Tuesday, October 6, 2015

After the marathon.....


I'm pretty sure that anyone who has trained for a marathon has had this mantra in their arsenal.

"I'm going to have a big steak...after the marathon..."
"I'm going to get a haircut...after the marathon...."
"I'm going to get a pedicure....after the marathon.."
"I'll clean out my closets....after the marathon..."
"I'm going to cook for my family...after the marathon..."
"I'm going to get a colonoscopy...after the marathon..."

Oh wait...that last one...I should do it....maybe after the Big Sur marathon. The prep is really like a cleanse, isn't it? And what do you think about cleanses? It's not even the prep that I dread as much as the clear liquid diet. I've done this once before and I was seriously hungry. That was the tough part.

Riddle me this, tho...why do they call the prep Go Lytely? Seems like a bad joke, really. Can you imagine the conversation when the drug company was developing this product:

"Hey Joe, what should we name this stuff?"
"I dunno...how about Colon Blow?"
"Nah, that's too harsh. What about Liquid Plumber?"
"Already taken. Plus we don't want to scare the consumer. Let's call it Go Lightly!"
"Great idea! Hahahaha! But let's switch up the spelling to make it look more scientific!"
"Great idea, Bob!" (back slapping all around)

Really, though, shouldn't it be called Go Heavily?



Man, that's a tangent...this taper is making me a little loopy! Ok, so maybe I will and maybe I won't have a colonoscopy...after the Big Sur Marathon.

Moving on.

We runners are known for our mantras. Our mantras sustain us throughout our training, they inspire us to be our best and help us push ourselves through those tough miles. Now that I'm at the end of the road, so to speak, this mantra is calling me.

What will I do.... after the marathon?

Truthfully, I plan on taking a little break from running. Gasp! I didn't do this last year after my magical Chicago marathon. I felt so great that I just kept running.

Against my coach's advice, that is... it probably was not the best decision I've ever made. I paid for it eventually with some shin splints and finally some time off.

But this year, I have independently made the decision to take a week or 2 off running....after the marathon. I've written a lot about how hard this training cycle was for me. I'm looking forward to resting my legs and finding my love for running again. I know it will be there and I bet that after a week, I'll be missing running and ready to hit the road for a few miles. But I can't wait to just run!

Goals are good!
In case I'm lacking some motivation to run again, I do have a few virtual runs on the calendar, just to keep myself accountable.

First up, on Saturday, October 17 is the Second Annual Slay Sarcoma 5k run/walk. I learned about this event from my friend Paria, who writes the wonderful blog Mom On the Runsanity. Paria has a friend who developed Stage 4 leiomyosarcoma following surgery for uterine fibroids. The fibroids were removed by a device called a morcellator. Basically, the morcellator grinds up the fibroids. The advantage of this procedure is that it can be done laparoscopically. Unfortunately, women who had this procedure didn't know beforehand if they had this rare cancer or just a benign fibroid. With the morcellator, there is the risk of spreading the tumor throughout the abdominal cavity. This story kind of hit home for me. Seven years ago, I had a partial hysterectomy to remove a large uterine fibroid. Several well-meaning friends told me that I "should have" had the much less invasive and easier to recover from laparoscopic (morcellator) procedure. Everyone has an opinion on medical management, don't they? You know I listen to my gut instinct, and my gut told me to go old school and have the abdominal procedure. Luckily, my fibroid was not a leiomyosarcoma, but still, learning about the risks makes me feel like knocking on wood. Like I dodged a bullet.



Anyways, the Slay Sarcoma 5k run /walk is all about spreading awareness about this risky procedure. I don't know if I'll be back to running by then since it is only one week after the marathon, but for sure I will walk. If you are interested in participating on Paria's team, you can contact her via the blog. She will register you. If you want to register on your own, the link is here.

Later this month, I have another virtual run from Gone for a Run. The Faster Than Boo 10k takes place Oct 29-31 and benefits The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation. The bling includes a t-shirt, bib, and fun glow-in-the-dark spinning ghost medal; you can add on cute socks and arm sleeves! Halloween is on a Saturday this year, so there's no excuse not to trick or treat yourself with this one! I'm thinking costumes since I work in the clinic on Halloween! This is one of the perks of working with kids. Last year I dressed up as Doc NP McStuffins. It was such a hit with the little ones that I don't think I can top it this year. One of my little patients suggested I dress up like a witch. A Witch Doctor NP?

