So 3 weeks ago, I ran a "fun run." It was awesome. Can I just say that I am glad I had the foresight before my marathon in January to know that anything run in the next few months following it would (and should) be just for "fun?" I told myself that I wouldn't be racing again until the fall. When my girlfriend and I toed the line at the Hot Chocolate 15K in San Diego, there wasn't a thought in my mind of running anywhere but by her side. So I did. It was great. I think we ran right around a 9:30 pace. Easy breezy comfy Sunday stroll.
Complete with hot chocolate and fondue at the end in lieu of a medal. Seriously the most enjoyable race I've ever done.
In May I'm doing some traveling and I plan on running back-to-back halves with two more girlfriends. It'll be more of the same! I can't wait. More on that in my next post.
For now, I'm trying to survive a 17-day stint with the hubs gone. ((sigh))
A little perspective though. My girlfriend pictured with me above... Her husband just got back from a YEAR in Afghanistan. Oh, and she has four kids too. Two sets of twins. God bless her. She really is my hero. Truly an amazing mom, wife, and friend!
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My running has been coming along. I'm still not feeling incredible though I will say that I feel better actually running most days than I do walking around. So weird! I ended up back on Strength Running a couple of days ago and found a post that talked about a "Body Maintenance Day." It's really nothing new, but it was a reminder to myself (once again) that, "Hey, you should be doing this stuff." Jason Fitzgerald lists the following items for a Body Maintenance Day:
- 100% clean and healthy diet – no cheating
- light core workout, but nothing too taxing
- foam roller on all body parts
- ice bath
- an extra 1+ hours of sleep
- no taxing work like yard care or home maintenance
- no alcohol
- compression socks worn all day
I did almost all of the items it talked about except for a couple. This morning was a pancake breakfast fundraiser at my oldest sons' school, so I went ahead and graciously accepted the stack o' hotcakes and two sausages. Not exactly part of a "clean and healthy" diet, but I really would have felt like a huge snob if I'd have gone through the line and said, "No thanks." Anyway, the rest of the day was clean and healthy, so I consider it a 90% success.
Then I got home and was supposed to do: light core workout, foam rolling, ice bath (as per his directions in the post).
I completely forgot the core workout. Don't ask me why.
I did spend about 45 minutes with my foam roller (and trigger point kit), however. Yay! I was really good about foam rolling in the later stages of my marathon training but have since neglected it.
Right afterwards, I had my youngest and middle sons help me out with my ice bath (my oldest was volunteering at the pancake breakfast). They were a little too excited about this, I have to say. They loved pouring ice into the tub and listening to me scream.
My youngest also thought I needed some toys with me in the tub... to include a pair of goggles and a toothbrush (??).
Afterwards, I donned the compression gear (socks and shorts).
While I was dying for one earlier, I didn't have a drink. And I'm about to go to bed and get a bit of extra sleep (probably not an hour though). So all in all, it's been a pretty good maintenance day. Excited to see how I feel tomorrow.
Speaking of tomorrow, it's almost time for Boston! Woohoo!!
