MY ACHY BREAKY LEGS!

Now that the half marathon is over and I am trying to walk around my house, neighborhood and work place with a smile. . .it is time to ReCoVER! I look like CrAzY troll walking around, bent over and taking little tiny steps so that I don't have to feel my calves! That is the only place on my body that is in pain which is pretty good.  I have run 8 half marathons and 2 marathons and countless 5K and 10K runs.  When I decide to make the run a race, I have experienced everything from a stomach issues, back problems, feet and head issues! If you are a runner, you know I don't need to explain, you know exactly from where I am coming from!

4:45AM waiting for the start to begin!

The run went well and even though I didn't make my goal time of 1:39, I did run a 1:41 which is a personal best for me! Now, for me to run anything over a 5K run is amazing because I am true sprinter on a track and I am 40 years old this year! If someone told me 20 years ago that I would still be running at 40 years of age, I would have laughed! Not because I would be running but because I never would have thought I would be 40! LOL!  AFC half is a tough run.  At mile 11.5 the incline begins and it lasts for a full mile! This will be my 4th time running the AFC half and this will be the 3rd time that hill has handed me my butt and said "try again, sista!"!!!

I was ready for this event but not mentally.  At mile 2 I took off towards the left when the course was heading to the right! At mile 5 I started to feel the run and said to myself "What the HECK are you doing out here?" and by mile 10. . .well, I wanted to grab a burger and tell everyone, "yeah, I'm done. . .see ya!" So, it is amazing that I finished and smiled about it! . . .I know, so much for Motivational Mondays!

8200 runners for the day! Maximum and Largest Crowd for AFC! 

This is what becomes frustrating for runners.  I was on pace the entire race and better than expected.  When I hit mile 11.5 my goal was NOT to stop! I stopped 2 times because I truly believed my calf muscles would split open and pull themselves out of my legs.  Graphic? Yes, I know, that is exactly how they felt.  So, I got back on the hill half way through and just kept stepping.  That would have to be the hardest part of the run! This race will see me again next year! LOL!

For those of you that are recovering from your weekend run, check out the following tips that, as a trainer and running coach, I suggest to my team mates and clients!

• Take 5 days - one week off from running.  Let your legs recover and help muscle rebuild itself without added pressure to the legs.
• Continue to take YOUR daily dose of protein.  This will help in the rebuilding the muscles you broke down during the run.
• Cross train.  This is a great way to keep your endurance and strength up while taking a break from running. Swimming / Yoga / Cycling are a fantastic way keep the body moving.
• Sometimes it is tough to have an appetite immediately following a long run, make sure you continue to feed yourself properly throughout the week.  Your immune system has not been lowered and you have to stay healthy.  So make sure you keep your environment clean, eat the right foods and become friends with "Ms. Vitamin C"!
• Water, water and WATER! Stay hydrated and keep drinking your water.  If water is boring to you add a favorite flavor to get your taste buds going and keep you drinking that water!
• Stretch, stretch and STICK IT! Yes, you read correctly, make sure you stretch through traditional static stretching, assisted stretching and/or get on the foam roller and use "The Stick" to help get those tight muscles lose and ready for the next run.

It is so important to take care of yourself POST marathon or any running event.  If you love running, you will take care of your body to be ready for your next run! 

Jeffery, Charlotte and myself ALL received personal best!

As always, Be Strong, Be Safe and Run Happy! Let's GO!