Ready for your checkup?
Let me know if you plan on running this one so I can feature you in my recap!

And I do still need to chase one last goal this year...that 2015 kilometer goal (1251 miles) that I committed to via Run This Year!

Do you get a little wacky during the taper? Do you postpone life events/chores until after a big race? Do you have any unfinished business left for 2015? Want to join me in either of these events?


63 comments :

  1. EVERYTHING right now is divided into "before the marathon" (as little as possible) and "after the marathon" LOL. And man, there's so much after the marathon that it's crazy. (Unfortunately, get a new sink for the bathroom is before the marathon, so taper time will be shopping time, sigh.)

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  2. How about postponing a baby? Because that is waiting until after Boston :D

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  3. I will see what my coach has me doing. I start back up with a coach next week (exciting and scary for me). Perhaps some of his workouts will be amenable to a virtual race!

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    1. It's nice to fit them into your schedule--I use to shun virtual races but they really help keep me accountable (esp. since I have to post on the blog about those GFAR races!)

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  4. Seriously, everything in my life was before/after marathon. Right now I am in the after and have changed it to "after I recover", haha!

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  5. I think a break from running after your marathon is a fabulous idea! My good friend who runs at least 1 marathon a year never really took a break and finally was forced by a doctor to take 3 weeks off after the last one. She's also started physical therapy and now swims once a week for cross training. And - a low-key 5K for a good cause is a great way to get back in the saddle after your break. Good luck!!

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    1. 3 weeks is too long! Haha! I'll do at least one week, maybe 2 depending on how wrecked I feel after the marathon.

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  6. When I was in college, I went to the doctor on Halloween and my doctor was dressed as a scare crow. it was completely off putting because I never met him before (it was a big place) and our first meeting he had hay coming out of his sleeves haha!

    I leave stuff for SUMMER. As a teacher, I feel like I have all the time in the world in the summer. So I say in the summer I'll clean my closets, get a haircut, all that annoying stuff I don't choose to do during the school year. Sometimes, I actually do it.

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    1. If I were a teacher, I'd leave everything for summer...and I'd probably still not do it! LOL!

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  7. LMAO regarding Go Lytely. I think we are living in parallel universes or some weird something. Freaky. I had a myomectomy to remove a large uterine fibroid.

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    1. I really think we do have some kind of cosmic connection. I am so sad that we won't have an earthly connection this weekend!

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  8. THANK YOU so much for sharing the Slay Sarcoma 5K on your blog!!! And of course for participating as well. It's really all about spreading awareness! Your legs really do need a break, so go ahead and walk it!

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    1. I couldn't be more excited for this. The timing is perfect and the cause is great. <3

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  9. That medal is sooooo cute!!!!
    Glad you are taking a few weeks off. Hopefully it will help your tired legs!

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  10. I am dying laughing at the whole first half of this post! I love tangents... :) I took at least a month after my first marathon. I felt like I had been training forever and work was extremely busy. Good for you!

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  11. I am very happily ensconced in "apres-marathonville". I'm not running this week. Boom.

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    1. I'm looking forward to joining you there! Save me a parking spot!

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  12. Great post! I'm definitely with you on the postponing things until after the marathon!

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  13. I once postponed a dentist appointment until after a half because I knew I would be chewing shot bloks, which were advised against by my dentist. Problem is, I still have yet to go back....and that was in May...

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  14. Oh, I am always thinking "after the marathon I will........". I will no doubt have more time but it will more than likely be used to do something else. When will I ever feel like I can just relax!!!...lol

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  15. I am putting off getting a flu shot until after the marathon. Knock on wood! :)

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  16. I would say I put off some cleaning chores until after the marathon, but now it's after the marathon and I'm still avoiding doing a seasonal deep clean of my apartment. Whoops. I'm taking a 10-14 day break from running now that my marathon is done and, as bad as it says, it is glorious. I'm glad you're taking a good break to recover after all of your hard work!

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  17. I always take a week off running after a half even if I have another one lined up in just a few weeks. And that's just a half!

