Life's little adventures, accompanied by a running watch

Thursday, April 19, 2012

DATDA (Day After The Day After)

Hot (jeez, there’s that “hot” word again) off the Boston Marathon trail, I’m back in Vermont for work.  The day-after-the-day-after (DATDA) proved to be all I remember it to be from past marathons – THE WORST!  So.Stiff.

What made the DATDA a little more dramatic was jumping into the car for a 3+ hour drive.  I stumbled out of my car at my work location and willed my legs to cooperate.  Once they got moving again, I joined my VT coworkers and began the fun retelling of the Boston Marathon.  My medal accidentally fell into my bag came along for the trip – what’s a good marathon story without a little “show & tell”?

So many people have told me that I inspire them.  Wow, such a wonderful thing to hear about oneself.  I think it’s less about an admiration that I can run the miles or that I had the guts to complete the task in the searing heat.  I think it’s more about the determination that I believe I can do what I set out to do; whether it’s a marathon or a project at work that no one else wants to touch.  At least that’s what would inspire me if I were in their shoes. 

It’s also interesting how many people admit that “running a marathon” or more specifically “running Boston” is one of their bucket list to-do’s.  To that I always reply, “You can totally do it if it’s what you want”.  Now, it goes without saying that people need to make sure they’re in good health, etc but from the personal determination standpoint, absolutely go do it!  Then when they offer up, “I can’t even run a mile”, I reply, “Neither could I when I first started”.  And there it is.  Believing in oneself is the only way to start a marathon journey or any other journey that is meant to be highly rewarding, yet not necessarily the source of immediate gratification. 

Fortunately, I’ve inspired these legs to become less robotic and more fluid today.  I even took the stairs this morning – down!  I’m feeling good and have got my eyes on a weekend easy run to dip my big toe back in.  Thankfully, the DATDA only comes once per marathon, so it’s now time to move on and set my sights on…..

….more to come on that [wink]!



10 comments:

  1. Glad you are back and starting to return to normal. I have felt surprisingly good, but I think part of that is how much more slowly I ran the marathon than I normally would. Also, we walked around quite a bit that evening and the next day, which I think helps clear the junk.

    You are a rock star to finish that one--a huge congrats!

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    1. I have a feeling my testy shin splints are part of my slower recovery. My quads, normally ticked off by the course, weren't so bad this time. My calves on the other hand.....whoa. I'll be fine, but it's just interesting to experience a different recovery to go w/ a very different race.

      Back at ya on the 'rock star' status!

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  2. Not to worry, the week-end is coming up. You and Scott can get a little R&R. Need anything special?

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    1. Totally looking forward to a weekend of "nothing planned" mama! XO!

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  3. Congrats on finishing a very hot marathon! Setting your sight on an ultra?! After you get some much deserved rest!

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    1. Thanks Tina! You "know" me so well (wink). I want to plan a solid summer training w/ some other races leading up to it. I didn't do that w/ Boston this year and I really missed the absence of those milestone races that build up to the big day.

      BTW, we used that hyropel product at Boston. Knowing we'd be dousing ourselves throughout the course, we figured it couldn't hurt to use the hydropel to prevent blisters. Boy did it work!!!

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    2. I know what you mean about wanting to be prepared - smart thinking! No blisters - that's great! Congrats again on finishing a very tough race!

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  4. Woo-hoo! I always wind up working the day after a major race - why do I do that?
    I work with a wonderful doctor (he's in his 60s) who has run Boston and is like a second father and a running Yoda to me. The Monday after my race I always leave me medal and my race stats on his desk - he then, in turn, clucks over me like a mother hen. One of my favorite post race rituals!

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    1. What a fun ritual! It's so great to work with people who "get" what we do and may enjoy themselves. Cool!

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  5. Excellent post! I'm glad to hear your light run went well too!

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