Friday, October 12, 2007

End of Recovery, On to Taper

I felt good after the marathon on Monday - a little stiff in the hips, but no major soreness. I got up and taught Pilates that morning - the challenge isn't doing Pilates after a marathon - that feels good - no, the challenge is in getting up at 4:30 am the morning after a marathon. I got up, taught the class, then took a 30 minute nap before going to work. I took Tuesday off to sleep in, then ran about four miles on Wednesday, which reinflated the blister on my toe. I took care of that, then ran 4.5 miles yesterday morning. My toe was a little sore still, so I skipped the track workout, but not the post-track coffee. I taught Pilates again this morning, then will run five tomorrow and call it a recovery week. That will lead me straight into taper week!

I'm thinking five on Sunday, Pilates on Monday, and probably four or five each day for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Thursday night five of us will pile into the car and head for San Francisco. An all night road trip! Three others from our group are flying down to meet us, and one more may join in as well. We plan to hit the Expo and relax on Friday, shop, tour and relax on Saturday, then a visit to Emily's parents for a home cooked pre-race meal, marathon on Sunday, drive home Monday. It'll be a whirlwind trip, but a total blast!

Once we are back in town, I'll be busy. I took Tuesday off of work to catch up on everything at home. Wednesday I have to drive three hours over the pass to the eastern side of the state for a two day meeting. I'll get to go visit my friend Wynette while I'm there. I should be home again on Friday just in time to settle into the weekend. The gist of this is I will be behind on both posting and blogging for the next two weeks! I have a few more weeks of the online class left, and what promises to be a long meeting for work this coming Wednesday night too, so bear with me. I may have time to read posts here and there, but probably not comment.

While I'm in San Francisco, I'm looking forward to seeing a former Y Run Club member that moved away a couple years ago, and to seeing Elizabeth and Dori. Anyone else out there who wants to meet up in SF? I'm thinking maybe we can get a coffee together sometime that weekend!

I'll leave you with a few more photos from Portland (out of sequence) - enjoy!


Rob


Bella

Sarah

Admiring those medals





Pre race dinner

Cat, who I forgot to mention seeing in my report, so I am making up for it now with a picture!

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have decided that you are my idol. Wow. After my marathon I think I sat on the couch eating Hagendaas for a week.

Anonymous said...

I especially like the "admiring the medals" picture.

wendy said...

wow, you're taper week is my normal week. You go girl!

And I ditto Nat, I think it's incredible you get up to do Pilates on Monday mornings.

I can't wait til Thursday night! WOO HOO!

Jenny, Maniac #401 said...

Good for you getting so many runs in this week. My week has been the week from he**! :) I ran once. My hips were killing me. Dr. Doyle gave tme the torture today and it hurt, but I know it will help aid the healing. I am already bruised! Can't wait to run tomorrow and see how much it helps. I bought two packs of double shots for the drive! I am excited!!!!
Jenny

Sarah said...

I love that picture of Bella! I wasn't able to summon up as much enthusiasm. : ) Enjoy your taper week! You're gonna have a blast in SF!

Randy - Maniac #788 said...

Michelle you are a rock!!!!

Good luck in SF if I miss you later in the week....

I"m up at 3:30 this morning, nervous, but getting ready for our half marathon today.....why am I nervous? This is just another training run...on the way to my Route 66 Marathon next month...go figure...well we have a 2.5 hour drive this morning and the race doesn't start until 8:30 so hopefully the jitters go away soon....

Again good luck!!!!!

psbowe said...

That didn't take you long to get back on track...pilates the day after! Good for you, I skipped my Tuesday morning spinning class and barely getting back into logging some miles.

Well, make sure to have a good time, can't wait to hear how Cali goes.

Darrell said...

race, recover, taper, repeat. Have fun in SF.

I see Cat has one of those cool yellow shirts I like so much. 8-)

Sunshine said...

Yes, the fans on some of the Chicago streets gave a lot more that cheering support!
We think there is an Iowa marathon offering a discount too. Thousands were trained up to qualify for Boston and don't want to blow it. Grand Rapids MI has increased their cap and is nearly filled for Oct 28. We were planning to be there anyway.

May the Pilates give you the spirit and energy to charge through your next couple of weeks. Wishing you a great SF weekend and race. Amazing Woman: enjoy and take care!

PS.. Loved the Portland pictures.

Joe said...

Glad the blister is healing up.

You have a hectic couple of weeks ahead of you, M!!! Enjoy them. Especially the road trip to SF.

Great pix, made me miss Portland!!

Scott McMurtrey said...

nice photos and happy tapering!

Unknown said...

I think at that point my vest only weighed about 20 pounds, but by mile 23 when Eric took it it was a lot heavier. Tell him not to get used to it too much. I am going to want it back eventually.

Olga said...

I think Rob isn't looking half as bad as Eric claims in his blog...in fact, I think Rob looks pretty darn good, or I forgot how he looks at all.
Have fun in SanFran, love this city!

Sarah Elaine said...

Wow. You are one busy lady!

Great photos, by the way!

shawn said...

Have tons of fun in SF! Soak up the sun and try and try to experience some of the summer weather we missed out on here in Seattle!

Sounds like you are keeping super busy with no signs of slowing up. Do you teach pilates on the weekends ever? I've been thinking of trying out a class at the gym, but would rather take a class from you!

What will Eric do without you? Check the garbage and recycling containers when get home for pizza boxes and empty beer cans! :)

Have fun!

JustRun said...

Well you just have a great time! I can't wait to read about it all. :)

matt said...

i wish our schedule coincided a little better during the SF weekend :(

Well, I should be up your way in the next year for a race, so perhaps i can meet you, sarah, olga, eric, and rob.

enjoy your trip/run! if you have any free time, i will be running around in circles for 12 hours from 9am to 9pm on Saturday right by the golden gate bridge.

Anne said...

I tried to post this weekend on your race report and it wouldn't "take," and now here you are tapering for yet another one. I do admire your stamina. You are a poster child for Pilates too -- just goes to show how much a body can withstand if it remains flexible and strong to the core.

Jon said...

Read your race report. I say you're ready for Nike. Hope the weather will be good for you and for all the people I know running in California for that race. Kind of makes me want to make the long drive down there just to see everyone finish. :-)

Oh yeah, did you by chance encounter a very large brown/tan colored RV between miles 13-17 on the course? Apparantly local celebrity of Hillsboro, Matt Roloff (from TLC's Little People, Big World) had a difficult time driving along the course where the marathon course went through. It was a weird moment to see the Portland Marathon bibs on folks walking and running from the perspective of a large RV trying to wiggle its way down a very narrow road without squishing those on the course.

tryathlete said...

Enjoy San Francisco and the Marathon! Good luck.

Irene said...

Here thought Dori's blog! I'll also be in SF, but running the half! Best wishes on your marathon!!!

Irene said...

Thanks for visiting my blog as well. I get into SF on Saturday AM and will try to hook up with Dori and a couple of others at the Expo. It would be great to meet you, if we can work it out!