I was planning on blogging throughout my training for the Boston Marathon, but it just didn’t quite fit in with the rest of life. But before Marathon Monday arrives, I thought I’d give you a small peek into what my training was like.

I consider my training officially beginning on January 1st this year. At that point my longest run postpartum was almost 7 miles, which was done just after Christmas. Before January, I was working on building consistency in running at least three times per week. Most of my runs were only 3-4 miles.

Since January I have built up my long runs and number of days running. I was able to complete 18, 19, and 20 mile long runs. In my peak weeks I was able to fit in five days of running each week. I even was able to start to integrate some speed-work in some of the later weeks, something I didn’t expect to be  comfortable with as I was building mileage so quickly. I was even able to race a 10k while pushing the stroller, and finished second in my age group!

Not everything has been smooth sailing. There were some runs that were cut short because my little man just did NOT want to be in the stroller anymore. There were some post baby bedtime treadmill runs when it was beautiful outside, because I was the only person home. There was a “failed” 20 mile long run attempt that I had to cut off at 19 miles because I was bonking hard and didn’t want to risk injury by pushing it for *one* more mile.

Thankfully through all of this, I have been able to stay healthy. I have done many long runs with friends….many runs with my pup…and many runs with my baby. My little man even made it through that killer 19 mile long run (with just one feeding break).

I have put in the work — at least enough to feel confident in finishing the race. While I don’t expect that Monday’s Boston Marathon will be my fastest race, it is sure to be one of the most memorable…and that’s really why I’m running. I’m proud of the work that I was able to do. I’m thankful for friends and family who have supported me by watching my baby, pushing the stroller (like my amazing husband for that entire 19 mile long run!), running with me on easy days and hard days, and just asking how things are going. On Monday I will be putting whatever I have out on the road, but mostly I will be running for the joy of running.

So with that, I hope at the end of the day on Monday I’ll officially be a Boston Marathon Finisher. If you feel like tracking me, my bib number is 18153 and I’m starting in Wave 3.