I really can’t believe it has been two weeks since Boston. It actually seems like three weeks, so I am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing. All I know is that I still think about what happened that day A LOT.
Physically
Physically I’ve been recovering quite well from the marathon. I can tell I was able to recover more quickly after this marathon compared to some of my first marathons. (Boston was my 5th marathon.) It took me about 5 days until I was able to go down the stairs without intense pain. (A big accomplishment!) And then by the 6th day I was no longer was sore at all.
The week following the marathon, I only ran one mile in Maine five days after the marathon. Last week I ran a total of 10 miles, which is very minimal, but I DO NOT want to get injured again, so I’m taking it easy. My highest week of running before the marathon was 40 miles, so I did 25% of this mileage last week and plan to run 50% (20 miles) this week.
I ran 3 miles this morning and felt really good—no hamstring or right glute pain, so I hope that continues. I did have some soreness in my left glute from the fall off my bike on Saturday, but at least I know that wasn’t running-related.
Emotionally
Emotionally it is taking a little bit longer to heal from what I experienced that day in Boston. Like I said earlier, I can’t stop thinking about the tragedy. Obviously being there made for some pretty intense emotions that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I still often think about those who are still recovering or those who lost loved ones. I pray for a speedy recovery and healing for all.
I am so encouraged by the runs/marathons/training runs in honor of the marathon and the bombings that happened that day. My friend, Lacey, ran 26.2 miles within the last two weeks in remembrance of the tragedy. (Lacey, did you make it?) Plus, there are the t-shirts, fundraisers, etc. that help those who may need financial assistance.
(The infamous Citgo sign at mile 25.)
Next Race
I’ve had several people (in real life) ask me what my next race will be.
As far as my next marathon? I’m not sure. The road race marathon in Alaska (or more specifically the Anchorage area) are pretty limited. There are two major marathons—one in June (Mayor’s Marathon) and one in August (Big Wild Life Runs). I usually wouldn’t consider doing a marathon two months later, but I am really itching to do Mayor’s again. (I ran it in 2011.) I am not going to commit to the race and sign up yet because I don’t know how my body will recover, but I am definitely going to keep it on my radar. Maybe I could do it as a training run?? Okay, I take that back, that would never happen. If Mayor’s doesn’t happen in June, then I would most likely run the Big Wild Life Run’s marathon in August.
As for my next race, I’ve committed myself to the Twilight 12K on May 31. I ran this race last year with my sister when she was in Alaska staying with us for a month. Craig ran the 6K, which he is going to do again. I have several other races I’d like to run this summer, so I’m sure I will be racing quite a bit this summer. (It is my only time to race, so I have to take advantage of them.)
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Questions
Did you do anything to commemorate the Boston Bombings?
What is your next race?
Yay! I’m signed up for the Twilight 12k too! I’m super excited! I managed a 5 miler yesterday because I know I need to begin upping my mileage in order to run it. But now I’m feeling sick. Boo. Hopefully it won’t last too long. I’m glad you’re physically recovering well from the marathon. It makes me so sad to think about all those who were affected. I continue to pray that God will heal the hurts they’ve been through.
Weird. My throat started hurting today too. 🙁 Glad to know others are still praying too.
Have you run the Kenai River Marathon? I heard the course is flat and fast, but it is pretty small, I’m sure you’d be contender for winning it outright.
Oh yes. That’s the other one I could run too. I have never done the marathon by myself, but I have run the relay three times. It is just always *really* cold and windy. But I think I’ll check into it.
I’m also signed up for the twilight! Right now I’m trying to figure out if I’m running the mayor’s half or full. I have the opposite problem of you – I couldn’t motivate myself to run more than 5 or 6 miles a day this winter (9 at the most), so I’m not in marathon shape right now. I ran 15 on Saturday and it kicked my butt. Did you read that the coastal trail is being shut down (in phases) this summer? That’s not going to help with my training! Time to get a little more creative with my long runs.
No, I did not hear portions of the Coastal Trail are being shut down this summer. I wonder what they’ll do since almost every race in this city is run on the Coastal Trail?? If you really wanted to do a marathon in June, I think you’d still have time. If not in June, you could always do the one in August.
Hi, I think this will be with us for a while. I did run a 5K in honor of Boston the same week as the race. It was an emotional roller coaster. It was an honor to run in their memory but I was so depressed. At times during this run I was able to escape the depression and just think about the run.
I went to the Copley Square Memorial on Monday and posted some photos on my blog. I was so sad being there. I checked three stores and all of the Boston Strong shirts are sold. I guess that is a good thing.
I would love to be able to go back to Copley Square and pay my regards. It would be very surreal to be back there again.
Twilight race? That sounds like a night run. That would be right up my alley!! My next race is a 5K Color Run in July. Should be a lot of fun. My next half is the Biggest Loser half in Racine, Wisconsin. I hope to meet some former contestants!!
It is at night, but right now evening looks like midday since the sun doesn’t set until 10 p.m., so it isn’t dark at all. I didn’t know there was a Biggest Loser half–that would be cool to meet former contestants.