Tuesday 16 October 2007

Tuesday after the race

I was hoping for some race photos by now, but they still aren't posted. I am sure they will be doozies! At one point, I was running, pretty much alone, and saw two cameras pointed at me. Well, my bib was under two layer of clothing I planned to ditch but never did. So, I did what any red-blooded American girl would do... I unzipped my jacket and lifted up one shirt to show my bib! I am sure I looked like some kind of waterlogged deranged exhibitionist.

I was expecting the heavy dark cloud of depression to hit this afternoon. The Tuesday afternoon after my last HM was brutal. But I feel fine... thank God.

I do have a sense of unease - I have been training for something since January 1. I don't think I want to train for anything right now, but I feel sort of aimless. I will probably get out and take a little easy 3 mile run tomorrow.

That is hilarious! In August 2003, I decided to start running and I started with 5 minutes of running. 5 minutes was all I could take. And then after a week or two, I increased it to 10 minutes. Once I did ten minutes, I knew I could do a mile. I ran a mile for months before I increased it to a mile and a half. I remember the first time I ran 3 miles - well, the first time since I was in my 30s.... it was July 28, 2004.

So now I am nearly 56 years old and talking about taking a "little easy 3 mile run" - three days after a half-marathon. Life is good. It is really, really good.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

I always need some sort of goal. If I don't figure something out by this time next week, I'll be in the same situation - state of unease.

I had such a blast on my random Monday biking vacation day that I think next year I want to target some sort of charity bike ride (MS 100 or something like that) that is a ride and not a race...

Debbi said...

I sure do know how you feel about being firmly planted in middle-age and going out for "easy" three-mile runs. Who ever would have thought we'd be doing this? At our age? And loving it!

Wes said...

You've come a long way baby!! Woo hoo! Maybe marathon is in your future, after you've had plenty of time to rest, or maybe a longer tri? Who knows? But we can't wait to find out!!!!

ws said...

the post race depression does hit like a ton of bricks...

the last two sentences, though, are perfect. thank you.

that should be my defense when people ask me why I keep running. Because out on the road "life is good. It is really, really good."

J~Mom said...

I am cracking up at the thought of you flashing your race bib. It's just like something I would do. I am a bit concerned about my pics in my tri suit. EEK. I don't have a single spot to hide my fat. :>X

You have come so far. Give yourself a few weeks of rest and then try to set a new goal even if it's in the future somewhere.

Jess said...

I like having a goal too -- it forces me to run and have focus when I do so.

Randy - Maniac #788 said...

I agree on the goal thing...it makes it all real and worthwhile, but I understand about the post-race depression....find something that isn't too far into the future and set your sights on it for training purposes...then if it fades, there will always be something else to train for to take it's place...there are just too many marathons, and tri's, and ultra's...woohoo..now that is a wild word to be thinking about...

Yes you've come a long way baby...I think we've all come a long way over the past 8 or 9 months....but look ahead to all the good that we are providing for ourselves....that is a great image for inspiration that I have when I run these days....just how much better I feel...how much further I can suddenly run without having to take walk breaks.....it's taken me 9 months but I can finally do a 5k...woohoo...I hope a 10k doesn't take another 9 months...starting to sound like a pregnancy...omg...I need to sit down...better stop here...