The 3 Week Road to Recovery

I have started running again this week and I can honestly say that I have not felt this good in a long time. My mind feels clear and my legs feel springy. A little slow, but springy all the same. I am not wearing my watch, so I am not sure how slow but I just feel good.

I took a pretty aggressive approach to training for the JFK 50 Mile race. In the past, during marathon training, my peak weeks have always been in the high 40s. So, 70-80 mile weeks were a lot for me. For 16 weeks, I trained hard. It was tough physically and mentally.

A couple weeks before the race, I started thinking about what is next, which is Boston. I have a pretty lofty goal - 3:29:59. My BQ time was 3:39:45. It's going to be a challenge, but I am going to give it my all. I ran (not raced) a couple marathons this Fall, training for the JFK and without any type of taper coming off 60+ mile weeks or real speed training, I ran them in 3:47 and 3:53. I think 3:29:59 is attainable, but again is just going to require a lot of work.

I was feeling a little overwhelmed and lost at the end of the JFK training cycle. I was scatter-brained. I needed someone to tell me what to do after the 50 mile race in order to prepare for Boston. I wasn't confident I was making good running decisions. I felt like maybe I was in over my head. I knew that I would be cutting it close and should start training for Boston soon after the JFK. But how soon? So, I reached out to George Buckheit from Capital Area Runners (CAR). I had been receiving their newsletter for a couple of months and the results the CAR runners post speak volumes - Over the past 3 years, 90% of his marathoners have run PRs.  So when I spoke to George and ran with CAR on a couple long runs before JFK, he told me to stop running after the race and take a break. What?!?!  

Three weeks off of land running. Ugh. How was I going to do THAT? Well, I survived and learned several things along the way, reminding myself that this is about the journey. What I learned:

1.       There are other enjoyable fitness activities out there besides running.

If you have been following my blog for the past 3 weeks, you know that I have taken a liking to the pool. There is something about pool running that is so soothing, relaxing and calming - and I get a good workout at the same time! I have also become reacquainted with yoga which I have always loved but just haven't done in years. I also tried my hand at Spinning and Pilates. I will make pool running and yoga a part of my weekly regimen.

2.       It's fun being a spectator at races.

This break gave me the opportunity to embrace my inner cheerleader at 3 races - The Jessica Schenck Memorial Turkey Trot, The Hot Chocolate 5K/15K and Jingle All the Way 8K. I actually had more fun than I thought I would and did not pout too much. I love the atmosphere at races and it gave me a different perspective.

3.       I will not become a weeble wobble if I stop running.

Even though I am not weight-obsessed, I really didn't feel like putting on any extra weight during this break. I was so ravenous throughout my entire training cycle for JFK that I really was fearful that I developed some bad snacking habits. I guess not "bad." I was eating healthy snacks but I was basically eating every 2 hours. Well, I found that there is a direct correlation between my activity level and hunger level. I did put on 3 or 4 pounds but I am not too concerned about it. It has more to do with the easy accessibility to holiday cookies and candy than my not running.

4.       My mind likes to play tricks on me.

I experienced some taper-like symptoms, especially last week. I started having all these phantom pains. I knew they were not real because I did absolutely no activity that would have aggravated my shins, knees or tendons. Silly. I have been running this week and feel no pain.

5.       I don't know it all and it's OK to trust someone else.

Trust. Ha. An interesting topic for me. I can tell you that I would have NEVER taken 3 weeks off if I was doing this on my own. Without someone holding me accountable and giving me permission, I am pretty sure I would have been out there running much sooner. George's words, "We are going to make you a faster marathoner" kept going through my head especially when I started to feel anxious about possibly losing the base I built. I have to trust. He knows more than I do.

6.       My confidence can come from NOT running.

Although my running helps me feel strong and confident, not running also had the same effect. It was a challenge for me. A challenge I wanted to conquer. I am proud of myself for sticking with it.

The break was the best thing to happen to me and my running in a long time. It was not easy. It was scary. My emotions, especially the first week off were all over the board. But, I learned to cope, adjust and move forward. I truly belive that this "optional" break saved me from having to take a required break either from burn out or injury.