Crazy, but Staying Strong!

Well, it was my third consecutive week of more-than-usual craziness...even though (health-wise) it wasn't really a fun ride, it did have a happy ending. The theme? "Staying strong!"

In case you missed it, I had run one of my best-ever half marathons last Sunday (recap HERE), so Monday began with a very slow shakeout run for my #nevermissaMonday. And, I am not exaggerating when I say it was a very slow shakeout run.

My half marathon had been on a very hilly route, and although I felt great Sunday evening, Monday afternoon was a very different story. This is not a new thing for me. Typically if I'm gonna have post-race DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness), it's not gonna hit me until I think I'm out of the woods. Around mid-afternoon on Monday, my hips, shins, and calf muscles were extremely angry with their owner. Spending the bulk of the day seated at my desk certainly was not helping with that situation either.

I did the short (and very slow) mile after work, and felt better. Later, I met up with Barb (my friend who also had run the 13.1 race on Sunday, and was also in DOMS distress). We walked a long time...probably four miles, and that did the trick.

Compression sleeves after a hilly 13.1? I think so!

Also, late Monday afternoon, I could tell something wasn't quite right. I felt kind of light-headed, and my body was a bit achy (which I attributed to the 13.1 recovery). I woke up Tuesday morning feeling like I had been hit (and run over) by a bus.

I seldom get sick, but when I do it's a full-blown experience. We're talking major runny nose, and lots of sneezing. Yuck. By Tuesday evening, I had body aches, chills, and a slight fever.

Wednesday was not any better. Not as much sneezing, but coughing instead. And continued fever-like achiness. I had a slow day at work in the morning, so I went home for lunch and stayed home. I spent the afternoon napping. Ugh.

Thursday found me feeling still a bit under the weather, but better. I met up with Barb after work and we decided to run five "Cinco de Miles" for Cinco de Mayo. My body felt pretty good, but the breathing was difficult. I hung with Barb, and let her do most of the talking. Returning home, I passed on the margaritas, but had a chai latte' and climbed into bed. My body wasted no time in falling asleep.

That was 5 (count 'em, 5!) Cinco de Miles

Oh, did I forget to mention that our oldest daughter was graduating from college on Saturday? And we were hosting a "small" get-together at our hose after returning from the commencement? Yes. And my energy level had been less-than-zero all week, so the house cleaning had been at the absolute minimum each day. Friday night was my "cleaning-catch-up" night.

Saturday began with an early wake-up (5:00AM), and we were on the road by 6:30, heading to Iowa State University for the 8:30 commencement (approximately 70 miles away). We arrived, met up with the daughter, and secured our seats.

Let's talk about surrealism. Let me tell you, witnessing your offspring achieve a milestone event (such as college graduation) is a pretty surreal experience. Seeing your child listed in the program (with an asterisk next to her name for graduating Cum Laude) is surreal. Watching her walk across the stage and shake hands with the professors and heads of department is surreal. Realizing this is the beginning of her entrance into the "real" world is incredibly surreal. And wanting time to stand still (or even rewind) is a reality.

As much as we groom our kids to grow and become independent, it's hard to let them go. She leaves for a 15-day excursion to Europe this week, and is going with a travel group and will have a full-time tour guide. But yikes. Europe. All on her own. But, we have every confidence in her, and know she will be safe and act responsibly.

Sunday was finally a day of rest. After three continuous weeks of busyness, my body and mind were in need of a day of (almost) nothing. I allowed myself to sleep in, and spent most of the day just enjoying peace and quiet.

I did venture outside late in the afternoon and ran a few miles with my friend, Barb,and the husband. Nothing crazy, and nothing fast. Four simple miles, and some planking when I got back home. Although the fever and achiness is gone, I'm still not 100% back to normal....lots of nasal stuff, making the breathing difficult (and the talking a struggle LOL). But it felt great to be outside, enjoying the spring weather and the company of friends.

Also, it was Mother's Day. A day to celebrate our families. Our kids are 21, 18, and 16, and they truly inspire me to lead by example. They also are the main priorities in my life, and I feel no guilt in taking a day off of training to do stuff with them. 

And, I am lucky to have both of my parents close by. It was my father's birthday earlier in the week (May 4th)....

And, here's a flashback pic of my mother and myself on my wedding day (August 10, 1990). Thankfully, the fried & dyed hairdo is in my past and will never resurface again, thank you very much. (WHAT was I thinking?)   

So, let's suffice it to say that I'm looking forward to a week with a little less busyness and stress!  Have you ever had several busy weeks, all back-to-back? Any bad hair styles that seemed real cutting-edge at the time, but looking back were kind of scary? Have you had a child graduate, and did it make you feel old (but proud)?

As usual, I'm linking up with Holly from HoHo Runs and Tricia from  MissSippiPiddlinfor the Weekly Wrap. Please, head over and checkout their blogs, and explore the other linked blogs as well!