Post Marathon Life Is The Good Life
Dear 26.2 miles, did you really just happen?
For some reason, it feels like it was all a crazy dream or something that happened years and years ago in a wonderful carboloading fantasyland.
Somebody pinch me.
Boop!
No Saturday morning alarm clock? Sleeping in til 10am? Oh me likey.
I like you running clothes, but I think I like my fluffy green robe better. We can still be friends though.
I took a week off from running, but have already slapped Hal Higdon’s Marathon Recovery Schedule on the refrigerator to get back into the groove of things.
Boy do I wish there was a way to rewind and freeze this moment all over again:
I have no idea who the lady in red was, but apparently we are a human chain.
The days following the race, I wasn’t prepared for two things:
- Penguin legs
- People’s reactions
My legs hurt so ridiculously bad afterwards. I kind of hobbled around like a wobbly penguin for 4 days straight before my legs started to feel normal again.
Weeee! My legs are stiff as boards here, but I’m smiling like a rock star!
Note to self: Don’t take subway stairs for granted ever again.
People’s reaction to my time also threw me majorly off guard.
“Well, I ran it in 5:29:12.”
:::Insert painful grimace here and, “Well at least you finished, right?”:::
Awww man. I knew they all had good intentions, but their reaction was kind of a Debbie Downer.
5:29:12 was definitely on the slower side of the spectrum, but I kept my legs moving the entire time and never gave up.
Happy Mile 18! Painful Mile 23. “I need my inhaler.” GASP.
Every time I almost beat myself up about my time, I just remember how far I’ve come. Like those hot summer days when 3 miles were tough. And I’ll only get better! A sub-5 marathon is totally going to happen my friends. When? Down the road for sure.
A few months ago, Susan told me that the days following the 2010 NYC Marathon, Central Park was completely empty— all of the runners had disappeared! I wonder if it’s like that now.. hmm I will have to go investigate.
—
To get out of the city for a bit, a few friends and I hopped on the train to Coney Island Saturday afternoon.
Tebowing,
Tarzan calls,
And the most ungraceful cartwheels ever all went down. Naturally.
Strolling outside in the chilly ocean breeze, it felt like we were carefree little girls again.
Oh yes.
This is the good life.
I can’t believe people actually say off hand remarks about your marathon time! That is so evil and rude. People suck.
I would never, ever feel bad about your time–honestly, it’s amazing.
But, it isn’t surprising to me because when one of my coworkers asked how long it took me to complete my first sprint triathlon (which I just wanted to finish, and did not care about my time), she literally laughed in my face and said, “omg, I did mine in xx:xx time and i am way older than you!!!” She probably said it 5 times. I pretty much hate this woman ever since that comment.
You finished a hell of a lot faster that the Debbie Downers who didn’t run it at all!
I don’t care what anyone’s time is – finishing a marathon is an epic accomplishment!
I’m in the same boat as you! My legs finally felt normal again around Friday….but I loved every painful step! And you’re right — just because you were on the slower side, at least you did it and kept moving the whole time.
I have to keep reminding myself of that too — even though it took me 5 1/2 hours to do it, it’s not like I stopped for a picnic halfway through!
Dude, you did great! Don’t beat yourself up!
At least you finished?!?! I’d like to have a word with whoever said that to you…
You ran your first marathon, you ran on a tough course (hello bridges!), AND raised a ton of money for a wonderful charity. You rocked it!!!
Wow! I can’t believe people said that to you!!How rude! I bet they couldn’t even do it. It is weird to me too because before I started running I had NO concept of what amount of time a marathon would even take to finish?!
You will totally get under 5 hours! This was just the beginning
Central Park was been crowded still! I think it is the nice weather…
I adore you more with every post you write. Sorry for any judgy people out there regarding your marathon time. It’s not like you were trying to run 7:00 minute miles! You did your thing. You trained hard. You ran 26.2 miles without giving up! That’s something most people (including me!) can’t say. I’m so proud of you and your positive attitude!
Oh man thats just not nice. Please tell then that marathoning is a judgment-free sport. You dedicated yourself, trained for and ran the hell out of 26.2 miles. You rock. Nuff said
I can’t imagine finishing a 26 mile marathon in 1 day lol! Good job girl and congrats
Coney Island looks fun and love the pics 
Seriously?!? Finishing a marathon, especially your 1st, is a HUGE accomplishment. Has the hater every done one? Probably not. There are so many unknowns and variables in a marathon that just completing the distance makes anyone a rock star.
Also, I walked in CP Mon after the marathon – COMPLETELY EMPTY. It was so weird!
can’t believe i’ve never been to coney island!!!
You actually make coney island look like fun! when people give you that grimace look or say something snarky, just ask what they have been doing on Saturday mornings. Most likely… it’s drinking at brunch or sleeping in, not working towards a goal. You go girl – you did it! and you should be proud… no matter what
I know I couldn’t have!
I can’t believe people said that to you! I, for one, (and by the looks of things, I’m not the only one) am really impressed with you! Dude. You ran 26.2 miles. That’s insane! Don’t let the crazy people get to you.
Loved your little video! And I think your time was AWESOME! I’ve totally loved following you through your whole marathon experience…:)
You did more than “just finish”…be proud of your first marathon! It’s been great following your journey as a new marathoner. And yes, post-marathon fun is definitely a nice benefit to all those months of training!
Congrats! That is an amazing accomplishment. Nice work. You set a goal and stuck with it, despite having yours ups and downs along the way.
Finishing a marathon is a gigantic accomplishment; on top of that running the NYCM is a an additional HUGE accomplishment. I’m training for a marathon, but the idea of the hilly NYC marathon still scares me. Seriously, F* anyone who tries to bring you down! Just ask them how many miles THEY ran that day…
Yey let’s run together one weekend when you’re legs are all healed up!
my guess is…whoever grimaced…never ran a marathon. id even go as far to say they never ran a half marathon. just one of the other reasons runners love hanging with other runners 24/7. im clicking my heels in happiness for you and everyone else thats ever accomplished such a feet (im so punnnnny) congrats again, and thanks again for your marathon tips for meee!!!
I think that is a great time, and especially for NYC! It’s a tough course!
Thank you so much!
Have a very happy Thanksgiving.
I would personally like to punch whoever put a downer on your incredible acheivement!! How dare they!
You did awesome. End of!
Well done!!
You have done well! Don’t mind the time, in fact it is a good time. I walk everyday, it makes me feel happy. I am yet to run a marathon though.
hi ! i have never commented before, but just wanted to say congrats (a little late!) on finishing the nyc marathon! and i miss your blogging !!!!
Thank you so much, Lia!
I’ll hopefully be back this weekend blogging. My camera and laptop both died right around the same time a few weeks ago.