Monday Mario & Peak Week

I've been doing lots of running since Half Moon Bay as I try to get some fitness back for the Two Cities Marathon in a couple of weeks.  Here is last week's recap:

Sunday:  12 miles (2 miles @ 9:14 pace, 10 miles pacing KM at the end of the Nike Women's Marathon); I have never had any desire to do this race and after seeing the last 10 miles of the course, I am can say with all certainty that I will never run this marathon.  KM battled through a sprained ankle and some tummy issues to collect her Tiffany's pendant.

Tuesday:  10 miles, including 7 miles @ 8:27 pace; My best 7 mile tempo was at an 8:22 pace shortly before my hip blew up.  Considering the short period of time I've been back to normal running, I was pretty thrilled to have completed this run as close to that tempo PR as I did.  Also, I felt amazingly good this run.  The pace didn't seem hard and I could have kept it up a few more miles.

Wednesday:  10 miles @ 9:44 pace; My legs felt suprisingly fresh after the hard run the day before.

Friday:  22 miles @ 9:28 pace, consisting of 4 easy, 2 MP (9:00), 2 easy, 2 MP (8:55), 2 easy, 2 MP (8:57), 2 easy, 2 MP (8:54), 3 easy, 1 MP (8:57); I tried to shoot for a 9:00ish pace for the marathon pace (MP) miles.  I've done some MP work in 16 milers before but have never tried it in a 20+ mile run.  I suppose we'll see how it worked out in a few weeks.

I also managed to make it to Bikram yoga 4 times this week.

I had the above photo pre-loaded for today's post.  I decided to catch some of the more mundane Mario moments.  He looks like a crotchety old man chewing on his hay.

Last night I gave Mario his veggies and pellets before bedtime.  In very un-typical Mario fashion he totally ignored them :(  He refused all the food and even higher-value treats.  He is definitely not himself and I am worried sick.  I've been giving him simethicone and fluids and we have a vet appointment later today.  Fingers and paws crossed for him.