    I actually really want to do another half this year, but I don't think I can sweet talk my husband into it this time. Actually, I probably could, but I think he would be surly through most of it and that wouldn't be much fun. And my body would probably welcome a break, too. So I think I'll dial it back for my off season after this half, and aim for next march & VA Beach. Which means training through the winter -- there's nowhere to run here if we have a snowy winter except the bike path which is cleared for 2 miles.

    Our winter series (free supported long runs) ends in mid Feb.

    Sometimes you need to take a little vacation to fall back in love!

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    1. After a half, I don't usually take much time off. I probably should tho...

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  18. When I was training for my marathon, I was very much like that. And I finished, took about a week and a half off and found my happy place again. Now that I will never do that kind of training again, I feel like everything is far more manageable and I don't have to wait until after anything.

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    1. I have another marathon in April, but the training won't be nearly as intense. No goal time for that one.

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  19. Very excited for you ! I signed up for a destination race about 6 weeks after my marathon, so I would have something to look forward to. Actually I am concerned about being a bit depressed ... after the marathon!

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    1. I've had those post marathon blues and it's not fun! But I've got those 2 destination races, the Sarasota half in March and Big Sur in April, so I'm curious to see how I feel.

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  20. Woohoo taper week. I am not even sure what taper is. I keep seeing it. I don't taper I don't have a coach or training plan. Usually I ask my son to pick a number between two certain numbers and that is what I run. It works for me. Those runs look so fun, I am going to check my schedule and see if I can. I am so fly by the seat of my pants lately it is not even funny.
    bakingrunner.blogspot.com

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    1. I am also very fly by the seat of my pants and the fact that I already have 2 races on the calendar for next spring is really scary!

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  21. I am a big procrastinator! So I will use any excuse to postpone doing something I don't want to do! Now I will use you, I'm not getting a colonoscopy until you do- perfect and thank you!!!!! enjoy your rest you have been working hard!!!

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  22. I usually take 1-2 weeks off after a marathon also. I am so sick of running by the time the race is over, my mind needs it more than my body! Love that you dressed up like Doc McStuffins!! So cute and what a great idea!

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  23. I'm sure you're going to love some rest....after the marathon! The Slay Sarcoma Run/Walk sounds like an excellent cause. I think it's important to highlight cancers that don't get as much attention.

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  24. I have never run a marathon before, but I always have lots of "after my training cycle" goals! After my last two races on October 24 and 25 I have so many plans for ways I'd like to get active that don't involve cardio haha (after a week of rest, of course!) Best of luck at your race!!

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    1. I'll probably hop on the bike during my recovery. Easy does it tho!

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  25. Awh, I love your costume, my daughter would love it!! I have found taking time off after a marathon is much needed for me, physically. Mentally I start to get a little crazy, but my legs always thank me later.

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  26. hmmm this is a very good question. i hadn't thought much about what's coming after my marathons because i still have two races in november (not racing them, though - just running). so for me, it's more what's coming after i run 6 races in two months. lol.

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    1. Oh, I'd say that you deserve a break after that! It will be winter, and the perfect time to recover with your feet up!

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  27. Oh. Gawd. I'm STILL trying to catch up on EVERYTHING I "put off" during Ironman70.3 training. The interesting thing is... I'm hurrying up as quickly as possible to get it done so that I can go back to crazy-insane-training-life. Have no idea what I'll be training for, but I sure do miss the lifestyle! Are we insane? Or is it everyone else?

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    1. I don't think we are insane. Just driven and motivated! And I love to stay busy. It's been a little too busy, tho.

      What's next for you?

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  28. lol love this!! I have said "after the marathon" so many times in the past few weeks. I plan on finishing reading The Martian, working on launching my onlyine course, finishing my ebook, weight lifting, yoga...we'll see how much of it actually happens lol

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    1. I don't have any big plans because in January I get to do it all over again as I prepare for my bucket list marathon, Big Sur!

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  29. HAHAHA, I think that is my mantra too, I will do it after the marathon. I think take a week or two off of running after the marathon is a good idea, I plan to do the same after NY

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  30. All runners should own an after the marathon shirt so people will know what to expect when we're asked to do something and the wackiness is explained.

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  31. I did not go crazy during taper. I did not want to run anymore. My next race isn't till February for RnR NOLA Half Marathon.

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    1. I enjoyed my taper too. It felt good to pull back, didn't it?

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    2. Yes but even then I had no desire to do them. ;-)

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