Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Recovery is hard work

Usually I love the week after a marathon. You have a legitimate reason to lay around and order people to rub your legs and feet. How well this works depends on what time of day it is, who is home, and how much bribery chocolate I have left. This time around I just feel like a slug. I have recovered really well from the marathon. My big toe has somehow been fixed by running 26 miles. I've only felt a few little twinges of pain from it. My right foot still has some soreness on the top of my foot. But other than that, my body has felt great. And it felt that way about 3 days after the marathon. Not wanting to make a mistake and do too much too soon, on Wednesday I took my body out for a little run. It was just a two mile barefoot run but it felt great. The tops of my feet still hurt. I came home and iced them. On Friday I did a 3 mile barefoot run. It felt even better. And the tops of my feet felt better. So on Saturday I headed out for an 8 mile run. 5 of it was barefoot until the rain got to be too much and my feet started feeling tender. Come to find out I had gotten a blister. I stuck on my monkey feet and finished it out. I didn't dare lift weights yet so I just did push ups to make sure that I could still do them. 3 sets of 40 Tuesday and 3 sets of 50 Thursday. I'll have to start back up on the push up challenge after the next marathon.

This week has been about the same. I feel like a slug. The holiday weekend didn't help. My teenager was driving me crazy and I felt emotionally spent. We had company and I feel like I'm still recovering from the weekend. I feel like I need a nap every day. I did 3 sets of pushups again yesterday. 40 apiece. I did a 6.5 mile barefoot run and got blisters of the heat. I waited until the middle of the day and the asphalt was hot. Well, relatively hot. Utah's weather is really messed up lately. We had snow this weekend with our highs in the 50's and then it was 39 degrees yesterday morning but 75 by the afternoon. I really hope that my feet adjust and that summer weather and the heat won't always make blisters. I've really been looking forward to summer and more barefoot running. That has been the upside of all this downtime. I've been able to do every run barefoot. I get to finish out this week and then start tapering again for next week's marathon. I don't really know what kind of mileage I'm even going to run. Like I said, I feel like a slug.

I tried to go for a bike ride last night. It resulted in my first crash of the season. And it was less than a block from my house. Stupid stop signs and stupid clips. My hip and right hand and arm still feel banged up this morning. And my pride is bruised. Right in front of 3 guys hanging out on their front porch. All got up to make sure I was o.k. Why, oh why can't I ever fall when no one is watching? Heather and I went for ice cream to celebrate her getting her boot off! Yay!

Meet White Wilma and Blue Betty! (Our bikes!)

I'm also feeling really nervous for this upcoming marathon. I had such a good experience with Ogden and I felt really mentally prepared. What if it doesn't work this time? What if....? I have a million different answers to fill that in that space. I guess that's the beauty of the marathon. You never know what to expect.

In the meantime, I'll be keeping myself busy with last week of school events, getting ready for a ballet performance, working in the yard, and working out our new summer schedule. I really do love summer and having the kids home. I love the freedom that it brings and the fun things we get to do.

Do you have big plans for the summer? Please tell me about them so I can live vicariously through you.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've only ever gotten one blister and it was because of hot road! I never did that again. My teens mentally exhaust me all the time.. sigh...

Your next marathon is your next one. We never can tell what our bodies or minds will do at that race, or moment for that matter. Just like each on of our children are different and we handle them differently so are marathons.

Wendy said...

You'll do great!!

We're heading to South Dakota and Colorado for a family trip. Should be fun.

Jess @ Blonde Ponytail said...

What beautiful pics Jen. You are doing such a great job of balancing your workouts!! PUSHUPS queen!! I like the idea of 3 sets vs. 5 too.

This summer I hope to go back to Omaha, Nebraska for several weeks to visit my family and friends. I really miss my home!

I hope you are recovering...maybe your body is telling you naps are okay! ;) When/what is your next marathon?

Rachelle Wardle said...

