8 days, no running
I always take a week off from running after a marathon. I highly recommend it. It’s obviously a much needed mental and physical break but an added perk is you begin to crave and miss running again. That generally happens around Day 5 for me and I force myself to hold on for 2 more days.
This time around 7 days turned into 8 because I stayed up late Sunday night to watch the True Blood season finale. This season was a little strange, no? Thank god for Eric and Alcide or I may have stopped watching.
Looking ahead…
Today I eased back into running with 6 miles. I felt great, aside from the humidity. I may do a 5K soon (what?!) to see where I am speed-wise. My last speed workout was Broad Street back in May. I do have 2 HMs this Fall – Philly RnR in September and Philly HM in November. I’m toying with the idea of doing the Runner’s World HM in October. I haven’t pulled the trigger yet though. Bottom line – if I want to PR in any of these HMs, I need to get back on board with speed work. Sigh.
Final thoughts on the 50K and ultra running in general
Official results were finally posted and I came in 14 out of 25 overall and 3rd out of 6 females.
I think it’s always good to wait a few days after a race to assess how you really feel about it. That way, you know you’re not making rash conclusions and your judgment isn’t clouded. So what did I think?
It’s such a different experience than the marathon but I liked it. Really liked it. As long as there is no grass running.
I train by myself so the whole running-in-the-woods-by-yourself-with-no-spectators was OK by me. I’m used to it. It was like a very long training run.
I love that walking is completely acceptable as is eating actual food.
I love the low-key atmosphere. Think of how much mental energy you expend before lining up for a big race. The logistics of getting there, parking, bag check, waiting in line for the porta potties, and getting to your corral…it’s exhausting. And don’t get me started on the expos. For the 50K I waited in my car until 7:50 and walked about 50 feet to to start line.
The girl that finished 2nd came in at 5:15. I didn’t show up until 5:54. Where else can you have that much lag time between runners? Side note on the girl that finished 2nd: I did some stalking and found out she has a blog. She’s a 3:15 marathoner and a cancer survivor. She’s only 36. WOW.
I definitely can’t wait for my next ultra (already planning on a 50-miler!). But it won’t be this year. I want to relax a bit and just run HMs for a few months…and give my legs a break.
If you watch True Blood, what did you think of this season?
Do you like big races? I do Broad Street (a logistical nightmare) and Philly RnR every year. It’s tradition…I have to do them even though every year I say never again…
inal ultra thoughts 2nd place girl
I’m using last weekend’s 5k as an excuse to take a few days off from running. Oopsies!
I can’t wait to do Broad Street and the Philly RnR one year, although I have to admit I’m a little nervous for the Broad Street crowds.
I much prefer smaller races where you can stay near the start and have space running. Some company is nice though so I guess my favorite are mid sized races.
While I have done some big races (Disney, Boston), I’ll take a small race any day!
And you should definitely do the RW Half in October, maybe even the hat trick…I mean, when do you get to run a 5k, a 10k and a half marathon in one weekend?!
FYI: There is a discount code that is good for $10 off on the RWHalf but today is the last day for it. The code is RUNCHAT
Hearing you say you want to do a 50 miler warms my heart. I couldn’t agree more on the ultra atmosphere! Never again will I wake up at 4am and wait nearly an hour for a porto-potty at RnR. I’ll do other bigger races, but smaller ones are really growing on me. I think I need to get on board with your mandatory rest week after big races – I get sucked in to Daily Mile and start running too soon. I have to say, that’s making me feel better about taking a few days, maybe a week off now. So do you do any cross training, or it’s a full week off?
I always take time off after longer races, but usually only a few days. Good for you for sticking out the entire week! Its SO important to let your body recover!
i CANNOT do true blood but i do love a good zero week after a marathon. 🙂
they do have many annoying qualities, but I have to say I like big races for the most part. the crowds are always really fun 🙂 Hooray for rest weeks – already looking forward to one after NYCM… I don’t watch True Blood! Bah. Maybe I’ll get into it someday…
I always take a few days off and then run easy on the third or fourth day, but only about two miles. I agree it refreshes you AND makes you eager to run again. You make doing an ultra sound almost….nice. :^)
Which 50 do you want to do? I think you should pick a MD one. 🙂
True Blood was strange this season. That smoke monster thing almost ruined it all for me, so I was glad when that ended. There was enough shirtless Alcide to keep me going though!
Don’t really care large vs small, just want well organized! Glad you enjoyed your time off!
I love the reason you articulated for why you wait that long to run after a marathon and why you waited longer this time – I always can’t wait to get back to it and feel as if I need to return to my regular routine as quickly as possible.
I really, REALLY want to do an ultra – not sure how far I want to take it, but at least a 50K. Reading your experiences makes me want to do it even more! I laughed out loud at you stalking the girl who came in 2nd 🙂
I also love that you called Broad Street a speed workout 🙂
That is awesome that you came in 14 out of 25 and 3rd out 6 females. 2012 has been such an awesome year for you (well starting with September 11, 2011 when you qualified for Boston). I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the rest of the year and next year!!! Hopefully I will get to meet you in person very, very soon!!!
I just moved to Philadelphia to go to school at Penn, and I’m doing the RnR half too! I’m so excited. Do you have any suggestions for where to run in Philly?