back fitness). I got this gorgeous Boston Athletic Association flag for Christmas:

along with a Garmin Fenix watch (which I LOVE!!) and a new black running hat from my daughters (see photos from today's race at the end of this post).

Many of my miles have been indoors (on a treadmill), but I've had several beautiful outdoor runs, mostly out to Phoenix Lake (Ross, CA, a few miles from my front door)

and China Camp State Park (San Rafael, CA, a few minutes away by car). I am immeasurably grateful to live in an area with such abundant open spaces and natural beauty.




I like to throw in a race here and there to challenge me and increase my VO2 max. The Golden Gate Half Marathon on November 3 was gorgeous (it's one of my favorite races). I'm a pretty slow half-marathoner these days, about 10-12 minutes slower than my best time of 1:55:10 (6 years ago), but I want to make sure a) I don't injure myself and b) running remains enjoyable for me. Beautiful courses like the Golden Gate Half and the Tiburon Half (in late September) make it easy for me to sign up for at least 1 half marathon each year, and most years I do 2 or 3.

Today was the Hot Chocolate 15k. Logistically, it's a drag, because I had to drive to South San Francisco to pick up my number on Friday, and none of their parking shuttles is helpful to those of us coming into the city from north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Fortunately, my supportive husband woke up early and drove me to the city, dropping me off at Golden Gate Park and then parking near the Zoo so he could cheer me on at the halfway mark. It's a beautiful race, and the post-race snacks are unparalleled (a cup of hot cocoa, and a couple of ounces of melted chocolate along with marshmallow, rice krispie treat, banana, pretzels for dipping).






So far, I've run 215 miles on "the road to Boston". Starting on January 20, my weekly totals will increase to about 28 miles per week, then in February to 30-32 miles per week. By the end of March I'll be at 38-42 miles per week, the peak of training for someone like me (a "normal" person with a full-time job and other hobbies, who runs for fun and fitness; not a competitive athlete). It's hard to believe the race is only 14 weeks from tomorrow!! I am a little over halfway to my fundraising goal of $10,000. If you'd like to contribute in honor of someone you know who is currently undergoing treatment, has passed away, or is a cancer survivor, please donate here: https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/goto/milinda

As always, I appreciate encouraging words as well as donations. Thanks for following this blog!