First Marathon

Wow, running a marathon was a great experience. Of course it helped that the weather was in the perfect 70s and the course was somewhat flat and there was a GU stop every 2 miles or so. We did great for the first one. We trained for about 3 or 4 months, I am not quite sure of the specifics, but not long is the point. I was able to run about 3 days a week, Sam a bit more, but a month before the marathon he lost inspiration, and became a "kolobok" Russian for a jelly doughnut. So, he decided to run it with me, as a pacer bunny if you will. And a pacer bunny was he, my best prediction was 4 hours? So I did 3:41:25. Without knowing it I missed the Boston qualifier by 26 seconds. What? Hey, I trained to run a 9:15 pace best case, turned out we pounded at a blistering 8:27 pace. And did a negative split, fist half in 1:53, second in 1:48. I'm still confused at how I was able to pull this off, but hey, it was ONE of the best experiences of my life.

Along the route there were some really great posters, some of my favorites were: "it's not sweat, it's your fat cells crunching," and "you're not a runner anymore, you're a marathoner." Oh, and "your legs hurt because you are kicking so much butt!" Haha, loved it.

But, right after I finished I must admit I could not even sit down I was in so much pain. From hips down I felt numb and in pain. The first 22 miles or so we're OK, but then, it kind of just started hurting. I kept pace, no problem, but the pain in the joints was quite disheartening. My cardiovascular capacity was A-OK, but the joints were screaming, stop! Basic principle, I did not do enough training in 3 months after a complete 2 year layoff for the joints to adapt to a whole lotta 14o lb 5'9" lady that I am.

With regards to post recovery meal, well, I was so nauseaus after so many GU's that I did not opt for the GIGANTIC chocolate chip cookies at the finish. Instead I downed 2 cinnamon raisin bagels, 2 powerades, and water. Sam had 2 bananas and a bagel.

It took me a week and a half of NO running to recover. Yeah. I gained 5 lbs in doing so. Well, I'm upset and all, and it was tough not doing anything on my days off from work. And eating lots of Chinese food did not help either, I was having this absolutely nuts craving of chinese food. Must have been all the salt I depleted myself of, haha, yeah right.

Ok, next post to follow ASAP.