Hi Laura! The HR training is going really well. I ran a 3:34:05 in Akron in September. Wanted to run Columbus just for fun, nice and relaxed...even though it was 3 weeks post Akron, I still ran a 3:42 in Columbus. Felt great after both. For the next 3 weeks after that, I did run but never allowed my HR to reach "aerobic"...kept it in "recovery" zone. Best post marathon plan I ever did because I felt amazing!
Right now, I am base building...keeping everything nice and easy...allowing my body to create new mitochondria. About 8 weeks before my next taper, I will "sharpen"...and that is when I will decrease the mileage but add speed work.
Meanwhile, I want to remain "unpregnant". We are so happy with the family we have now and love all the new and exciting things we are able to do with our kids. I am fearful that our current method of birth control is going to fail us so I am looking for something with a higher % of effectiveness (abstanence is out of the question...DH looks too darn good).