Running After Marathon Training

Yesterday was my first run since the marathon. Honestly, I was worried about running after meeting such a goal. Would I lose interest? Was it over? Would I still get any satisfaction from running now that my goal has been realized? I thought about these things as I began the run.

The trees seemed different somehow, the smells more vivid. I heard noises I had not noticed before. We were running against the wind in the first mile and it came to me. I was there because I wanted to run. Not time my mile, not pace for practice, not to win a race. It didn't matter that the wind would slow our time a little. I was running for the pure enjoyment of running. My mind was clear of all the training I shoved into four and a half months of marathon preparation. Since the end of October I've been on a mission. To run a marathon. I had a very short time to learn a ton of information. It was all I thought about....timing, pacing, hydration, nutrition, how my feet hit the pavement....and more. But not at that moment. I kept finding myself thinking how nice it was to be out there again.

Don't misunderstand me, if I didn't like to run, I never would have gotten as far as I have. My competitive nature is still alive and well also. I just think I have made it to a new phase, the enjoyment phase! My husband jokes that I am NOT the woman he married. As I hugged and kissed him the other day for my new Asics, he laughed. He got them for me for my birthday (yes, I'm 42 today) but he said if he'd ever bought me a pair of sneakers for my birthday in the past, I would've probably thanked him kindly and stuck them in my closet. Instead I had them on and was testing my flexor to see if I could go for a run! (I decided to wait for Friday.)

This reminds me of when we were first dating. He wanted to take me skiing but I didn't have winter boots. I HATE snow and cold, so I didn't need boots since I refused to leave the house if there was any snow out there anyway. This had to be pretty early in our relationship for me to even agree to ski. It's right up there with pretending to like Pink Floyd just to get him out on a date! LOL...that's a funny story too, I'll have to tell you sometime. But anyway....I went to the mall to get a pair of boots so I could spend the weekend with my sweetie. When he came by that night I proudly showed him my boots. He just looked at me like I had 3 heads...

KIM: What's wrong? Don't you like them?
BOB: Ummmm....those don't even look waterproof.
KIM: You didn't say they needed to be waterproof. You said get boots.
BOB: We're going skiing. In the snow. Up in New Hampshire.
KIM: Well, I'll be wearing skis then, won't I? Boots don't really matter.
BOB: Those are not boots, Kim. Those are patent leather shoes.
KIM: But they go up to my ankle, that makes them boots.

At this point, Bobby just smiled and said they'd be fine. (I won...lol) But seriously, I sooooo didn't even want to go skiing. I just wanted to snuggle in the lodgey place and sip hot chocolate before a roaring fire. Wouldn't be needin' boots for THAT now would I??? I got even luckier when we hit a snow storm before we even got through Boston and had to go back home. So I can proudly proclaim that I have never skied (skiid, skeed, skeyed...whatever), nor will I ever. We're married now. I don't have to go skiing....LOL....he admits we had way more fun getting snowed in at his house for the weekend. I heartily agree!

The girls at worked LOVED my boots, by the way.
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Friday Running Club

I had an easy morning with the kids off from school. Kerri watched them for me so I could get to my core exercise class. We worked our legs and abs. Put a little upper body into it too. I really enjoy this class. The ladies are a friendly, funny group and sometimes they get talking so loud Jim has to yell out the instructions....LOL.

As much as I love the class, my mind was on running today. I got my new Asics yesterday and my flexor was getting better. I felt ready to give it a go! I had a spark of reluctance for a minute, I was worried about hurting the flexor more and having to wait even longer to run, but Jim was running today too. I needed a little coaching for this. I wanted to run, but wisely. I knew he'd be able to tell if I needed to wait a little longer.

We started off in a brisk walk, then an easy paced run. We alternated the walk/run all the way to the end of the first mile. My flexor was making itself known, but not too bad. We decided to go the 2nd mile. The last time I ran with Jim was just after Christmas and when we tried this distance I was having trouble keeping up. My lungs hadn't expanded much at that point. Now I can run and talk and never get out of breath.

We were against the wind going out so we thought the run back would be easy...it seemed like the minute we turned back from mile 2, the wind shifted and we were running against it again! Ah well, it was a beautiful day, I was so happy to be running again. Not one complaint from me! Another reason I like running with Jim is because his coaching kicks right in and I learn something new every time. He gives me pointers all along the way. He's VERY into aero-dynamics.

