Falling behind on blogging, but not running...

I've done three 5 or 6 mile runs, plus a 16-mile bike ride, since I wrote last - so the running is going well. The blogging - not so much.

Back to my regular schedule, minus grueling Saturdays

I've been running about every two to three days, always 5 or 6 miles. My legs feel just fine and I've even begun to speed up again - after beginning to worry that I'd never break that sturdy, slow 10:30 Marathon pace.

My goal is to train steadily for speed, not distance, all summer. When I join up with the Roadrunners again in August, I'll run with Group 6, which has a 10 minute per mile pace, rather than 10:30 Group 7. Who knows, maybe I'll even move up to Group 5 after the holidays (although that seems rather unlikely).

Had a nice hike today - about 9 long miles. My feet and hips hurt, but the weather was absolutely perfect.

Sat. May 30 - 5 miles

This was my first run post-marathon. I've felt fine, leg-wise, for a few days so I was quite eager to lace on my new running shoes and hit the pavement. However, there is clearly still a bit of healing to do - by mile 4, my thighs ached and my right hip was sore, something unheard of in such a short and slow run. Still, it felt really, really great. I wore my new Marathon t-shirt!

My Marathon video - highly shortened version

Almost recovered - and some pix

After several days of walking like a penguin, my legs are finally recovering. I can actually sit down without having to use my arms to lower myself down! I went for a nice walk yesterday and should be ready for a very mild run tomorrow (in my new post-Marathon running shoes).

Here are some photos of the last pre-LA Marathon LA Roadrunners training run - group 7, natch.

How I've been spending my Saturdays

WOOOO! I'm a Marathoner!!

I finished the LA Marathon in 4 hours and 32 minutes! It was all fun and exciting, with plenty to look at along the route - until about mile 22, when the sheer agony in my legs and feet began to suck much of my enjoyment from the run. I felt like I was staggering the last four miles, although I think it was mostly in my head - my form stayed more-or-less a run or at least a trot. Never needed to fall to my knees and crawl, anyway - and I didn't walk, either.

Now my legs, and particularly the front of my thighs, are aching so much that I limp when I walk - and I have to carefully lower myself down when I sit. It was HELL walking down the Library Steps (the escalator was out of order, natch) on my way back to my car - I had to use the handrail and limp down like an old lady.

Still - all worth it! And as soon as the ache wears off and I can't quite remember how agonizing those last few miles were, I'll be raring to do it again. Sort of like childbirth...

Dorky Marathon movie to come soon!