5 days post-Tucson

I have to start off by saying a HUGE thank you for all the congrats over Tucson. My cup is running waaaaaaaaay over. I am overwhelmed at all the support - it truly means the world to me!!! It helps me get up everyday and do it all over again knowing you're right there with me! Thank you!

Okay, is this shirt in serious contention for the "ugliest shirt from a race" contest? And to boot, it's 100% COTTON!!! Who makes those for marathon races anymore? It's seriously butt-ugly!

I can honestly say I don't recall ever being so sore after a marathon as I was post-Tucson. Ever! Ever ever ever ever. Well, maybe marathons from decades ago, but certainly not in the past couple years. Even my shins hurt! Huh? Guess I worked hard for those 13 seconds, eh? I'm happy to say that today I could actually walk down the stairs without having to go sideways. Progress is a good thing!

I had a great conversation today with the cross country track coach at school. His running credentials are incredibly phenomenal - including 10 straight Leadville 100's (he's got the big-ass belt buckle to prove it) so I value his insights to all my endurance training. I was telling him that by no means am I disappointed in my performance in Tucson yet I cannot help be slightly frustrated with the fact that I'm still in the category called "unknown" - did I execute my plan perfectly and have enough juice at the end to not falter so I could run a sub-3:45 marathon had that wind not kicked my butt (and everyone else's)??? Though I thought I had done it all correctly, I'm just one of those girls that needs validation. You know, so that I can tweak things here and there so I don't make the same repeat errors; the perfectionist I like to pretend I am and all. I played out the race to him in detail and told him that I never fell apart at the end, like I can do when I am not properly nourished, and that I felt strong at the end, even though that "strong" was now restricted due to the absorbent amount of energy I used to fight the wind. He reassured me that yes, I could have easily run a sub-3:45 and most likely, about a 3:41. I left work today feeling pretty stoked about my running! I think it gave me the kick I needed to fight like mad come Jan 1 to get into some pretty BA shape! It will certainly be a challenge tackling this new me without my old trainer but I do have a pretty strong focus when it comes to my running (along with the support of many - thanks, guys :) )...I think it's going to be good. I think it's going to be VERY good! CC coach is also going to try to set me up with a woman he trains with who was once an elite marathoner; she has a group that gets together and runs every week and he said she could also help me with some plans. Perfect!!!! He also gave me the book 'Born to Run' when he left my office today. Just cuz. Warmed my heart; people just don't do that sort of stuff very often.

In my post-marathon hiatus of non-exercise (aka: blob) I have practically ate myself into a sugar coma. Yesterday, for example, I ate an entire pound of jelly belly's. Wow! I really never do this .... 'Tis the season, the fact I gave up all processed sugar entirely for awhile before Tucson, and well, just cuz I know I'm going to give it all up again come Jan - I don't think a little indulgence for a couple days is going to hurt me. I just need to keep the weight in check and not out of control. While in Tucson, I stumbled upon this gelato place and literally, ate there 4 times in a 24-hour period. How insane is that? Here's a pic the daughter took of the place, it was gorgeous!!!! (it was called "Frost" - we don't have them in Denver, does anyone else have those??)

7 days before Christmas and here's the status: Tree: up but no decorations nor lights. Ut-oh; Cards: Nope, not going to happen this year. I actually do feel kinda bad about that one; I've always been the chick that turns herself into a mad woman taking pictures of the kids and getting photo cards sent out along with a Christmas letter. I came back from Tucson and realized it was never going to get done, no sense in stressing over it. I may do a New Year's card and letter but it just ain't happening before; Cookies: I made 3 dozen the night before last for a cookie exchange at work (*I* actually made them. Myself. Not store bought or even slice and bake, thank you!!). Scored a great cookie mix out of that little adventure. Almost all are gone now (see sugar coma above); Shopping done: Honestly, I have no idea. I need to dig in my closet and see if all children have equal number of items. That's all that really matters to them - that no one gets more than the other; Decorations: Nada; Outside Lights: Do a string of ghosts from Halloween count?; Christmas Dinner: Haven't even thought about it. Anyone know if anyone caters on Christmas?; Cleaned my house for company: Nope. OMG, I have a butt load of work to do. Tomorrow's my last day of work for 2 weeks - I hope to make a small dent in the next few days.

I've been reading everyone's 2010 running/race goals and I feel kinda like the girl who's left behind, sitting at home alone on prom night. I have to tell ya', I don't think I'm even going to make the prom. I'll do Boston since it's on my actual birthday (yea!!), if finances all me to (I am registered, thankfully) and a few local well-knowns and a 50-miler (I hope) but 17 races this year has left me just plain and simply tired. Not burned out from running, but I'm tired of the stress, the prep, the cost, and training for these races. I need a break. I'm going to look over the massive race list and throw a few on the "thought" list but no way am I going to bust my butt to make a list from Jan-Dec and hold my guns to it. A blog before the year's end highlighting where I've been this year is gonna come, I promise; it's been a year to shine but it's time to put that shiny platter to the side for awhile and get my body prepped for whatever it is I decide I want to do. It's going to be a good year, I think!

I have been a good girl like I'm suppose to be and not running this week and I have to say, I'm not even sad about that like I usually am for the mandatory week off running after a marathon. I do think come Sunday, I'm going to be ready to hit the road. I do have lots of sugar to burn off, afterall!

I want to close by saying that I'm doing okay. Each day is getting a little better :).