Jen you are too funny. You are definitely far from a slug!! Your body needed a break and I am glad you have been able to enjoy some barefoot runs!

I absolutely love that you and Heather named your bikes! You two are seriously the cutest. Enjoy your week!!

misszippy said...

It's a good time to feel like a slug--post-marathon! You'll get it back, quickly, I'm sure! Happy for your friend and her boot removal!

We're headed to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons in August...cannot wait!

Coy Martinez said...

I know I said this before but I would soooo love to do a monkey shoe Marathon too! I'm having issue with my achilles in my left foot getting tight and sore when I run in them. I think I'm overstriding! Anyway, I'll live vicariously through you for now! :)

Lets see vacation...we leave next week for Virginia!

Sam W. said...

i met the next marathon will go really well! i'm so glad you don't have too much pain.

we have a little trip to australia coming up - very excited for that :)

Unknown said...

This is definitely the weekend of sloth! I couldn't get it together to do anything for 4 days straight! I'm so impressed with your barefoot running. I don't even like to walk on asphalt! I can't imagine running miles on it.

Anonymous said...

I know exactly what you mean but feeling sluggish when you need to be taking the time off for resting. Exercise always makes you feel better and when you don't do it you feel like a bum. I felt this way over the weekend since I didn't run or workout but it was nice to take the vacation. But when I worked out today I felt great and needed it!

runs with boxers said...

Sorry you feel sluggish, cause it looks like you've been doing a whole lot! I know that you'll do amazing on the upcoming race. I'll be sending positive thoughts!

Wendy said...

I love hearing about your running adventures. Glad your feet are feeling better. Sorry about the bike crash. :-(

My big plans for the summer was to fit in as many races as possible, with Ragnar being the highlight. But, baby Henry has changed those plans for me. ;-) So, my new plan is to have fun holding my brand new baby, enjoy trips to the lake and mountains with the fam, teach my kids how to make bread and pies and do well on the one half marathon I am still doing. ;-) I just want to savor this summer.

Elle said...

Love your bike. Blue Betty. That is fun.

I hope you aren't feeling too sore from the fall. At least those guys got up to help!

We are planning a little road trip soon and some sailing, I hope.

Connie said...

Jen, I never even thought of getting blisters from hot pavement. I hope you get to pamper those feet a little in between marathons :)

I can't believe you guys are on summer holidays so soon. I teach right to the 30th of June!

Lindsey said...

You're so not a slug! Great job on your runs. You'll do great, too!!!

Average Woman Runner said...

Dear Push-Up Master -
Those mountains are so amazing!
Hope your blister goes away quickly, let those tootsies rest up for your next big day! How far out is it?

Business logo design said...

Great write up..

A Prelude To... said...

I'm looking forward to riding my bike on the Sunriver paths on our vacation. No helmets!...no clipless pedals, and no super bike...just me, my flip flops and a cruiser.
Do you guys not wear helmets on the road there??

Unknown said...

you crashed? Oh no, those are the worst! i hope this week ends a little better. recovery is hard. But you look good in your glasses.
;)

Jennifer said...

We are thinking about going to a nascar race. Our son loves Cars and is looking forward to Cars 2.

Julia said...

JEN! for some reason your updates are not showing up on my blog. NOT COOL. Good thing I decided I better come on over and see if you have written anything so I can get updated on your life!

I am so sorry about your bike fall. I would have been acting like a baby had I fallen (I am not so coordinated on bikes...haha!) but sounds like you took it like a champ. Even with the 3 guys. I am so happy your friend got her boot off! That is great news!

I am so excited to see you this weekend. When are you coming into town?? I must find you at the start so we can hang out and catch up :)

Glad to hear that you are doing well! And I hope that this marathon can be just as good of experience as Ogden :)

bobbi said...

You are recovering beautifully, and you figured out so much of what works for you in Ogden - I hope you have a great race this weekend!