A lot has happened since Savannah, and I am not the best at blogging, as you can tell. Of course, I had that awesome runner's high after finishing my first marathon, but also struggled with what to do next. Once that big moment was over and I didn't have anything else on the calendar to shoot toward, it was a little bit depressing. But I sat down, made some goals for 2013, started picking out events, and putting them on the calendar.
Next on the list, an ultra marathon! If you have not read "Ultra Marathon Man" by Dean Karnazes, stop what you are doing right now. It is a must-read. Very inspiring book. The guy really has a sense of humor so it is actually very entertaining and hard to put down. You have been warned! That is what helped me through the lull I was going through and inspired me to tackle an ultra.
I had planned to do the XTERRA Triathlon at Oak Mtn State Park in May, but the ultra that really tugged at me was the Run for Kids Challenge 50k, also in May. It is benefiting kids with cancer. And since my mom was recently diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, this really hit home for me. This 50k is at Oak Mtn and is a 3.25 mile loop x 9.5 times, which is actually perfect for a first-time ultra. Plenty of aid stations and potty breaks! So decision made!
I had also signed up for Tough Mudder Georgia which is in 2 weeks, but it looks like I am now going to have to sit that one out because of an injury. I am right in the middle of ultra training and have developed problems with my right knee/leg. Has to be from overuse. This came about after a 40 mile week, the most weekly miles I have ever run. So I have taken 2 wks off with no running at all, trying to pamper it so I can get back on schedule. The decision to not do Tough Mudder is not an easy one to make. I have wanted to do this race for a long time now. But the ultra is huge and what I have been training for, and it just wouldn't be smart to try and run a mud run when I am not at 100% and just before a big race.
So I am continuing to pamper my leg with heat, stretches, Tissue Rejuvenator by HAMMER, rolling it out with The Stick, and anything else I can think of that might help...including a lot of prayer.
That's kind of where I am right now. I have 40 more days to heal and finish training for my first ultra!
