Recovery and flying…

   
Getting ready to fly

 Post flying treat from Baked by Amy’s

Ah, recovery week.   A mix of soreness, happiness, tiredness and a touch of the blues.  Last week the goal was recovery.   I went with the “no running until pain free” theory and did a mini run Thursday and my first real run on Friday.  Easy runs this weekend, and my only overly ambitious moment was I did a bit of easy weight work at the gym (or so I thought) and I am pretty sore again today.   I ate a lot and Jaspy even agreed to a nap on Sunday which was heaven.  After some time to reflect, l felt better about my pacing.  I was a little bummed it was hard for me for about half the race, but after a day or so passed, I realized making the pace team again at 4 hours is a great yearly goal, and one that will keep me working.  I’m probably the only pacer who is excited for next year with 51 weeks to go, and designing a 51 week training plan ( I kid, but just slightly).  

Post marathon meant the weekend wasn’t focused so heavily on running so we did Jaspy’s IFly indoor skydiving trip he had got for Christmas.  I didn’t fly this time, but maybe next time. It’s pretty expensive, but I told him he could have another flight for kindergarten graduation.  He was incredibly cute while flying…and it’s pretty cool.  Just not something to do everyday weekend.  $$$$$$

The weather has been pretty mild which makes running so much fun.  Despite a little case of post marathon blues, I’m pretty excited for some springtime running and my handful of shorter races.  Lots coming up:  a couple weeks of treadmilling, spring break, San Antonio overnight trip with a half marathon race!!!! And then Jaspy and I go to KC and I do some OZ racing.  Cannot wait!

Austin marathon recap…aka it never gets easier…

 
 Post race with a favorite pacee….19 year old first time marathon finisher.  

 

On the couch with my favorite blankie partner after finally showering.   

The marathon is never easy for me.   That’s why I love the challenge but today was tough in a good way (ish).  This was my first year to pace a fast for me time: 4:00.   It was a pretty ambitious attempt on my part, encouraged by the fact my friend Meredith was the other pacer so at least I’d have moral support.  I felt pretty strong and fluid at Dallas 8 weeks ago so I suppose I due for a tough day.   

The positives:   The expo is always fun, you get the same questions over and over but sometimes you really help boost a runner’s confidence which is nice.   It’s a long day though and hardly ideal before a big race but you do what you gotta do.  This year we had two pacees stay with use from start to finish and smash their PRs.   That’s pretty awesome and inspiring to see.  4 hours is a pretty popular time goal so we always had people with us.  And I was definitely moving!  It felt good to put the training to use.   I sincerely trained for this and was really to work.  The marathon trials on tv the day before were a great inspiration.  Go Meb!  Mike and Jasper went to a house party at mile 19 and Jaspy made me a sign that made me tear up.  Seeing them made my day.   I had a lot of fun from 13 miles on….and I got my 16th Austin marathon finishline, and 15th Austin marathon (I’ve got one half Mary in the mix).  Always celebrate a finishline.

The negatives:   The first 13 were tough.   Maybe I just had a bit of a hard day or maybe 4:00 was a bit more than I could handle.  I had some negative thoughts for sure.   I already had planned to work on speed block  and then over the summer a steady build to try and get this dang marathon time back up a bit.  So I’ll need some training and soul searching to decide if I’m back for 4:00 next year.  I’d like to get 20 Austin marathons and this is a nice way to do it, but we shall see.  

And the really negative, Jaspy had an asthma attack yesterday evening and was up all night.  The exact same thing happened last year after the marathon.  So I was up all night.  I can’t say I’m feeling great right now, but work calls    Groan……

And even though no one reads this, huge thanks to all the marathon volunteers who are the heart of the race, thanks to my friend Kevin for saving my arm warmers, my fam for putting up with my hobby that is pretty all consuming, my pacing partner Meredith for not leaving me along the side of the road, and my running buds for helping get through so many long runs.  I’m a pretty lucky runner…

Austin marathon……see you in 2017.

Perfecting timing…

   Even more shoes!   LOVE my pink racing flats but way to scared to race in them.  Racing flats are only for the truly injury proof.

 Only birthday picture I managed to get.   Was probably running a fever of 101 here.
Yesterday was the Rubik’s cube bounce house party.   First I got in a nice 7 miler with friends then did the Bob Harper yoga DVD at home to save time.  That is seriously one tough yoga DVD and I am always sore the next day.   Then I ran a bunch of errands to get ready for the party including getting two primary colored balloon bunches (cube colors) that I failed to get a picture of.  We told Jasper that Mike had stuff to do around the house and couldn’t go to his party when really he was staying home to set up his trampoline that Jasper didn’t know he was getting. He’s young enough that he didn’t think it was weird his dad wasn’t going to his party.  

The party was generally loud bounce house chaos as expected.  The kids favored the cupcakes over the cube cake (shocker).  The kids all seemed super excited to get professional speed cubes as party favors.  Jasper seemed off all weekend.  Lots of fits and stomach issues on Saturday that we chalked up to birthday excitement.   He seemed fine Sunday morning but at his party made several requests to rest and didn’t eat any cake.  When we got home he made the best scream ever when he saw his trampoline but then just laid down in the middle of it to “rest”.  You know where this is going….checked his temp and of course a fever.  Lots of tears about missing school on his birthday and then I had to admit to myself my throat was a little scratchy too and I felt off as well.  

So it’s a sick day.   Jasper is officially sick while I’m just telling myself I’m fighting it off.  Plus I’ve gotten to wear comfy clothes today so I could wear my pacer pink racing flats all day.   I wish as I was fast as these shoes make me feel. It’s really perfect timing though.  You almost want to get sick two weeks out from a marathon.  Hard runs are done and there’s enough time to completely recover from whatever bug it is.   Last year Jasper got sick the day before the marathon and there were about 3 sleepless night in there.  Last night was pretty sleepless but I don’t have 26 miles to run today.  Now I just have to not injured myself on the trampoline and stay away from the remaining cupcakes….and maybe get some extra vitamin C.  🤒