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February 16, 2005
Recovering for Real
Thanks for the encouraging words! They truly did pick up my spirits after that disappointing experience. I’ve gotten over my “I never want to run another marathon again” attitude, and I'm ready to move onto the next thing once my legs recover. They're still a bit sore and my right hip hurts massively (the "butt pain"), but at least my knees are bending more so it doesn't feel like I'm walking around with my legs locked out. I’ve printed out Pfitzinger’s six-week marathon recovery training plan, and I plan to follow that close to a “T”. There, it's in stone. Between Grandfather Mountain (July 2002) and Philadelphia (November 2002) Marathons, I didn’t take any down time because it would’ve cut into the next training cycle. And my thinking at the time was that I had PRed at the three marathons before with only three to four weeks in between, I could come back fast for this one too. I ended up overtraining, running too fast, and throwing up several times near and after the finish. I don’t want to fall into that trap again and set myself up for failure. I’m older and wiser now - actually, I’m not but I can laugh at myself - my two failed marathon experiences, and the good ones as well, have taught me a lot about myself. Things like I need to be more patient and slower in the early miles; balance those hard workouts with easy ones; cross train more like I used to; don’t put so much pressure on myself. If I can stay healthy and train smarter this next go around, I may or may not PR, but I think it could be pretty dang close. That and remember why exactly I do this stuff - for FUN and the LOVE of running - and not to stress myself out so much as if marathoning were putting bread on the table.
I guess the whole point my jibber jabber is that I’m going take time to recover appropriately, as mentally painful as it will be to take it easy for three to four weeks, so I can start again physically and mentally refreshed for some shorter spring workout races and fall marathon season. I don’t know how my hip’s going to fare, but I plan to be consistent with my hip strengthening exercises. Also, the new massage therapist I saw on Monday is certified in kinesiology, so I might work with her to remedy biomechanical or muscular imbalances that must exist. It’s worth a try.
So far, in week one of recovery, I took Monday completely off, biked for 30 minutes and lifted yesterday, and I'm taking off today. Usually, I'd be jogging by mid-week post marathon, but I'm going to err on the side of caution and just jog twice and cross train this week.
Posted by Leilani at February 16, 2005 06:53 PM
Comments
Kudos for deciding to recover for real...it should seriously pay off in the long run. You can use the strength you gained in this marathon training cycle to springboard yourself to some PRs in shorter races this spring! Enjoy recovering!!
Blondie
Posted by: Blondie at February 16, 2005 07:09 PM