Candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup.

4 weeks from now I will have completed my first US Olympic Marathon Trials and will be celebrating with my family and best friends in Houston.

I have just wrapped up my highest mileage week EVER....120 miles. I had 4 hard workouts during this week as well. I have to admit, with Christmas preparations underway and events and parties to attend, I was pretty wiped yesterday. But, this morning I had a great run with marathon pace miles at the end and now I am cuddled on the couch watching the Packer game until I start baking more gluten free Christmas cookies. Life is good.

This upcoming week I have a cutback week of 90 miles before climbing back up to 100, and then the taper! I am feeling really fit and excited to see what will happen in Houston. On Christmas Eve, I will be heading out to Fountain Hills, AZ to run 20 miles with the last 16 miles at marathon pace. This is a tough workout, but my favorite workout of each training cycle. The scenery is beautiful and the course is fast. Exactly what I need to build confidence before the trials.

I am also proud to be a Brooks Elite sponsored athlete for 2012. Brooks has been so good to me. It is so nice to be sponsored by a company that you love.  I am a Brooks addict and could not live without my menagerie of Brooks training and racing shoes! I am also very excited to see what they have in store for us at the Trials. I have been getting little clues via email, I am so excited!