Post first-marathon blues

Well, I wouldn't say "blues".  I'm actually feeling good and excited to run more, which is quite a change since after my previous 4 half marathons, I was so bummed about my performance I didn't run for weeks or months.

Boots' "plan" called for us to do SOMETHING the day after Sehgahunda: swimming, easy bike ride, or walking, for example.  I walked...all over two Home Depot locations.  I was like that little old man in the opening scene of Office Space...hobbling with my cart/walker, trying to find those gosh darned fake mulch rings to put around our three fruit trees

Monday was a blessing.  Dave went to work and I did a whole lot of nothing.  Laid on the couch, studied for my NCLEX (state nursing board examination), and hydrated.

The rest of the week I tried to stay active.  My first run was a 3-miler on Tuesday.  Hot as hell, but felt good to get 3 miles down, even if I did look like a marionnette puppet being jerked in a generally forward motion.  Wednesday was a 17-mile bike ride with Gustavo which felt awesome, save for the high winds and debris in the road and on the Erie Canal Path.

Thursday was special.  I took my NCLEX at noon, and thankfully it "shut off" at 75 questions (the exam is anywhere from 75 to 265 questions, depending on how well you do...the better you do, the fewer questions you take).  I went to Urban Fit that afternoon for a "cross-fit" type workout.  Friday was another 3 miler, which felt easier than Tuesday's

Mendon Mauler finish.  Photo courtesy Gustavo Zajia

Saturday I attempted to run the 8-mile Mendon Mauler, as I was dumb enough to decide to move from my originally-registered 4-mile option.  Bad move.  I felt great, but rolled my ankle at Mile 3...nothing serious, but the trail was very rocky and I made the executive decision to not kill myself, nor my ankle, for this race (or any race so early in the summer).  Still had a good time, though, and the shirt is killer.

So, here we are on Sunday.  I woke up with my ankle feeling a little tender, and my new chihuahua dog having an upset stomach from it's worming medicine.  I was planning to do an 8-miler at Durand Eastman park with my fellow teammates, but my body (not just the ankle) was telling me I really REALLY needed a rest.  So what did I do all day?  Napped, made ice cream, and walked the dogs.  Not a bad "rest day" in my book.

But I'll admit I'm getting a little antsy to get out and run soon.  Which is a good thing, since there is NOTHING healthy about home-made vanilla ice cream!