His theories are verrrry interestingggg...Like this one.....I was joking that my legs were longer and I was going to beat him in a 5K someday (which, between me and you, is a lie) but anyway, Jim was saying that it's the push off from the foot that gives the initial boost ...by the time you're swinging your other leg up and forward, you're losing momentum. By running in shorter strides, you could be picking up speed. Hmmmm.....makes sense because when I run alone, I'm almost 3 minutes faster in a 5K than during a race. In races, I book it, I consciously take big strides thinking I'm saving energy but alone I kinda just go along without a care in the world. I know they're shorter strides because I have to think about taking a longer stride. I don't really do a whole lot of thinking when I'm running by myself. I'm too busy watching for dogs. And half naked sweaty guys that tend to run past me....LOL...yes, I know.....lucky ME!

So we had a great run, nice and easy. I feel a little sore right now but it'll be fine. I'm working tonight but then I'm off until Wed! No resting it tonight. I enjoyed running today. Feels great to be back into it.

Now I just need to practice those short, quick strides. Watch out Jimbo....hahaha!!!!!
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Surprise Update on Body For Life

I LOST 5 LBS!!!!!!!! I can't even believe it! Finding that out got me in my closet trying on old jeans. I can add a few more to my wardrobe. Yay!!!!!! Let's hope I don't wreck it tonight when I take the kids to Olive Garden. I'm just having the salad!!!!! And a bite or two of Kerri's dinner.....lol....my weakness there is the breadsticks dipped in alfredo. Ooooohhhhhhhhh, yummyness. I did think my stomach had gotten a little flatter, but I didn't expect the scale to show anything THAT good!!! And in just 10 days.

I'll be back later to tell on myself if I misbehave.

Oh, one more thing......Bobby got me the new Asics Gel Frantic 2 sneakers for my b-day!!! They came in today....yahoooo....just in time for my very first run tomorrow since the marathon. They're white with....guess what color....yep....PINK! Hot pink actually! Can't wait to break those babies in.....
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Sigh.....

I haven't been able to run since the marathon, which will be 3 weeks Sunday. I am so bored. I still have hopes of running on Friday with the gym club, but I should admit the flexor is still hurting. ROM is much, much better though. Jim said it would be about 3 weeks before I'd run and as much as I didn't want to hear that, he was right. So far, he's been right on about every stage of my running, from injuries to the actual marathon, and for the most part I did tell myself not to push it for 3 weeks....BUT I WANNA RUN.

Having to put my running on hold has me on the elliptical and stationary bike and I have become one with the gym equiptment. HA! Well, for now anyway. As soon as I can run outside I'll be dropping the indoor exercises like a bad boyfriend. Might not even say bye, just walk off into the sunset leaving them wanting more and wondering what the outdoors has that they don't.....(it's feeling free, in case you don't know)

The Body For Life program is a good one, I have made a game out of not eating potato chips and licking sticks of butter. Every time I feel the longing for that stuff I look at the new bathing suit I just got. That seems to work....LOL I didn't even try it on, I just bought it. I put it on when I got home, it does fit but I think it'll be 10 more weeks before I wear it in public. And if I look as good in it as I hope I will, I'll be wearing it to the grocery store.....LOL (just kiddin')

I have volunteered for a 10K trail run in April with my Zoomers club. I do not like to run on trails, but I love to see everyone, so I'll take my bike, my camera and my past experience as a cheerleader and go have fun. Maybe I'll get one of those squirt gun things that hold 3 gallons of water and squirt people who want it!! Hmmmm....I'll have to look into that. Trails are dirty, might make mud.....

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Body For Life Day 8

I am adjusting pretty well to the menu choices for this program. It's becoming easier to refuse scrumptious foods, which isn't always easy working in a restaraunt.

Last night Bobby and I took the kids to the St Pat's party at Beef O'Brady's. What a great surprise to see a band that used to play at another restaraunt I worked at 4 years ago. Jimmy and Dave were the highlight of my weekend work shift there! The music was fantastic and they brought their groupies who were also a delight. I also made a ton of money when they played!

Jimmy wore his green kilt last night, but he just smiled when I asked him what he had on under there....maybe because I asked him if it was a ribbon....heehee!! They played all the Irish faves and the crowd really enjoyed them. They also know my coach, Jim Chaps. Small world! Here are the links to these great singer/songwriters.....

http://www.jimchaps.com/
http://www.ourstage.com/fanclub/jimmymccarthy

I know you'll enjoy them!!!

My friend Sherry made a new PR last weekend in a 5K....http://awomaninmotion.blogspot.com/...28:19!!!!!!! YAHOOOO Sherry!!!!! Sherry was running a 5K for breast cancer. I am so proud of her!!!!!

I did my workout today at the gym, I stretched my flexor with some resistance exercises. I also used the abductor (?) and that seems to really strengthen the muscle. Jim says I may be good for an easy run on Friday. (fingers crossed) I did the stationary bike for 30 minutes, keeping the RPM above 90 the whole time. It was a great workout and my hip handled it well.

I'm off to go lay in the sun.
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