Monday, October 22, 2007

Plodding my way back to higher mileage

In no way do I want to detract from the racing excitement, but it's been awhile since I've posted...mainly because I have had absolutely nothing to post about.

We talk about "taper madness" but the 3 weeks following the marathon were the worst for me. Without running, I was exhausted (counterintuitive, I know, but oh-so true!) and depressed. Due to my foot injury, I was only able to run 2 miles the first week post marathon and 3 the second week. The third week I was starting to feel better and got 10 miles in that week, and then the next week I got a 3 and an 8 (hooray!) for a total of 11 in before spending the rest of the week in Anaheim.

That brings us to last week. Mentally, it was tremendously challenging to get myself moving. I really wanted to run, but I didn't want to wake up (still exhausted) and then, as you all understand well, the day would sneak away, evening would come, and I was too dang tired to even put my clothes on, let alone run. Tuesday I got 5 out, Wednesday 4, and then I stalled. Friday night I ate a few too many honey shrimp at PF Chang's and, after subconsciously chastising myself all night, I dragged my rear out of bed for a treadmill run Saturday morning. I got going at 6.0 (nice and easy, I cheered myself on), and about 1 minute into it I had to put it to 4.0 and walk. It was a mental mountain, I am telling you, and I wasn't climbing it.

The only thing that saved me was Robin Hood (BBC version), which I blogged about on my own site a week ago. I had only two episodes left of the season, and as it turned out, they were, together, the season finale. After .5 miles, I picked up the pace and started running again (never fast, but eventually got myself to 6.5). I didn't stop until the show did--at 9 miles!!! I was ecstatic, mostly because I had conquered where I was certain failure loomed. This is a rough place to be after running so devotedly 20+ miles all year long. I did get to 18 last week, so I'm shooting for 20 this week. Here's hoping.

4 comments:

Kelly(M&M) said...

Hey Emily, It is always difficult to start all over again. I am always amazed at how quickly my body forgets how to run. They are called the post-marathon blues for a reason. It is too bad that you were hurt. I am glad that it is getting better for you. Congrats on your mental(and physical!) victory when you thought you had nothing left! Way to get the mileage back up!

Team Hanni said...

Ya for Robin Hood! Way to go on your accomplishment! Good luck on 20 this week. You can do it!

Ang said...

Way to go! I have not been able to really get back on track since I ran my half on Sept. 3rd!! You've inspired me.

Polliwog said...

Thanks for the encouragement, gals. Knowing I've committed my goal on the web is motivating me, that's for sure, though so far I've only done 8. I better get moving!