Next..??

I know people say full ironman recovery can take anywhere up to 6-8 weeks.  That seems a little long, but I know it takes a while.

 

First week: I was pretty  beat.  I was only sore a day or two, honestly I felt better than after the stand-alone marathon last year.  But, I was tired.  I didn’t have any workouts for a few days, and I didn’t want any workouts.  Walking up a flight of stairs was just…tiring.  I did a couple swims and spun my legs a bit, but that was about it.

 

Second week: better.  Overall I felt good, returning to normal.  Sitting around I felt good ;) I wanted to get out there and do stuff again!  Inspired!  Let’s do this!  That Monday, 8 days after CDA, my coach had me do a 30 minute run.  I was SO EXCITED!  I really wanted to run, I was craving a run, I was looking forward to it all day at work.  And the second I started running—holy cow.  So tired.  My legs were absolutely empty, it felt like I had been running for hours.  They were hollow, there was NO energy, I was out of breath and barely moving.  So crazy!  But, I just kept at it, pushed through the tired without actually pushing myself.  I spent the rest of that run being amazed at how difficult it was, but feeling so thankful that I have this body that allows me to do these things, and allows me to do an ironman and come back and try to run a week later, even if it’s not nearly recovered!  The rest of the week progressed.  A 40 minute run on Thursday felt better; still tiring and harder than normal, but my legs felt a little more alive.  I swam, and did more light spinning (but longer).

 

Then I decided to run a 5k.  2 weeks after Ironman.

 

I figured I would just run with Allen, as he was doing his first official, organized run event!  Then I figured nahhhh I just want to run and see how it feels.  Then that morning, I decided no, I should probably run as hard as I can and see what I can do!

 

Because, you know, that’s smart?

 

The 5k started and I took off like a shot.  Let’s see what you can do, legs!  Felt surprisingly good.  Hitting sub-7 minute miles.  First mile was done, and I was still going!  Ok, let’s see.  Started feeling a little more tired, and by the second mile, I was officially hurting.  But come on, I’m not going to slow down now!  Well, I did slow down, but not too much.  From then on, it was a “you have one mile left, you will most certainly finish as strong as you can” mentality.  Longest mile of my life.  By the last few blocks, I was so done that, even though I could SEE the finish line just a few blocks ahead, I was still slowing down (instead of kicking it up a bit being inspired by the finish).  I knew I was way past where I should be, my breathing was telling me I was totally blown up and over-did it (as if my legs weren't telling me enough)…but thankfully a 5k is short enough I managed to hang on until the end.

 

21:20.  6:53/min average, and a 5k PR!!  (ok so it was a measly 9 second PR, and compared to the very hilly Kirkland 5k, but still, a PR is a PR, right?)

 

Needless to say, that was quite enough effort for the day (although I did still get on the bike later for a ride with friends).

 

Anyway, now it’s the third week and... I think I’m feeling good.  Overall I feel pretty recovered and my legs are progressively feeling better every day, even while working out.  Did some big gear intervals on the trainer today—rough, but the legs are there.  Barely, but they aren’t totally empty any more.

 

I also managed to tip over on the trainer.  Twice.  But we won’t talk about that.

 

Anyway, what else?  It’s very nice to be back on a schedule.  I’m already having trouble sleeping because I’m not tired enough because I’m not working out enough.  So it’s nice.  Thinking about the rest of the year…

 

- Spectating Mac’s Ironman (Canada) at the end of this month (yes, this counts as race planning)

 

- Santa Cruz 70.3 September 13 (not confirmed yet, but that’s kind of what I’m shooting for next, I think)

 

- Kirkland Sprint tri September 20 (even though it’s the week after Santa Cruz, would still love to do it because it has a special place in my heart)

 

- Long Beach half marathon October 11 (I wonder if I can get some speed back for that???)

 

- Seattle half marathon November 29 (who knows, but let’s be honest, I love that race.  Also did I mentioni need some speed back?)

 

And I’m sure there will be more.  I guess there’s a lot of tentative plans and ideas; out of all of thtem, only Long Beach is actually registered for…but at least it’s a start.  If I don’t do Santa Cruz I’ll do Black Diamond, since they have a long course too and I loved the Olympic course (it’s the same weekend as Santa Cruz, but it’s local).  So having “something” to train for is nice.  I also want to do another stand-alone marathon, sometime.  I actually want to do another Ironman, already…but I’m pretty sure I need to give that some time.

 

So that’s the story.  Things have settled down, I’m still focused and training (well, semi-focused…I’m still making excuses sometimes and missing/changing workouts if I have other more fun things to do with friends haha), and overall, pretty happy.  It’s nice to have the entire (rest of the) summer kind of open, ready to make and change plans and pick up races.  I loved having a Big Huge Thing to work towards, but the relative freedom now is nice too!

 

Which reminds me—I do have another race on the books.

 

Seafair Olympic.  This weekend.  Maybe I should focus on that ;)  How much do you want to bet I won't just "take it easy" like I'm supposed ot