Back in the saddle?

Holy motivation!

I have lost my stride since the marathon.  This is normal for me, but I don't like it.  Lots of things have happened besides just recovery, but nothing earth-shattering, but life is becoming more busy. 

Work has become more intense and busier in the last few months, and I am realizing that this is just how it is going to be.  It is not going to let up.  It's not that the hours are super-long (10 hours per day, max), but I feel mentally drained and lethargic by the end of the day.  However, I feel very blessed that I love my job so much.  I wouldn't trade it for something less stressful at this point in my life.

But, the running.  Part of my issue is, since my performance in the marathon was so far below my expectations, that I feel like I have such a long way to go.  I have missed it.

I have said it before: I have to get used to running in the mornings!  I know I'll feel better and be more consistent if I get it out of the way first.

Has anyone run either Rock n Roll San Diego or the Eugene marathon?  I have run San Diego, but I was in so much pain that I don't remember the course (my first marathon)!  Which course is faster?

Tonight I ran 5 easy miles, although they didn't feel that easy, probably because this was my first run in a week, and maybe there is still some lingering marathon soreness.  My knees and IT band started to hurt at about mile 3 or 4.

Today was a little cooler than normal, about 59 for the high.  By the time I got out there, it was cooler than that, and pretty windy, so I wore shorts and a long-sleeved shirt.  Phoenix people are so funny: I saw several people out in pants or shorts with tights, 2 long-sleeved layers, and gloves!!  That's what you Utah people wear when it's 10 degrees!  Yall are tough!  I'll be singing a different tune when 110 degrees this summer!

Total time was 50:06, a 10:01 pace.

I have one more day to register for Rock n Roll San Diego before the rate goes up.  What to do, what to do....

Whew!  Still not recovered....is my mantra for the week.  The good news is that nothing hurt during the run, which means I'm a little more recovered.  The bad news is...I'm still slow, slower than last night.

I had a good run, though.  I have some new music on my iPod, which made it fun.  And, after all this whining about not being recovered, guess what I did today?  I signed up for a half marathon...on Saturday!  My rationale: it was only $25, and the shirt is supposedly a very cool tech shirt.  So, this will be a "training run" that I happen to pay for, get a cool shirt, and run with other people.  I don't think I could "race" it if I tried.

I know some of you are telling me not to look at the Garmin when I run, and I didn't for the most part.  But I decided to really pick it up for the last mile, and I did: to a 10:03 mile.  :-(  This marathon recovery stuff is pretty depressing...I'm glad I got out there, though.

1:11:22, 10:12 average (snail) pace.

Later: I signed up for the Rock n Roll Marathon in San Diego!  It's on June 1.  I've never done 2 marathons this close in time before, and I'm excited to see how I will do.

I didn't run the half marathon today, and I'm glad.  My body and my mind were telling me all last night that my body just can't handle it yet.  I know I would have pushed myself too hard and delayed my marathon recovery even more.  The only thing I'm bummed about is the $28.00 and the shirt.  My rule is to never wear the shirt if I don't finish the race (which has never happened), but what if I never ran the race at all?  Hmmmm......

I ran a little farther than last time and felt good.  I'm still not back to normal yet, but I'm getting closer.  Our thermometer said it was 40 degrees when I left the house, but it felt warmer.

Total time: 1:22:38, average pace: 9:57.  I slowed down a little too much in the middle and had to book it at the end.  I like finishing strong, because it helps me late in a race.

4 months until my next marathon!