So for the last 3 weeks we have been very bad at blogging. We have had very long runs, with the longest being 20 for Blake and 18 for me due to some injury setbacks, and we are just physically and mentally exhausted. This is no excuse though and we do apologize to those of you who care enough to check up on our status and continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
The race is officially less than one month away! We are so ready and so not ready all at the same time, but the light at the end of the tunnel is near. Our fundraising efforts are going very well too. We have received a lot of donations from friends and family and are very appreciative. Any donation helps the children of St. Jude, no matter how big or small so please keep them coming!
As we are getting closer please pray for our endurance both mentally and physically. Running for countless hours wears at our bodies. Aches and pains are just normal things for us now. Also it is mentally trying to go out and run for hours every weekend. We knew running a marathon would be difficult, but when we started we said it was not for us it was for Sydney.
We have a 20 mile run this weekend and then we will begin to taper in preparation of 26.2!
Thankful for all of the love and support,
Team Barnes
So this past weekend was the end of week 4 training and for Blake it was very eventful. He competed in the first annual Gator Bait Olympic Distance Triathlon (and his first of that distance as well). You can see above that he crossed the finish line and did a fabulous job! I was so proud of him. I on the other hand sat in a chair and watched the whole thing. I did not compete in the Triathlon, although we do normally do them together. I kept great time and snapped plenty of pictures, but as for any real physical work, not so much. My long run was pushed off until Monday. After work I ran on the treadmill for six grueling miles. Running outside through scenic areas is one thing, on a treadmill is a different story. Anyway, I do like the fact I can set my pace and make myself run faster than normal on a treadmill, but that is about the only positive I can find. The heat just makes it difficult to run outside in the afternoon.
So training week three was a little different. Blake is training for an Olympic Distance Triathlon (Gator Bait) on August 28th so instead of having a long run Saturday, he did a brick workout. Blake biked 20 miles and then ran 6 miles. Since I will be loyally cheering him on like a good wife, I changed my running schedule since a long run next weekend will be very difficult. Instead of doing 6 miles this week and 11 next, I did nine this weekend (since 9 to eleven is a big jump) and will do 6 miles next weekend. We woke up at 6:15am and were running by 7:15. I think God has created the most beautiful world and I love watching the sun rise and set. This is a picture of the sunrise while we are headed to start our run, nothing like watching the world wake up every weekend. Anyway, Blake had a great brick. He passed me on the run when I needed some encouragement. Even though we ran early, the humidity in the south is draining. I barely finished because I was having some heat exhaustion issues, but Blake is on track for his coming Trithlon. Even though we didn't have the easiest weekend, we continue to give God the glory for our talents. We look forward to our half coming up in a couple of weeks and the full about 100 days away!