Recovery

Thanks everyone for your nice messages about my Steamtown race result.  It definately turned out to be more than a training run.

I am working on my Steamtown Report,  but unfortunately got a little cold post marathon sniffles that leaves me napping on the couch after work.  I hope it doesn't hold on, I want to do some speedwork in preparation for the Hamilton Road to Hope marathon November 1st!! I am also thinking of running a half marathon this weekend in Toronto.  I have some goals for that race,  Hamilton, and then CIM the next month.

Tonight I am meeting a friend for Hot Yoga, which is my favourite post race recovery activity,  which brings me to the topic of this post

What is your post-race recovery routine?

 Here is what works for me
-Epsom Salt baths (eucalyptus)
-Massage
-Extra Sleep
-Herbal tea
-Potato chips (seriously)
-Hot Yoga


So what do you do?

When one door closes...

another one opens..

I felt this way this morning anyway,  but certainly not the last few days.  I decided for a variety of reasons (which I'd rather not disclose on this blog),  that I couldn't go to run St. George today.  Instead I enjoyed a great 29K run with friends this morning.   I felt the best I have since Muskoka, so it was a good call on my part,  but it sucked to let my registration fee/Utah trip go.  Sigh..  next year. I hope I am able to get in through the lottery.  My plane ticket was credited,  so all is good! :)

I am running Hamilton Road to Hope marathon November 1st,  then CIM on Dec 7th, so this week called for a 29K ish run,  and next week will be a 35K/22 mile trek.   It is also Canadian Thankgiving next weekend so I have the Monday off work, as does Hubs.

Do you see where I am going with this?  (door opening!)

I have a long run scheduled,  and a long weekend.  (Inside voice: Why not run a full marathon instead?!!) 

I want a driveable-to marathon,  so after a quick bit of research on marathon guide these are the contenders.

1) Steamtown Marathon -  this course is similar in nature to the Hamilton course,  and the CIM course.  Some rolling hills,  but overall a significant downhill.  Practice makes perfect (I hope),  but the only con is that I have run PA state twice (2 Philly marathons).

2)  Hartford -  I would love to travel here,  nice flat course.  It would knock Connecticut off of my 50-state list. Cons being well there is no more online registration (just the expo),  and I am not sure it will be the best prep for Hamilton.  Laura also recommended this marathon to me.

I may not choose to run a marathon next weekend.  I am trying (its hard when you are a running addict...)  to choose my events wisely and not just enter everything.  If I feel good and recover well (so far so good), I will register.  Also I am watching the weather,  so no hot, humid marathons that are going to zap me!

I am going to cut this post short.  I am craving a nice Salmon dinner with a great glass of red wine,  and Hubs and I are going out to eat!! Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend and I will catch up with your blogs soon.  Thanks for reading!

Moving Forward

Thanks everyone for your kind words about my Ironman 70.3.  I find it amazing that some of you said you were inspired by me,  when so many of you inspire me daily!!  I definately will complete another half iron,  and I have an Ironman in my sights/thoughts,  but first I need to work on becoming a faster triathlete.  I plan on running a few marathons this fall,  but to keep up the cycling and swimming.  I wish I could keep doing triathlons throughout the winter!

In the meantime,  I have St.George Utah marathon on Oct 3rd.  At least I thought I did...  Hubs is having trouble getting the time off work so I may have to go alone,  or not go at all.  I keep wavering between the two.  In one respect I really want to run the marathon.  The course looks beautiful,  and I have already paid my registration fee.  Would you travel by yourself to a marathon?

On the other hand training for the Muskoka 70.3 had me running less than I normally would for a marathon.  I did run a few 30+ K runs,  but haven't focused on speed to any large degree.  This week I have been tired so I stuck to easy workouts (1 swim, 1 bike and 2 runs).  I don't mind just completing the marathon,  but I was sorta hoping to PR it or at least enjoy it with Hubs. 

I do have some other news. I am running the Hamilton Road 2 Hope marathon on November 1st,  and then I am even more excited to announce that I am running the CIM marathon December 6th.  My sister and brother in law are also running it,  and we are going to stay at my Dad's in San Ramone.  I hope I can meet some of my favourite west coast bloggers.  I can't wait to run a marathon with my sister (although she will be much faster than me)!!

Here are a couple of more pictures from Muskoka 70.3;

Swim to Bike Transition

Bike

Bike

Run

Finish line (My wave started 33 minutes after gun time)

Congratulations to all racers this weekend,  I look forward to reading your race reports.  Hope you all have a great Monday,  thanks for reading!!