Week twelve of training started off on the wrong foot. 
Between reentry from vacation, trying to find a place to live, and dealing with a crazy amount of stress, I’m not exactly sure how I survived. However, during all of this madness, I did realize that no matter what happens in life, nine times out of ten, things generally work out. 
It may not be the sunshine and lollipop version I had expected, but that’s okay. What matters was how I responded to the situation. I could have gotten pissed and quit, but I didn’t. I embraced it for what it was and moved on. Mental toughness, check. 
Chicago Marathon Training Recap: Week Twelve
Monday – Rest. 
Tuesday – 3 miles. Hey, wait a minute! I thought all of my Tuesday morning runs were supposed to be easy peasy? Geesh. Actually, I should have known that my first run back from vacation would be less than stellar. I was tired, stressed out, and had a hard time breathing. I seriously miss running at sea level. So-easy-to-breathe. The only highlight of this run was witnessing this glowing sunrise. Gorgeous, huh? 
Wednesday – 4.5 miles in the morning. I was supposed to run 8 miles, but my body had other plans. I’ve been completely stressed out with trying to find somewhere for Mr. B and I to live. The rental market in Denver is effing bananas right now – more renters than units available. Needless to say, all this stress was taking a toll on my stomach. I don’t know how, but I managed to get four miles under my belt before my stomach went CRA-zy. I struggled the last half mile and even contemplated running inside to REI to….ehem, ehem…take care of business. Thankfully I made it home just in the nick of time before I had an “accident”. Have I mentioned how much I hate stress? 3.5 miles in the afternoon. Okay, fast forward seven hours later and things could have been more different. Why? We finally found a place to live! Whoo-hoo! I was so overcome with joy that I ran in the rain around Wash Park. I might have ran a little too fast, but I didn’t care. I felt like the entire weight of the world was lifted off my shoulders. Damn it felt good to be back! 
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Thursday – Rest. 
Friday – 12 miles. Listy and I headed down to High Line Canal on Friday morning to knock out 12 miles before we left for Palisade. The weather was unusually cool and overcast. I’m hoping this is the exact weather we will have on race day. Fingers crossed! Not only did the weather cooperate, but our third running partner did too! Listy’s babysitter wasn’t available to watch Chance, so what do you do when you’re a Mom and marathon training? Bring them along! Chance was a rockstar. I’m not kidding, he didn’t get fussy once. He just sat in the Bob stroller and entertained himself as well as us. In a way, it was a blessing in disguise because it made time zoom by! Thanks, Chance! 
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Saturday – Cross Train: Biking around Palisade! Check out the recap here! 
chicago marathon
Sunday – Rest. 
Total Miles: 23
Catching up: 
Week One
Week Two
Week Three
Week Four
Week Five
Week Six
Week Seven
Week Eight
Week Nine
Week Ten
Week Eleven
Conclusion: Conclude your marathon journey triumphantly at the finish line of the Chicago Marathon. Celebrate the indomitable spirit of running, having conquered the vibrant streets and achieved a personal victory in this renowned event.