all Tricks no Treats

After planning on taking the rest of the week off after Tuesday, I needed something to do so I ate. A lot of Junk food. Birthday Cake, Chips-A-hoy soft bake cookies, and chips and salsa was my poison. This probably wasn't the best food to aide in recovery, but an idle me quickly turns into a bad decision machine. I did make a stew in the Crock Pot Friday (inspired by Chef-boy-O'keefe) which came in handy for my Sunday morning Halloween recovery. Hopefully sometime Sunday I can make a big pot of pasta for the rest of the week.

Also this week, I got the awesome opportunity to work with Dr. Genadijus Sokolovas, former swim coach with USA Swimming. This Guy's resume is stout. He's worked with swimmers Michael Phelps, Dara Torres, and Natalie Coughlin to name a few. In short, having the chance to work with him was really not something someone like me, who taught myself to swim, could ever imagine. It was really special because it wasn't him standing on the side of the pool giving instructions, he used an underwater camera to film me then gave feedback while watching the different aspects of my swim stroke. It was really cool to see myself swimming on an underwater camera. Having him break down what I was doing wrong with the visual aide was really helpful and impressive. He really illustrated all the power I've been losing with wasted movement and really poor rotation. I can't wait to get the DVD and the list of exercises he suggest to strengthen my swimming. I guess it's right on time.

Which takes us to the rest of the week. After hurting so bad on Tuesday night run, my plans for the rest of the week was to not doing anything but Yoga and Pilates, with the hopes of recovering in time for Saturday's long run . Well I woke Friday morning and the tightness was gone so I was looking forward to pushing the distance on Saturday. Saturday gets here and one of my running mates came up with a new route, which was cool to change things up, but it wasn't the two smaller loops which are so convenient for inclement weather and water stops. So off we went from Piedmont Park on our way to Decatur, and of course it begins pouring raining. That was probably the sign for me to turn around, but of course adrenaline made me feel like it would be alright. This run was pretty hilly and I think the hills are a big part of what's bother my hip, but I didn't know just how hilly it was until we did it. Sometime around the 6 mile mark I began laboring up and down the hills and realized there was no way I would mke it 20. With the run becomming a lot more physical and less mental around mile 8, I had to announce that i was going to head back to park. The next 2 or so miles or walk/running were miserable. Not only was I in pain, I was also soaked and the temperature was steadily dropping. So at about 10 miles I made the decision I should just catch a Cab back to my car. Walking soaked and cold and hurting wasn't worth the chance of being sick and hurting. While it would have been nice to push the last 3 or 4 miles I just absolutely couldn't do it. I was completely tapped mentally and physically. Now I am taking a week off (hopefully only a week) to give myself a break in hopes that I can push through these hip flexor problems. That gives all my running buddies a week or so to come up with some decent jokes.

Talking tomy fellow runners, everyone seems to think i've added too many miles too fast. That definitely could be the case (didn't start til MFHP though just saying). I have never ever ran as exercise before March. While extremely motivated by my dream of completing the Ironman nex tyear, I have to be more patient and smart about listening to my body. I'm still very hopeful I can complete two marathons before the Triathlon season picks back up, but we will see. Hooray for clearance Halloween Candy (not as good as easter but i'll take it).