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October 3, 2005
Revisiting My Date With Disaster: The DNF
I am not sure what I want to say, or why I am randomly choosing 5:39PM to untangle some of my feelings about yesterday's marathon. I definitely felt a case of the blues last night: I couldn't eat, I didn't really sleep even though I was painfully tired, and I expended way too much energy contemplating my public marathon failure.
And then I woke up this morning and felt like a semi-truck hit me head on and I was suffering from whip-lash. I have run countless 20 milers over the past 4 years and I have never felt like I did this morning; the pain in my body is close to nauseating, and while I know I need to move in order to pump some warm blood through my body, I cannot move. I am glued to the couch. My back hurts like hell and my glutes and legs are even worse. My AM alarm call confirmed it all: Another 7 miles would have been a bad idea.
Still, I feel sad and disappointed. I want to run, but I know that I need some serious time to recover. I probably should have called the strength trainer today, but I have not felt like doind a darn thing. All I really want to do is curl up, sleep, and hide for a while. I still have no idea how I am going to move around the running store tomorrow and shuffle boxes all around the place. This week is going to be miserable . . . partly mental, but mostly physical.
I need to think about my goals, though, or I will never brush past my DNF experience. Starting today, NO MORE LOOKING BACK. I have to move forward like seconds ticking on the clock; I have to put one foot in front of the other.
My Goals:
1. Spend the next 4 weeks cross-training (my body clearly needs a break - it is screaming). My cardio will include some easy and some ruthlessly brutal sessions on the elliptical; spin class; biking; fast walking;
2. This may the most significant one: STRENGTH TRAINING. I definitely need to work on my glutes, hamstrings, quads and calfs. I have to. I also need to focus on my CORE so that my lower back behaves. If I get a six-pack in the process, even better! (that was a joke, by the way; I am not genetically pre-disposed to six-pack abs . . . damn); and
3. Nutrition. I need to face it. I eat crap. I need to re-think my diet and force some more fruits and veggies into my digestive tract. I eat all carbs: bread, bread, bread, bagels, bagels, bagels, candy, candy, candy. If I want to run well, I need to eat like an athlete. This means eating more fish, lean meat, veggies, fruits and whole grains. I *have* to take my eating habits more seriously. I also need to drink water . . . a lot of water.
Those are my goals. Today is day one . . . I can only perform my third goal this week since working out and strength training seem like bad ideas right now! That said, I should get up and walk . . . I have to.
Thank you to everyone who sent emails and comments. I really needed (need) it! One of my good buddies, Dave, just called and told me that all I have to tell people when they ask about the race is that "it was a pain in the A**." I'll say that again :)
Posted by bridget at October 3, 2005 5:38 PM
Comments
if you need a friend to rehab with, i'm your girl! as you well know, you'll get through this. your performance yesterday was nothing short of amazing - and i am saying that as both an admiring friend AND a fellow runner. you were (and always will be) fierce.
Posted by: carrie at October 3, 2005 7:16 PM
Sorry about the DNF Bridget. I know first hand how physically and mentally tough it is. But day #1 post race you have already moved on! Congrats for already setting some goals and looking forward to new things. Good luck, heal up, eat well and have fun cross training!
Posted by: Beth at October 3, 2005 7:38 PM
Bridget, one other thing that you might want to think about is doing some kind of yoga. I started to this summer when I was feeling exactly like you have described. It works flexibility and your core, so you're killing two birds with one stone. Kudos to you for moving on!
Blondie
Posted by: Blondie at October 3, 2005 8:10 PM
Bridget! 19 miles through pain and suffering is nothing to be ashamed about - I sit here and "think" that I would have done the same - but can't honestly beleive that I would have! You are a incredible runner with amazing strength and mental power - I only know a handful of people that can complete 19 miles - I am not one! Keep your spirits high and compete against the elements - not yourself! I'm inspired and going for a run right now!
Posted by: Brother Patrick at October 4, 2005 6:15 AM
Bridget, I'm sorry things didn't go your way for the marathon. I think it's great that you're not looking back anymore and already have new goals. I also think it's a good idea to rest and take care of your glutes issue. Good for you!
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Posted by: tester at October 18, 2006 6:22 PM