Sunday, November 27, 2016

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! 

41 comments:

  1. Recovering from a marathon is the worst. I'm not sure what's worst, training for a marathon or recovering after. It just messes with your head, especially when it doesn't go as expected. I am sorry for that, but it sounds like you ran really strong and persevered (at the end of the day, that's what matters). And holy cow those medals! So much envy going on over here right now :) Hang in there and glad you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family!

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    1. yes, the marathon is its own animal...the training (typically) is much harder than the race itself LOL

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  2. I've never done a full, obviously, but I've had some very tough halfs, so I at least have an inkling of what you're feeling. Just know that this, too, shall pass. And yes, you finished another marathon -- and that is something I may never even attempt. You're pretty awesome.

    The PR may come at the next race . . . sometimes it takes more than one training cycle.

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    1. Thanks, Judy ;-) It was frustrating...one of those days when the stars, moons, and planets didn't quite align for me. It still was a great course, and a great event none the less.

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  3. I have had a very tough marathon, my first, that shook my confidence to the core. In fact, it took me 3 years to get the confidence to do THAT again. It sucks having a disappointing race. I always say, it comes down to what the day brings you. You have been running a lot this year. Time to recover and pamper yourself! <3

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    1. The hip/groin thing was the deal-breaker for me. And, the icing on the cake? No Biofreeze/pain meds of any kind on the race course at any of the aid stands or med tents. Double whammy!! AT least there was ample crowd support and LOTS of sunshine ;-)

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  4. Marathons are emotional for sure!
    Glad that you had a full house for Thanksgiving!

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    1. Our Thanksgiving was great ;-) Our dog, Max, now is wondering around the house, looking confused...probably wondering where the little white and black dog went LOL

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  5. I completely understand the frustration of training hard (and through that summer that wouldn't end no less) and it not pay off the way you anticipated. THE FALL. Ugh! I think you'll eventually gain some perspective. Hey -- we finished (and yes with times that others would love!) and should be proud of that. I'm glad your turkey trot was a success! I enjoyed having the college kid around. He sure did help with the outdoor decorations. Thanks for linking, Kim!

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    1. I have pretty much come to terms with everything, and am at peace. I know I have the ability to do much better had the hip/groin thing not been a part of that morning. I'm also thankful I did train as hard as I did, or else I might not have been able to suck it up and finish.

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  6. the DOMS..is real isn't it!! especially after a long car ride!!

    So sorry the 66 wasn't your ideal..it is so tough when train hard, do everything right and then have a disappointing race ;( I am so sorry that happened to you.

    Way to get streaking during the week!

    OMG...your kiddies and the doggies soooo cute!!!

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    1. ha ha...I knew the DOMS were lurking....they almost always show up just when I think I've completely avoided them LOL

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  7. Sorry you didn't achieve the results you deserve. I've had that happen with many a half and then I PR when I least expect it.

    I bet you do too!!

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    1. Thanks ;-) The hip/groin thing really messed up my morning. I'm thankful we had beautiful sunshine (it would have really been miserable-and much colder- with cloud cover).

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  8. It really can be so disappointing when the race does not go the way you planned. You just cannot account for feeling bad on race day. Reading about your training the past few months it was so evident how much stronger and faster you got. It was really motivating to read about. I hope you see the positive side of it in the end!

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    1. Thanks, Deborah ;-) I'm am pretty much at peace with everything. I know I did the best I could with my circumstances...all that training did pay off,just not quite how I expected. I'm thankful I had the endurance and strength to persevere ;-)

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  9. Love the family photo! So sorry your recovery has been so rough emotionally, but glad your hip is feeling better. You deserve to be proud!

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    1. Thanks! My hip is still a little funky, but certainly not any worse for the wear and tear last weekend.

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  10. Sorry to hear about the hip pain. I've been there before (out of the blue wth) and it really does blindside you. Taking it easy and honoring your recovery time is tough to say the least. I'm glad the streak is agreeing with you. Such cute doggies!

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    1. Being blindsided totally sucked LOL Thankfully, I can laugh about it now....and be ever-so-grateful I had the endurance going for me

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  11. Sorry your marathon didn't go as you had hoped and you had to deal with some hip/groin pain. So hard training for a marathon and then it not going well, so much is invested in all those months of training! Glad you had a better Thanksgiving day run though and are feeling better. Love that cute little dog Lola, she is a doll!

