Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Sore Legs and a Recovery Run

Oh my. I'd forgotten just how sore a girl could be after a trail run with lots of climbing. I spent Monday and Tuesday easing myself in and out of chairs and walking like I'd recently had both hips replaced. I really wanted to run on Tuesday morning, but for once, common sense took over. My quads, hips and feet were so sore I figured I'd end up injuring myself. Add to that a work day that was starting at 7:00 am and ending at 9:00 pm and I decided a little rest and a day off running was in order.

I was still sore enough to feel it every time I moved in my sleep last night, but I was determined to run this morning. I told Rick I wanted to give it a shot, so he rolled in at the usual time. We decided to skip the hills and just go for a nice easy recovery run. Unless we drop down to the valley (which means coming back up), there really aren't any hill-free runs to be had around here - but we can go for gentle rollers and skip the big stuff. Neither of us had a route in mind, so we just headed out and decided to decide whenever we hit an intersection. We wandered over by the Y, then made a decision that took us uphill - not too bad. At this point I was feeling great - it actually hurt more to take walk breaks than to run. Then we came to the big hill by the college - heading down. Oh my. That hurt. We crossed the street and climbed again, then took a left. Chatting away, running along, not giving anything much thought...oops, another steep downhill. I had to slow down and take baby steps down the hill - trying to walk was equally bad. Finally got to the bottom of that one. One more downhill to get home - another painful experience. But I'm telling you - I felt great on the flats and the climbs! Anyway, we finished up with 6.15 miles at an average pace of 11:36. I'm not really sure that qualifies as a recovery run but I'm glad I did it anyway.

A couple of runs tomorrow and a 10 miler on Saturday will give me a 40ish mile week. After that it's officially taper time, counting down to Portland. I haven't really figured out what that means - maybe the hill run without the extra two miles, and then a bunch of five mile runs. I'm starting to get excited though - Portland marks a full year of marathons - an anniversary run of sorts.

Oh, and speaking of anniversaries...Eric and I celebrate 28 years of marriage on Saturday! I think that probably warrants dinner out...

33 comments:

Olga said...

What exactly is here?

Backofpack said...

I accidentally posted a blank page before I got the real one done! Whoops!

King Arthur said...

28 years!!! Wow that's awesome. Congratulations. I hope you have a great time.

Unknown said...

How far is Portland again? I am starting to think that it might be fun to run with you. It doesn't look like much running will get done before then.

Journey to a Centum said...

Time to pull up your big-girl pants and suck it up for Portland!

Any chance we can make 29 years if I keep making comments like that?

Work out those sore muscles and know that you are ready for 26.2!

Darrell said...

This sounds like the perfect recovery from you summit run.

The Cruisers have planned Big Sur as our 2008 club run, so I'll see you there. Yeah! Are we all still planning on Idaho too?

shawn said...

Happy anniversary Michelle and Eric!

Michelle - you are a true runner in my book! I love how you get out there after a tough weekend run. Good luck at Portland! Can't wait to see what kind of taper you do ... I can't imagine you not running during the week ... does Eric end up an innocent victim of your non-running self? ;-)

psbowe said...

Dang Eric is just too tuff! Listen to him...Mr. I ran 16? miles the day after a brutal 50K!
Wow, 28 yrs, happy anniversary!

I'm getting excited for Portland too....

Anonymous said...

Yep, recovery is not about fun, as a friend would say. Congrats on the 28th anniverary, Lorri can relate to your patience and perseverance at being married to a child. Aren't we great!?

wendy said...

well, I wouldn't call it a recovery so much, I like 12-ish (and flat!) for recovery. =) That's why you're a running superstar - you keep going and going!

I can't believe it's only been a year since your FIRST marathon! You've had quite the year, young lady! I think dinner is definitely in order.

Thomas said...

I think you're not yet a real runner if you've still got some common sense left that can stop you from running.

Congratulations to you and Eric!

Wes said...

Happy, happy, happy anniversary! Seems a lot of folks are doing Portland... So cool...

Jenny, Maniac #401 said...

I am still sore too. Really anything that involves going down. I agree too that it is tougher to take the walk breaks and easier to just keep going. I, too am excited about Portland and my 5 miler! :)
Jenny

Scott McMurtrey said...

i've rented a walker from the local hospital because my legs have been so sore. it's worked out nice.

i'm looking forward to portland!! happy anniversary you two!

Anonymous said...

happy anniversary! hope the soreness goes away soon :)

JustRun said...

Happy Anniversaries! :)

Mama said...

I hope you didn't have any problems last Friday because the rest of my classes were... interesting, for lack of a better word. I fill you in soon.
Thanks so much for the comment and the link. Made me cry.
Happy Anniversary.
Be Free,
Lorri

Olga said...

Just for kicks, running on sore legs is better than not running - break that lactic acid! And it's an excuse to go slow and enjoy:)
Congrats on anniversary, and don't worry about Portland, you're experienced marathoner!

runliarun said...

Did anyone ever tell you how stubborn you are? Just kidding. I am sure they did.

28 years? Eric is one lucky man :).

Sarah said...

Congrats on 28! I'll see you in Portland. : )

Donald said...

Happy anniversary! That's excellent.

Joe said...

Hope the quads are behaving now (Friday) for you!

I don't think you'll need to taper all that much. You will know what to do.

Mega congrats to you and Eric!! Enjoy dinner out on Saturday!!

Anne said...

Dinner with dessert! Happy anniversary.

Sunshine said...

A 40ish mile week ... Good job! You will have a great marathon.

susie said...

Happy Anniversary Michelle! And please tell Rob to hang in there...the first weeks (months) of teaching are absolutely exhausting.

Scott McMurtrey said...

Happy Anniversary!

Sarah Elaine said...

You have definitely earned the title of maniac. :-)

Congrats, you two (maniacs, both of you!)

Jon said...

Happy Anniversary!

Anonymous said...

happy anniversary!! :) I hope you enjoyed a wonderful day together.

- matt

Randy - Maniac #788 said...

You so rock in all that you do!!!! Good luck in Portland...as someone else has asked...what is the distance there?

I'm getting the Maniac itch...is that something that is for real...I believe I can do the 3 in 90 days (Tulsa Route 66 11/18, Honolulu 12/9, and the Houston 1/13) and I'm getting excited.

Keep on rockin'.....

tryathlete said...

Belated Anniversary Congratulations!

Unknown said...

Oh, and Happy Belated Anniversary!

Ms Eva said...

Happy (belated) Anniversary! :)