Tuesday, March 16, 2010

What next?

I haven't been running much. And by much I mean only 3 times since the marathon. I am finally feeling more like my normal self. No more pain, literally, in the glutes. Last time I ran I managed 3 miles, granted I went faster than my normal pace so maybe that's why I was so winded, and it felt really hard.

For the first time I actually thought to myself,"maybe I don't want to do any more marathons," and I felt okay with that. I am a person who loves goals, needs challenges and projects to work on. If I don't have them, I'm lost.

So, now I am sitting here thinking: what next? Do I sign up for the half marathon in Chicago in August? Do I wait for the half marathon in November in San Antonion? Do I do more after those? Or do I move on?

I've been biking at home on my recumbent stationary (stationery) bike. It's a workout in itself. I've scaled back on the crap I was eating and managed to keep my weight down. I don't love biking, it's not the next thing for me. Neither is a triathlon, I hate swimming because I'm not good at it.

So, what do you think? What's next?

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

And....we're back

Well it's been a couple weeks since the big race and already I am planning my running future.

San Antonio Rock'n'Roll Half Marathon in November with Lyndsey.
Houston Marathon next January- hopefully I can get in
Chicago Marathon October 2011- why? For FUN of course!

I have jogged twice since the marathon. The first time wasn't fast at all and felt good. I felt rusty but good to be moving again and then I tried again this past Monday and pushed a little too hard. I think I re-strained the muscle that had been given me trouble so I am back to biking only, every other day.

I need to remember to squelch the desire to move all the time and rush back to running full time.

Honestly, last week went better than the first week post-race. It took some time to work through my issues with my performance and with the race itself. I know I must be the athletic, competitive type when people look at me wide eyed and can't relate to NEEDING to have a redo.

It's an internal thing. I literally had to grieve over the perfect performance I was on course to achieve. I cried, I cursed, I raged inside, before I have finally just accepted it. I didn't train to walk, so I am praying I won't have to next race.

For now, I look to the future: healing, exercising and eating smart, and encouraging Lyndsey along her journey to getting in shape to start training. So far, so good!