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    1. Thank you! I know I'm not the first runner this has ever happened to, and with the number of races I do, it was bound to happen sooner or later (just wish it could have been a different day!)

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  12. Hope the hip pain will ease and heal up. Sorry about your marathon. Sounds quite gruelling. Love the sweater you made for Lola.... she is a sweetie!

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    1. The hip is alright. Not healed, but certainly not any worse. I'm just thankful I was able to grit it out and finish the race on my feet ;-)

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  13. aw, what a cute doggie sweater! It sounds like the marathon blues. Hills are awful for hips. I really hope you feel better soon! The marathon is such a beast.

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    1. Those hills totally spanked me! Had it been a flatter course (or a course with fewer hills), it would have been a different story....my achy-breaky hip would not have been so angry

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  14. In my very limited experience, walking has served me well post marathon to get the blood flowing to sore joints & muscles.
    I can understand the emotional roller coaster ride. Unfortunately disappointment happens, and you trained so hard. Still, you are a finisher and how many people can claim they have done 6 marathons ?

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    1. Exactly. Thank you, Karen. ;-) I'm so ever grateful to have had the ability to finish those six marathons, even if there had to be some aches and pains involved ;-)

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  15. I'm sorry to hear the marathon didn't go as planned, but happy to hear that you still finished it and are finally in a good recovery state. I'm sure sitting in the car for 8 hours post race is what really led to the DOMS - the worst! I was planning on doing the streak, as well, but life happened. Maybe I'll start it just a little late!

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    1. The eight hours int he car was not ideal. We stopped every couple hours and got out and walked and stretched, but still. ugh. The DOMS are kind of a package deal....it's just a matter of when they show up and how long they stay ;-)

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    2. Thats awesome that you have been able to start out a run streak! Hopefully your body will allow it to continue. Congrats on all that planking! The emotional piece post-marathon is so hard, and Route 66 is a tough race, especially to also be dealing with wind and hip pain.

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  16. Sorry to hear about your race. I had a goal race this past June that was horrible. Basically a personal worst that I worked so hard to PB at. My dog passed away two days prior, plus the extra heat did me in me tally and physically.

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    1. We all have those races...and usually we're totally blindsided by them, which makes them all that much more frustrating. I can handle hills and I was prepared for wind...but the hip pain was my nemesis that day.

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  17. I am so sorry you have been so down on yourself. It's really discouraging when we work so hard and things don't go as planned. I'm so glad you are starting to find the positives and silver linings. You are amazing.

    We had family over. We ate, we drank, I turkey trotted. We didn't really shop, but I did have a race weekend on the books. It was pretty great.

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    1. The hip pain was so frustrating! I kept hoping I'd find Biofreeze and/or pain meds on the course...somewhere...but to no avail. But, I survived, and am much stronger for the battle ;-)

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  18. great pics! That marathon recovery sounds brutal! I am glad you are finding some positive runs right now- you are an inspiration! That race bling is super legit- makes you just want to put it on and walk around the grocery store or something, right? :) Keep on smiling! and rest a little, will ya!?

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    1. ha ha ha..."put it on and walk around the grocery store." You totally crack me up ;-) I'm taking things really easy right now...planking (obviously) and the 1-milers. I'm working on a workout plan for December...stay tuned

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  19. Marathon recovery is a whirlwind, glad you are feeling better. Good luck on your streak, I avoid those because I always seem to get injured.

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    1. I do not do streaks very often, but I do like the RW winter streak. It's just enough to get me through the rest of the year. I'm playing with fire doing it this soon after my marathon, so I'm proceeding with caution.

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  20. I've never done a full and probably never will, so doing 6 is something I admire tremendously! While I understand your disappointment in your time, find comfort in knowing those of us who have never completed one think you are the BOMB! I think a 1 mile run streak is just what you need to get your run fix in without overdoing things while recovering..have fun with it! You'll be back to your old self in no time! By the way, beautiful family!!

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    1. Thanks, Teresa!!! Yes, the run streak is just enough to keep me active while "in recovery." We'll see how it goes...I'm proceeding with caution...

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