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October 24, 2007
Picking up the Pieces
I cannot explain how humbling this whole marathon experience has been - I am grateful for all of the encouragement, support, and most of all, the comments that I have received. It reminds why I love this sport so much - runners truly are a rare breed of human species. I am especially excited that I have a few more blogs to read now (Salty one, Brent, Tuscaloosarunner, and Nugai).
We are 18 days post-sauna and I am finally starting to detox from the rustiness, sluggishness, and perpetual disorientation. I haven't felt quite right since the race - I was explaining to my friend, Carrie (who is running a 50k this weekend!), that I feel like I got whiplashed by a semi-truck. I also feel like an alien, but that may or may not be running related ;)
I didn't run the week after the race, I ran 31 miles last week, and I am on my way to 40 or so miles this week. I jumped into two workouts with H. and friends, and although it took me 4 miles to warm-up, I felt like a "runner" again. H. pushed me a little bit on Tuesday: we ran a 6 mile tempo. We lumbered through the first three in 20:00, but we blazed home in 18:45. Somewhere between miles 5 and 6, H. looked over to me and quietly said (with a hint of a smile), "You still have it." He knows the self-doubt that we all experience post race.
Up next: a FUN FUN FUN trick or treat 10K on Sunday! Obviously, I am not ready to race yet, but I am ready to rock it for a few miles, smile a mile wide, and just have a blast. I would be shocked if I broke 40:00; my eventual goal is to break 38:00 and then 37:00, but, for now, I just want to enjoy tossing one foot in front of the other. After that, B. and I are off the NYC to watch the trials, and to cheer on H. and a few of my friends in the marathon on Sunday.
And, as a nod to Tuscaloosarunner, I have put on 5 pounds since the marathon - I haven't turned down a piece of cake or any candy since the race! I am a strong believer in allowing our bodies to regenerate and recharge after a long training session. I worked extremely hard for 10 months . . . it's nice to let loose, gain a few happy pounds, and just run for running's sake. In another week or two, I will put on the serious face again, but not yet.
Below is a race picture from the chicago distance classic half marathon . . . the marathon pictures are too depressing to post!
Posted by bridget at October 24, 2007 8:29 PM
Comments
I wish I could trade my stumpy little legs for your gazelle legs. I'm jealous :)
Actually, reading your post makes me realize I need an intervention. While you are content to eat candy, gain a couple of happy pounds, and cruise on in with a 40 minute 10k (btw I'll be surprised if you don't "accidentally" break 40), I've been down to the gym every day this week and even run twice on a sore hip. Not to mention I've been plotting and planning my road to redemption in the form of running every local race in site between now and the New Year!
Now I know why you weren't sleeping the week after Chicago. I feel restless as hell! I so want to get back out there, but suddenly I've realized that the sooner I chill out and step back a little the sooner I'll be back out there. *sigh* Hopefully, it'll get easier soon...
Posted by: Salty at October 25, 2007 2:02 PM
Bridget,
Thanks for the nod on your blog. I linked yours as well and love the read. I noticed you are doing a Master's in English. My wife has her PhD in Rhetoric and Compostion and I have an MFA in poetry...small world.
***
Salty,
Take it easy man!!! Just even for a few days. Those XC Nats will be ready for the taking...
GET DRNKU (like I am, as apparently my spelling acuity has gone down the drain).
Posted by: joseph wood at October 26, 2007 3:39 PM
i thought of you when i read this quote:
"beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own; sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction"
- William James
keep on running!
Posted by: carrie g. at November 3, 2007 11:47 AM