Recovery and Future Plans

So far recovery has been "intense". I took an entire week off following the marathon out of necessity. I really kicked back on this off week and cut out all lifting/core work as well. I did swim 3 times. I also ate like crap, and managed to put on a couple pounds, which was actually quite enjoyable.

I believe I have minor strains in the soleus muscles of both left and right calves. I remember my calves starting to go about 15 miles into the marathon and I guess this is what finally came of it. This may be the one and only time I really don't mind dealing with a minor injury. I've been icing/stretching/foam rolling it daily.

Monday: 8 days post marathon
I went for a 5 mile run on Monday and was absolutely amazed how shredded my legs still felt. My calves were VERY sore and to my surprise my quads were still toasted. Amazing!

Tuesday: 9 days post marathon
Despite the rough go at it Tuesday I felt better on Wednesday and stepped out for another 5 miler. This run went much better although my calves were still a bit tender. This really got me to thinking about recovery runs being beneficial to recovery vs. full rest. I'm still on the fence on this issue.

Wednesday: 10 days post marathon
Swam 2400!! yards today. I'm trying to be really conservative here folks. I felt like I could easily go out and run today but I reeled in my desires and went for a swim. My swimming is feeling really strong lately. Kind of makes me want to try a triathlon sometime.

Rest of the week:
I'd like to end with 30+ miles this week. I'll probably try for 7 on Thursday and 6 on Friday. Then, depending on how everything is feeling, I might run the Famous Potato Half Marathon. I don't have a ton of great things to say about this race but it looks like a decent course this year and I like to support the YMCA. We'll see..

Future Plans:
As much I tried to skirt around the issue of Boston the week after Eugene I could not get it out of my head. Everyone was constantly asking about it and I kept saying "I'm not thinking about it yet. We'll have to see." What a crock of shit. You've all heard the reasons before in countless other blogs of those who are trying to BQ or those who have BQ'd so I won't list them again. I'm in for Boston 2010. I've been scrounging around the web for deals on hotels, looking at the course profile, thinking about how to emulate that in my training. Basically the whole gambit.

As a small sidebar, I still adamantly maintain that I did not get into marathoning to get super fast or to BQ. I got into it simply because I love that feeling about 5 miles in when you are just floating. And I love teaching my body to do things that I *really* used to think were completely crazy. Oh. And I love eating.

Now that is over with, I'd like to take a crack at sub-2:50 in the fall. Currently, I would be too nervous to try this at Boston because I feel that Boston is not a PR course. After getting injured last summer and having to pull out of Portland I have some unfinished business there.

Finally, I did not fold nearly enough races into my buildup leading to Eugene. I plan on hitting at least a couple extra races this summer to flush out some stale PRs.

So here is the long term plan in all its glory:

Sawtooth Relay - June 13 - This is purely for fun, especially because my wife and I can run on the same team. We did this in 2007 and had a blast. This year should be especially interesting as we are sponsored by runningskirts.com so expect some product reviews as well as lots of interesting pictures come June 13th.

Main Street Mile - June 26 - I'm stoked about this one. We have a little sub-5 minute challenge going on at RWOL. A 4:59 is a HUGE stretch for me. I'd like to get some mile training in but Portland training starts May 31st. If I do get any in it will be minimal.

Missoula Half Marathon - July 13 - The logistics of making the drive from Boise to Missoula might be tough on this one. I had a great experience last year and would like to come and support the race as well. I'd also like to take a shot at sub-1:20.

San Francisco 1st Half Marathon - July 29 - Very tentative. I'd like to go down and visit my sister and run this race with her. Again, work and money might be the deciding factor here.

Portland Marathon - Oct 4 - Main goal for the fall. Gunning for a sub-2:50

114th Boston Marathon - April 19 - Uh yeah. Boston.