Back to work

About 2 months later and about 6 weeks out from the New York City Marathon. I am feeling positive about running right now, although when I have to run I think I would rather be biking and when I decide to go for a bike ride, I think I would rather be running. Notice how swimming is not even in my mind. I am recovering from runs well this year without the major pain that I felt last year. I think I did a good thing for myself by laying off of everything in August. My longest run in August was probably 4 miles. This time I didn't rush my recovery and thus feel better about everything. It still feels surreal that I did Ironman again - it is so funny how you are in the best shape of your life right before Ironman, Ironman day feels like a really long dream, and then the next day your body is a complete wreck and for months later, your mind doesn't want to do anything. I am still a mental nightmare in that I don't really feel motivated to actually go for a run or anything really but once I get out running, it generally gets a little better. It is funny how I usually love to workout - the gym is my home away from home usually - but for a few months after Ironman I have to bride myself to workout at all and I just don't feel like the normal me.

My long run this weekend was 2 hrs long (10.2 miles - Holy Slow). I didn't wonder if I could do it (which is a great feeling after many months of questioning my abilities and generally feeling concerned about my fitness level), I was more upset by the fact that I had to start using Gatorade on the run as I felt really happy for myself that I hadn't had to drink or eat any of this factory made crap in my body for the past 2 months and my intestines were thanking me for it. I also didn't like having to wear my fuel belt again. But, alas, I needed to start getting in fluids on the run. (I haven't even started eating gu blocks yet - makes me want to barf thinking about it.) I started running in low 60's and cloudy weather. I was struggling to get into a rhythm at the beginning and I looked down at my watch to see when I felt comfy, I was surprised to realize it was 51 min into the run (that is absurd, I have to run for 4.5 miles before I warm up - crazy). I felt invincible for the next 15 min and then felt not so great. It was spritzing a little in the middle of the run and was the best running weather I could have asked for on a long run. I felt ok for the next 20 min and then hit the big hill leading up to Main St. in Lake Placid and felt like I was going to die. But I finished a 2 hr run without feeling too horribly. I am happy with this progress. I actually felt like I still had some of my Ironman fitness in me.

Next week I will be at my cousins wedding in Phoenix so I will only be running for 1 hr but the 3 weeks after that will see a 13 mile run, 15 mile run, and between 17 and 18 mile run. Not exactly the best marathon training plan but not a bad one after doing an Ironman in July! I am hopeful that I will be able to run more than half of the marathon and will be carried along by the crazy crowds that line the marathon course in NYC! I am excited to be a part of this wonderful event which is a feeling I have been waiting to experience. I feel like, if all goes according to plan, I will have the experience I have always wanted to have at NYC and enjoy the experience.