Marathon hangover = Recovery

Marathon recovery sucks. Especially recovering from a tough race that didn't go as planned.

To say the past week has been a myriad of emotions would be an understatement, but I'm riding the recovery (sans the usual post-race endorphins). And, the sun is still shining, so all is well.



 Here's what's been happening:

First off, there's been some emotional lows. As I've eluded, Route 66 did not quite go as I'd hoped. I trained hard, I put in more miles than ever before, and I did a lot of speed work and drills. I certainly was not hoping for a BQ (ha ha ha ha ha...I would have picked a different marathon for that LOL), but I was optimistic for a PR. I knew the route would be hilly, and I was expecting some wind (ummm...Oklahoma...'nuff said). What I was not prepared for was the hip/groin pain throughout most of those 26+ miles. The constant rolling hills did not agree with the constant pain/strain on my compromised hip. Frustration:101.

Next, there was Monday. I was stiff Sunday evening (on the 8-hour drive back to Iowa), but felt pretty good Monday morning. Right on schedule, the DOMS came knocking late Monday afternoon. As much as I was hoping to do a simple (s.l.o.w.) mile for #nevermissaMonday, I resorted to walking instead. Not really a big deal, actually, and Coach Suz advised me to walk anyways. All was well (other than the DOMS playing havoc with  my quads and feet).

never miss a Monday...even if you have to walk it

Tuesday and Wednesday, my emotions were a whirlwind. There was the disappointment with my Route 66 finish time, but gratitude for the endurance that got me to the finish line (there were several miles-just after the 13.1 mark-when I contemplated turning around and going with the half marathon. The hip pain and frustration really messed with my confidence in my ability, and I didn't know if my body would be able to make it 26+ miles). We've all been there...investing a lot of time, energy, and commitment into one race, and then not having things all fall into place. Ugh. Being totally blind-sided by that hip/groin pain really caught me off guard out in the middle of a hilly course on a windy day.

Then, the pendulum swung the other direction. Still, no post-race endorphins (or even a microscopic dose of runner's high), but I couldn't ignore the pride I felt in realizing I had, indeed, just finished another marathon...my sixth marathon none the less. Even though my finish time was a good 30-minutes slower than I'd hoped, I realize it still was a finish time many others would envy. It wasn't a bad finish time, it just wasn't the finish time I had wanted (or trained for). Stay tuned...the recap is still in the works.

Tough race on a hilly course...but the bling was legit

Thanksgiving morning, there was a small local Turkey Trot in my town. A friend and myself organized this "little" event in 2012...it's a free event, it offers 1-mile, 2-mile, and 5K distance options, and all participants are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items (which are donated to our local food pantry). I was prepared for walking the 2-mile distance, but on a whim, thought I'd try to run slowly and see how I felt. Much to my surprise, I felt ZERO pain or anything...so I continued running. I ran slow and easy and chatted with other participants. I felt like a runner again...and after several days of soul-searching after the marathon, that's just what I needed.

We had over 100 participants and collected over 200 pounds of food!

Also, I had been planning to do the Runner's World Winter Run Streak (running at least one mile every day from Thanksgiving through New Years Day. That "plan" had come to a crashing halt immediately following the marathon...but running on Thanksgiving morning, albeit slowly, gave me hope that maybe the Streak was back on. So, yes, I am doing the Streak, but I am proceeding with the utmost caution. All of my daily runs are gonna be slow and easy 1-milers for the first couple weeks. My body is in marathon recovery mode, after all, and is in no condition to do crazy, fast, or extensive miles right now. After a couple weeks, if things are feeling good, I may add in a couple runs that are longer than the 1-mile distance...maybe. Stay tuned.

Friday, I had a renewed sense of happiness(and a very full tummy from the previous day's gluttony). My sister, oldest daughter, and myself headed to the mall (an hour away) and did some Black Friday shopping. We didn't arrive until almost 11:00AM, the crowds were manageable, and there still were plenty of bargains to be found. We got back home around 5:30, I changed into some running clothes, and headed out for the Streak 1-miler...so far, so good.

Streak day #2...successful!

Saturday, my entire body (and mind) were exhausted. Maybe it was that 6-hour excursion in the funky boots while shopping? None the less, another successful Streak run.

Streak day #3...with a warrior-3

And another easy Streak run on Sunday.

So far, so good....four days of streaking

In other news:

We enjoyed having our Pennsylvania daughter (and her adorable dog) for the past week.

This is Lola...and she kept stealing Max's toys

I even knitted Lola a doggy sweater. And she seemed to like it.

My first grand(fur)baby

Yes, the planking still is happening! I'm currently at 134 planking minutes for November.

#planks4thewin

And, the #Fridayfashion post was all about Black Friday shopping survival.

The color red, puffer vest, comfy scarf, jeans and boots...these are a few of my favorite things

And, it was a great Thanksgiving. The Pennsylvania daughter and the college-student son both were home. And, with a new dog in the family, we had a fun (and busy) weekend.

My heart is full

How was your week?  Thanksgiving with family? Lots of food? Turkey Trotting? Ever have a tough race that left you (temporarily) depleted of all emotion?

I'm linking up with the wonderful Holly and Tricia for the Weekly Wrap. Head to their blogs, and checkout the link-up!