The one about race recovery

My first week of recovery went well.
I was fairly sore on Monday and Tuesday, but nothing terrible. Normal stiffness and some tight calves, but no pain or agony.

By Wednesday I was feeling as though I had just had a hard week of training, and by Thursday I felt "basically normal."
My biggest "work out" was walking our elderly dogs. I was almost able to keep up with them. #win

Also, basically no snow

After a marathon where I manage to run at goal pace, I take my recovery time much more seriously than when something (life, weather, basic shit) causes me to run easier than planned. Both at Boston, and then Providence last year I was much slower that expected, and was not unhappy to get back out on the road fairly quickly (although I still had some very easy weeks.)

This time around, I planned to have a zero week last week, but I was having a terribly hard time getting a full nights sleep. After a couple days of tossing, turning, worrying about things that don't exist, and growing exhausted I caved, and ran a few miles.
It was a toss up, I ended up *finally* sleeping, but I stayed tired because I wasn't really recovered enough to run. The plus was that I kept my sanity. No sleep takes a toll on my mental health.
So, a couple of short runs got me sleeping somewhat more restfully.
So, rest- check. Sleep, sort of a check in that box. An easy couple runs, check.

In a completely random situation, Andy and I ran a few miles together. I went to Portland to run a couple errands and decided to take a short run while there. As I was preparing to head out, Andy ran right by my car. (neither of us live in Portland, or knew that the other person was going to be there. HAH!)
So, we ran a few miles together, and I talked a LOT. As usual.

Random run with Andy

Post race, there was one area that I basically failed in.
I did not feel that I adequately met my nutritional needs during the first few days after the race. I felt pretty well (I did not have gross mid race, or post race GI issues. Those can leave me feeling "off" for a day or two, but not this time.) However, I was very busy at work and had a lot of loose ends to tie up with a variety of things. Eric was out of town, and when he isn't home I get very lazy with cooking dinner. Clearly, I ate, but it wasn't enough, and by the end of the week I could really feel the deficit. I got back on track with being more mindful about enjoying some nutrient rich meals, and was feeling like myself in no time.

At this time, I have no plans for a fast Boston Marathon. (although, I would not mind being faster than last year. That would be ok.) I do not think I have enough time to recover completely and then build back up again, not to mention that it will probably be 300 degrees. Not fast conditions.
Once I decided to race at Hyannis, all my energy was put towards being ready on that day, and then being able to run for fun at Boston. Which sounds great! I'm really looking forward to it.

It has been a couple weeks since the last big pub run. Since some of my cousins were visiting, we drove over (like normal people, so weird!) for this weeks selfie to prove that we were there.

We were there!

And finally.....
I will leave you with this race pic.
We shall call it "agony in the deluge" which is quite poetic, if you want to be honest about it.
I should probably give a huge copy of this to my Mom. She has a lovely daughter.

Dear Lord