On I went, out of the wood, passing the man leading without knowing I was going to do so. Flip-flap, flip-flap, jog-trot, jog-trot, curnchslap-crunchslap, across the middle of a broad field again, rhythmically running in my greyhound effortless fashion, knowing I had won the race though it wasn't half over, won it if I wanted it, could go on for ten or fifteen or twenty miles if I had to and drop dead at the finish of it, which would be the same, in the end, as living an honest life like the governor wanted me to. -Alan Sillitoe, "Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner"

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Post marathon running notes

Although I didn't really feel like my body needed it (or deserved it), I took four days off from running after that marathon.  On Friday, in Chicago, I did a quick 3m with my dad.  At least it felt quick; I'm not wearing my Garmin for the next few months, so I can't say for sure.  It actually felt kind of like I was floating.  Very, very easy miles.

On Saturday, I did just over 6m with my sister.  On Sunday she and I did 5m.  (Yes, with my sister.  Even though she's almost twice as fast as I am, she's big into doubles these days, so she squeezed in a recovery run with me.)  Those two runs were a little harder, but still nice.  It started raining about 4m into our Saturday run, which was refreshing (although cold).

My sister stopped to use the "bathroom" three times during that run.  We were on a well-traveled multi-use path in a very suburban area (the Prairie Path, if you're in/near Chitown) - she was mere feet from people's backyards.  Pretty weird.  The third time, just as she was about to drop her Nike shorts, I pointed out to her that she was quite literally in front of the door to the local Historical Museum.  With a bathroom inside.  Fewer than 10ft away.

She did take my suggestion of using the public bathroom, but the last thing she said as she ran through the door was, "Well, at least this gives you something to put in your blog!"

I would rather be able to report that my sister had learned sphincter control.  She wants me to share this (very disturbing) article about what the author calls "The Tao of Poo."  You've been warned.  NB: my sister was not about to win an Ironman during our 6m jaunt.  If there's cash on the line, I'm much more likely to say anything goes.
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5 comments:

  1. Silly Girl RunningTue Nov 16, 08:55:00 AM EST

    Post marathon running...yeah...I'm going to give it a shot tonight...but with the calf and all...I might have to pull the plug after 0.3 miles or so...

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  2. TTue Nov 16, 09:24:00 AM EST

    No, no, Silly, you shouldn't be running! If you are on crutches or were in th past few days, take it easy!!

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  3. MikeTue Nov 16, 10:06:00 AM EST

    There are several Youtube videos of that Julie Moss moment at Kona. Good stuff.

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  4. TTue Nov 16, 10:11:00 AM EST

    Good stuff, Mike, good stuff? I feel like that's some sort of new low for perversion right there. Still, I'll link this one because of it's inappropriate use of "Hey There Delilah":
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxNB_W1QgpM

    ReplyDelete
  5. KellyTue Nov 16, 12:40:00 PM EST

    Of course I clicked on the link. This is EXACTLY why I take immodium before long runs and long races. It's a miracle invention.

    ReplyDelete

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