Sub 4 Aftermath

As you may have noticed from the title, I am obsessed with the fact that I ran a sub 4 marathon and have no intention of shutting up about it. All weekend, I continued to  be in shock that it even happened. And let's not forget, I'm about to go to work, where I have some very kind coworkers who will be sure to ask about it, but let's be serious - only runners really care and understand. Before I signed up for my first marathon, I would have had no idea what sub - 4 even meant, much less how impressed I should be by it if an average, non-naturally fast runner accomplished it. So I need to continue to brag to fellow runners.

So, obviously you clicked on this blog, so you are dying to hear about the repercussions of running a 3:54 marathon. 

1. Activity level

Casi, Carolyn and I had grand plans of going out to dinner and finally seeing Second City on Sunday night, but as we left Carolyn's Saturday night, barely able to keep our eyes open at 10pm, we all agreed to lay on our respective couches all day on Sunday. When I woke up, Eric and I watched the TV coverage of the marathon, I sat around and blogged, and my greatest accomplishment was putting the laundry away. We did go to Target, but that was purely motivated by my plan to get a stool to sit on while I teach. I've been meaning to for awhile, and the pain in my legs elevated this to a necessity. Target is right by Qdoba, so that was a win win.

Eric's greatest accomplishment was putting together my stool (which was on sale!). BTW, teaching now requires constant access to a laptop, which is were I'll often be sitting.

It swivels and is padded!

2. Training

Somewhere during the marathon, Kara informed me we were supposed to run 3 miles the next day. I laughed at first, but as it was early on, I had plenty of time to get on board with the idea. When I saw on Daily Mile she had already done 4, I decided it was time to man up. If I want to run 50 miles, I should be able to run 4 the day after 26.2. 

Eric kept trying to take one where I didn't look scared. Wasn't happening.

I wore my other adorable headband from  Emily!

  
It wasn't pretty, but I lasted 4 miles. I also chose the hilliest route I could. The uphills felt great, the downhills were awful. The first few steps were just horrific. After that, it got a lot better, but still painful. I didn't wear my Garmin, but I can guarantee this run was slow. I did not walk though!

 After the run, the foam roller came out, and the real pain began. Eric could hear me moaning and crying from the other room. I followed that up with Yoga for Runners. 


3. Pain
Since I magically got a sub - 4 without even trying, and danced last night, which I believe is a huge secret to marathon recovery (worked in Shamrock!), I figured I'd magically wake up the next day with no pain. 


Not so much.


I have the typical post - marathon soreness. Walking felt totally fine, but standing up or sitting down hurts, and going down stairs backwards is the only option. Today I'm able to stand up without grabbing on to everything for leverage, so I think the foam rolling was worth it. Tonight is Bikram, so that may be interesting.


4. Runner's High

Last night, Lily and I signed up for marathon #4! It wasn't a crazy runner's high though. We've actually  been researching for weeks, and Friday we decided on the winner. Prices go up tomorrow, so we had to sign up Sunday. We choose it partially because of the date, we wanted to do a winter marathon, rather than a spring one, to allow us time to train for a Half Ironman in the spring.


5. Dessert eating
I'm all over it. Kara made us a homemade Reeses Peanut Butter cup, it is gigantic, unbelievably delicious, and brings me happiness with every bite. I'm also working on the leftover double stuff oreo PB brownies. Life is good.


What's your post race recovery plan? Is being incredible lazy on the agenda - because if not, it really should be.