Recovery

I don't really know where to start with today's post! I feel like I'm still in that random, just want to get it all out frame of mind. My thoughts are so scattered still! 

I looked up my official time to see the standings, and I was off 2 seconds, so here's the official stats! 

I am really happy with my finishing time, pace, place, etc. I figured I'd finish between 2:25 and 2:30. If I don't count my bathroom stop, I was at 2:28, so that was just what I was hoping for! Hopefully they'll put the photos up soon, Disney had so many photographers there! 

It was interesting to see my 5k time at 34 minutes. That was the pace I ran my first ever 5k. My 5k PR is 28:56, however I was running a half marathon, and I was trying to keep my pace around 11 minute miles... so I succeeded! My 10k time though would have been a PR! My previous 10k was 1:08:51. It was cool to see my 15k split because I'm running a 15k on Saturday, and I'm hoping to be around 1:40-1:45, so that would be right on. The 15k scoring track was after the bathroom break, too, which cost me about 2 minutes.

I could look at the stats, figure my percentages, and stress about it, but I really don't care. I'm thrilled I finished and ran the whole time. That's what it was all about for me! 

As far as the future goes, I can't see myself registering for another half marathon any time soon. As it gets warmer, I'm less likely to run far distances. Also, it's just too hard for me to try to lose weight with long runs and trying to stay fueled for that. If I can lose the last 15-20 lbs., and get to a healthy maintenance phase, I might do the January Disney Half Marathon, I think in 10 months I should recover   ;)

I'd have to say that 10k's seem to be my favorite distance race so far. 5k is not much of a challenge because I'm not built for speed. Half marathons are a lot of prep, training, and mental work. But the 10k's are great for a little speed, a little endurance, and not much training. I can see myself looking for and running more 10k's in 2010. I also want to start varying my exercise... but that's another post for another day :) I think I'll bask in my Half Marathon (and 15k this Saturday) glory for a few more weeks...

So after I posted my recap last night, JJ and I picked up our guests for the night, two girls from the Newberry College travelling choir. Newberry was one of Lenoir-Rhyne's rivals, so we knew all about the school. The girls weren't here for long, but we had a nice time with them.

I had planned to cook a roast turkey dinner feast for us that required minimal cooking since I knew I'd be tired... but does a roast turkey dinner ever have minimal cooking... nah.

So here's what I made - Lemon and Herb Roast Turkey and Gravy, Garlic and Onion Roast Potatoes, Roasted Beet, Orange and Goat Cheese Salad, and Garlic Peas with Marsala Mushrooms. It was such a delicious dinner, I ate so much turkey! I'll have these recipes up on the food blog soon, I promise! 

After talking to a few people, they all asked the same thing - what did you eat after the half?! Well, not only did I have an awful stomach ache all day, but after running that far and long, I just couldn't eat anything greasy, fattening, or unhealthy. I was craving another Ruby Tuesday Salad! So for lunch, I got a Quizznos Veggie Sub and then had this for dinner. I was almost too tired to eat dinner, but the turkey smelled amazing! 

When I hit the sack last night, I was pretty much unconscious. I woke up laying the exact way I did when I went to sleep, and I never wake up that way, so I'm pretty sure I didn't even move last night! 

I was a little sore when I woke up, so I took some advil. All of the soreness went away by about lunchtime except for my shins, specifically my left shin. JJ said to roll a frozen water bottle on it, and it's gotten better as the day has gone on. I actually feel pretty good today (except I am still pretty tired).

So let's see...

Tomorrow I plan on taking the day off of exercise again, might take a little walk and do some yoga.

Wednesday I'm planning on some light strength training.

Thursday Lou and I are going to run the bridges one last time.

Friday is an off day, my mom and sister are coming to town! 

Then Saturday is the 15k. 

After Saturday, I'm going to a hardcore weight loss phase with food journaling, calorie counting, and varying exercise to lose 15 lbs. in about 2-3 months. I just want to get the weight off so I can go back to maintenance (where I'm happiest). 

And I feel the need for a little disclaimer: Before I get some emails about trying to lose weight fast or whether I need to even lose any more weight, I am still considered 'overweight' by BMI standards. Losing 15 lbs. will take me to the healthy weight category. I know "quick weight loss" scheme type things are bad, but I'm aiming for 1.5 lbs. per week through healthy diet and exercise, which is perfectly healthy.