Weekend Wrap-Up

This week I logged just over 18 miles, which is more than I've done in quite some time. I'm avoiding putting together my "year in review" post too early, but on my long run Sunday I just kept thinking about how much this year has changed me in so many ways.

I haven't seen numbers like this in way too long. It's nice to be training seriously again.

Those posts always take some real effort to put together, so I need to wait until after Christmas.

Anyway, Sunday I peeled myself out of bed thirty minutes later than planned and went out for my long run. Last week I had posed the question about how to work my race and long run into the same weekend, and I decided to heed the advice of a fellow runner that basically went something like this: run long after the race; it'll give you practice at running on tired legs.

My splits were incredibly even.

That was definitely accurate. My legs were tired from mile 1, but I ran the entire distance without walk breaks and enjoyed the whole thing. I was elated and so proud of my perseverance to push through the discomfort! I just knew I could be stronger than my legs wanted me to be, and I was!

This was my second long run during which I wore the fuelbelt (the first being last weekend's 7-miler). It really is super comfortable and I needed the water. Because I was late getting started, it ended up being really warm toward the end of the run.

I took a new route; it was gorgeous and perfect and I was a terrible blogger (but great runner) because I was too into the run to stop and take any pictures. When I run on Christmas morning, I'll be sure to get some...especially if the gator I saw Sunday is out again on Wednesday!

Ahh...perfect ice bath!

After the run, I was hoping to jump into my parents' pool. I peeled off my socks and dipped my feet in only to find out it was freezing. They don't heat the pool when it's not in use, and it doesn't get a ton of direct sunlight. It was the most convenient ice bath ever!

NEWS TEAM ASSEMBLE!

After the run, Matt and I drove to meet friends at Downtown Disney to see Anchorman 2, which was hilarious and random but really poked fun at "news" channels these days. The theater has real table service, so we enjoyed snacks and drinks while we watched. We stopped at Ghiradelli's for sundaes before coming home.

All told, this was a great weekend! I'm trying to use every moment of winter break to its fullest. I'd say it's been successful so far.

How are you spending your days leading up to Christmas and New Years?
How was your weekend?
What's the next movie on your "to watch" list? We need to see The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and American Hustle!

ABK

A Long Run

So the official word on my foot is that the tendon is bruised. (This is great news!) I've been given exceptionally strong NSAIDs, and being the terrible patient that I am, I figured that if I wasn't feeling pain and could lace my shoe accordingly, I was good to run.

Today I woke up just knowing I would get my 15-miler in. It was just one of those wonderful doubt-free mornings. (I think getting the news that my foot wasn't fractured or badly injured really made me extra-excited to run today.)

I kept a nice even pace, and the first half of the run flew by. By mile 10 I was a little achy and in need of some distraction, but I never once though of cutting the run short.

Thank goodness for compression socks!

I had some tingling and aches in my toes, and my hips felt it a little bit. But I completed the 15 miles in 2:26:xx, with an average pace faster than my half marathon PR, so I was beyond pleased. I walked for fuel at 3.5, 7, and 10.5 miles, and took a little walk at 13.5 to wiggle my toes a bit.

I felt energized the entire way, and had no problems with breathing; my legs felt a little heavy toward the end of course, but I forced myself to pick up the pace in the last mile because I was so ready to be done!

Hurts so good?

Besides this milestone of the LSD being my longest run ever, I also took my first-ever ice bath! (Kind of.) I know studies show ice baths are mostly mental, but I think my feet definitely appreciated it. I foam-rolled, then used a tennis ball on the soles of my feet. Besides some twinges in my right hip, I'm feeling great!

This feels muuuch better! (Just ignore that pile of running shoes in the corner...Also, remind me to never give a thumbs-up ever again.)

I'm definitely looking forward to a rest day, though.

Do you have any runs or races this weekend?
What was your farthest long run in training? In a race?
How do you recover after a run leaves you achy?

ABK