Thursday, July 2, 2009

12 Miler down...and some work bitterness

Well as we all know, my half marathon training has been sporadic at best the last month or two. I really really wanted to knock out a 12 before Napa on July 19th, as much for my mental confidence as for the physical training benefit. I decided yesterday was the day, and I set my alarm for 5am to try to get it done before it got hot. The high yesterday was 94 and it was pretty humid. The first 7 miles were flat, then the last 5 were the Cooper River Bridge with its steep hills. By the time I got to the start of the bridge, I was super hot and tired, so I took pretty frequent walk breaks on the uphill portions. I finished up a ultra-pokey 12 miles in 2:22 (slower than my last half marathon in March) but at least I finished! My fuel belt was completely empty by the end, which is unusual for me, and I definitely had the cold-chill feeling. Oh and as I was looking at the very visible salt coating covering my entire body once the sweat dried, I decided to rub and scrub it in as a sort of makeshift salt scrub. Kinda gross, but also kinda cool:)

I came home, drank a Hammer Recoverite and took about a 15 minute ice bath, which sounded great when I was running but in reality I hate them just as much in the summer as in the winter. But they do work wonders for the legs! It was my first time to try the Recoverite but I really liked it. At that point, mixing some powder with water was about all I had the energy to make or consume, and the citrus flavor was not bad at all. While I was ice bathing, Rich made me a delish strawberry vanilla protein smoothie. I typically tend not to eat enough immediately after a long run, and then I spend the rest of the day feeling sluggish and yucky, no matter how much I eat later. After Rich got home at 9 last night, we walked the dogs which I think helped loosen my legs up. I slept in my Recovery Socks and then walked the dogs another mile each (so about 3 miles for me) this morning, and my legs feel great today.

On a side note, today is my Monday..meaning I work today and the next 5 days. Oh wait, actually it's the next 5 evenings, 2:30-11:00. I can't even log onto Facebook because all the "Woohoo 3 day weekend" "It's almost Friday" "I love the 4th of July" messages are just depressing me. Yes, I'm bitter. I shouldn't be, but I am. Working weekends and holidays and evenings sucks. I wonder how many alcohol poisonings and fireworks injuries we will have at the hospital over the next 5 days...at least it should be interesting.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great work on the 12 miler! So sorry you have to work! Definitely don't read my blog today! :)

No Longer Using said...

hey you got it done. i find just GOING the distance really does wonders for confidence. now you know you can, and you can work on doing it as efficiently/enjoyably as possible. i just got recovery socks and find they really are helping me!!! glad you like yours too :) i totally wore mine with sandals all day yesterday and even ELLIOT said it was a faux pas.... hahaha. your half is so soon!!! i didn't realize. i wish i was going to napa... ! :)

Aka Alice said...

It's OK to be bitter about working on the holiday. I used to work in the hotel industry...hospitals and hotels....there are no holidays.

EC said...

I work Friday and Saturday so I feel your bitterness!

kilax said...

What a tough 12-miler! Ugh! The heat is unbearable! I am happy you made it home okay and are recovering.

I would be bitter too. I hope you have an easy time at work!

Marlene said...

Congrats on the 12-miler!! I'm sure it was a great confidence booster for your upcoming half.

Sorry to hear that you're stuck working all weekend. :(

Jess said...

Nice job on the 12 miler!

And having a job with an irregular schedule does kinda suck when everyone else gets to enjoy a long holiday, but I'm sure there are other times when your schedule trumps everyone else's.

Carolina John said...

yea i get stuck working a bunch of weekends too. ah feel your pain.

Jeri said...

Way to get up EARLY for the 12! I think I need to get a pair of recovery socks. Sorry about your crappy work schedule. :(

Abby said...

Way to go on the run!

Lindsay said...

nice job on the 12-miler!! the smoothie sounds excellent (how sweet of hubs). i have a hard time eating enough after a long run too - never hungry right after and then can just never 'catch up'.

hope the work hours pass quickly so you can relax!

MCM Mama said...

Great job on the 12 miles.

Bummer on having to work. Hope it's not too crazy for you.