The day after the day before.
I spent yesterday at home, finally giving in to the cold I had been fighting all week. My throat was on fire and felt like I had been drinking hot coals. Fever. Full sinuses. And more pain in my legs than I can remember.
After my first half I think I had alot of trouble lifting my left leg. This time both legs can lift fine but going down stairs is a nightmare. I end up going down backwards. My calves hurt like you wouldn’t believe and the out side portions of my quads feel like someone has been hitting them with baseball bats. Miracle of miracles, the damn shins are just fine. :)
I had done my cold soak when I got home and then a hot bath a few hours later. Ibuprofin. Food. Protein. sleep. I’m not sure any of it helped but I can’t imagine how it could be worse than it was yesterday.
Today I can walk, but if I’m sitting for a while, everything is really tight when I first get moving. I’ve lost my voice too. That burning sore throat has turned into the yucky gooey sore throat and I can’t clear it and I can’t speak. My wife had a little smirk on her face when I told her about it.
Let me say thankyou again to all you fine folks for your support before, during and after the run. I needed it in the worst way too. Thanks! :)
What’s next? Not sure. I’m going to be following a 4 week recovery plan from Higdon’s marathon recovery. I may modify it depending on how fast things come back. A few days of rest here this week. I’ve been thinking about the next race and I’d like to do another half marathon. Maybe something in the spring but not the Martian again. I’d like something different.
As for the full marathon (remember? that’s my original goal?), I’m not so sure Chicago is where I want to go. Maybe closer to home will work out better, and I think Detroit might be better suited for me. For now anyway. I have a year to think about it.
I’m also going to be working on my form. I’ve been reading the ChiRunning book and I think he has some very good ideas. I don’t agree with everything he says, but the form ones are right on.
So, today is rest. And so is tomorrow. :)
October 26th, 2004 11:59
Way to go on your 1/2 - I really enjoyed reading your race report. Now REST LOTS. You don’t just have a race to recover from, you are also sick! Kick up the vitamin C and echinacea, and keep the recovery running slow and easy.
October 26th, 2004 14:56
Doing a local marathon does have a lot going for it - sleeping in your own bed, for example, and having your friends and local support group around.
October 26th, 2004 15:10
My man big Jon! Congrats man - sounds like you totally left it all out on the course - no holding back on your big your run - way to go man! Thanks also for the words of encouragement you left on our blog as well - very helpful and it was nice to feel connected as we headed out there like the “fools” we are! Congratulations again Jon - well done!
October 26th, 2004 17:19
So sorry your cold finally hit. But look how you held it off! Now your body is saying, let me rest. So rest:)
October 26th, 2004 19:46
Good for you - let the old bones rest, ride the cold out, and hit the ground running!