(Note: I kept my Soulfly flag until I moved this month)
Deep in the heart of taper week for the Chicago Marathon, my runs Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were done at a very easy pace and the miles were 6,5, and 6.
Monday I felt that continued.. ache that sometimes flared up at the bottom of my calf. No bueno, but it wasn't enough to stop me. I just took it easy. Also, I'm running from a new starting point, so I haven't gotten the feel for all my new mile markers yet.
Internally, this is my reaction to still trying to do last minute patchwork to my body:
Tuesday and Wednesday I had a rather unhappy stomach. I didn't give myself enough time for it to finish its business and I consequentially was making this face while I ran:
Tuesday my pace followed the pathetic feeling I had on my face, and dropped to a slow trot. I didn't kill myself over it, I was also trying to not feel any flare up in my hot spot in my calf. Tuesday evening I spent mostly unpacking, so my legs really didn't rest as much as I would have liked.
Wednesday went a little smoother, I decided to take some ibuprofen on Tuesday and right before my run, to see if it helped my ache/inflammation. It did. I still kept my pace slow as my stomach could react badly.
Highlights included a a side five with Erin @ Running Ruminations (a soon to be extinct thing in Chicago... BOO!!!) and I got to meet a super speedy runner I've been seeing for months 1-2 times a run. He caught up to me ( I heard the insane cadence as he approached - run without headphones folks if it is dark out!) He is aiming for a sub 3 Chicago Marathon, and judging by how fast I've seen him go, it'll be easy. Reminded me of how I was peaking in July. I'll get back there eventually.
I was looking forward to my physical therapy visit today, knowing they would calm me down and remind me I'll be okay. I got to the office, and explained my aches at about 180 words per minute, freaking out, and observing my therapist maintain a collective face through it all.
She does some checks on my subjective complaints and says that it is very tight.. my reaction:
She then works her painfully magic fingers on the tight muscles and scar tissue. I could feel the crunchies.. My reaction probably looked like this.. just with a little more pain:
She gave me some extra tips on how to loosen up the area, hopefully it helps!
And because Maggie @ Mag Mile Runner asked for more Ryan Reynolds Gifs.. my response:
Now for the rest of you reading, you are reading right? How is your week going? What is your go to meal the day before the marathon? Now respond!
