Life After the Race

Good news, I didn’t lose my toenail. It only came off a little bit, but since the nail is small, it barely made a difference. The pain is gone too. Can’t say the same about Jeremy’s though. His big toe is a hot mess ever since the marathon. Poor guy.

So, we pretty much have our whole year planned as far as running is concerned. Since the training and race experience for the Miami Half was such a success, I have decided to sign up for the Sarasota Half Marathon, which is actually in two weeks. It is in my hometown and where my parents live now, so it will be nice to run in such a beautiful course that I know so well.

We have also already signed up for not one but TWO full marathons this year. My first will be the Columbus Marathon, October 21st. I love Columbus, Ohio so much and since it is where Jeremy and I met, it will be really special for me to do my first full there. He is even going to slow down and run it with me. I can’t wait to go back, see the leaves turning colors, go to an Ohio State football game and hang out at all our favorite places again. We are also going with our friends Kevin and Marissa. Kevin went to Ohio State, so he is excited to go back as well.

Then we signed up during the registration blitz for the Miami Full for next January. If you signed up before a certain date, you got a percentage off, so I got in for around $40. Not too bad. That way, Jeremy can run it with his normal group and I can train with my Footworks group again.

I have been doing pretty well keeping up the running since the marathon. The only problem is thatmy appetite is out of control. I can’t seem to eat enough. Also, since it has been cooler the last few weeks, it has made it really difficult for us to get motivated to get out of bed in the mornings to run. I know this is stupid, since all I do is complain about the heat and humidity down here, but when it’s in the 40’s and the windows are open and you are under all the blankets snuggled between a warm husband and a purring cat, running just doesn’t sound like so much fun.

However, we haven’t given up completely. We have been running at least 3-4 times a week still and even manage to get to the gym every now and then for a lift session. Soon, we will be on a more regular schedule every week which should include lifting 2 times, two regular runs, one long run and a leg session/ hour-long cardio day at the gym. We just haven’t been able to get into that motivated place yet. Also, since Jeremy has been training for marathons non-stop pretty much for the past year and a half, I think he is getting a bit burned out.

To mix it up a bit, we have been finding new places for our Saturday morning long runs. Two weeks ago we ran up South Beach. We started at Smith and Wollensky’s and ran to the Eden Roc Hotel and back for a nice 8 mile run. The weather was beautiful and my new running sunglasses worked like a charm.

Last Saturday we woke up a bit later since it was nice and cool out and drove out to Key Biscayne. We did a 10-mile run through Crandon Park and back over the Rickebacker Causeway and bridge. It was a great day for a run, sunny and cool until we got to the bridge, where is suddenly got windy and bitter. But we finished strong and I ran it at the fastest pace I had ever run that distance. Then on Monday of this week, we braved the cold (low 40’s, freezing for Miami) to go on our golf course loop. I ended up with a PR for the course at 52:24 /5.6 miles, so that was pretty exciting. Amazing what cold weather and no humidity can do for your running. Here is a rundown of my last few runs:

2/5/07 - 5.6 miles / 53:33
2/9/07 – 5.6 miles / 53:00 (PR)
2/10/07 – 8.1 miles / 1:20:09
2/15/07 – 5.6 miles / 53:31
2/17/07 – 10.74 miles / 1:43:09
2/19/07 – 5.6 miles / 52.24 (PR)

All in all, pretty good, not too much slacking in there. Even got a couple of PR’s for the golf course route. Running with Jeremy has really been helping out my speed. Well, that and the weather.

Of course, it will be in the 80’s again by Saturday, so I will have something new to bitch about.