The Aftermath of Running 100 Miles

So what is life like post-100? It's odd. I'm tired, I have no appetitie, and I don't feel positive that it wasn't all a dream. I also can not stop dreaming about running and get frequent calf cramps in the middle of the night despite feeling fine all day. I am covered in weird rashes and bug bites. I suffer intense guilt in surges when I remember being rude to a volunteer or abusing my crew and pacers in some manner (which I'm sure was well expected and understood but I feel it nonetheless). Everything seems a little brighter, a little more optimistic. I really don't care if someone cuts me off or gives me a dirty look. I ran a hundred feckin' miles and they can't take that away. Or at least I'm pretty sure I ran a hundred miles? The whole thing just keeps getting more surreal the further removed from it I become. I guess this is why people become repeat offenders runners. Something like that is just hard to convince your brain actually happened! But here's some follow up evidence.

Someone got this video of me running somewhere before mile 55 (I think around 40-45 maybe)! I go by from about 15-21 seconds. :)




Someone also took pictures of the mud! So I can finally show what it was really like!

Photo credit: Cyrus Taylor

 

And some new photos of me from Limoco Photography.

 

 

And my pacer, Ed, sent me this crying at the finish line shot.

 

 

 

And last but not least the good, the bad, and the ugly. Because I always tell it like it is....

 

I got my first mention in Ultra Running Magazine (and probably my last but let's pretend to be optimistic) for my third place finish at North Coast 24 Hour.

 

 

 

 

My feet survived just great. Heart my Altra Zero Drops! 

 

 

But I came back with a love bite from every creature in Northeastern Ohio, including some kind of nasty spider bite. I will spare you the pictures of the poison ivy from squatting in bushes over the course of almost 30 hours.

 

 

So there you have it! I'm happy, free, confused, and lonely in the best way... Oh wait, that's Taylor Swift. I'm just me but a little more itchy and little less tightly wound.

 

What weird experiences or reactions have you encountered after a long race?

 

 

Fresh Ink (& Burn)

I'm now in week 6 of marathon training and still going strong! I have to say that the more comments I get on here, FaceBook, Twitter and DailyMile the more motivated I feel to keep up with it. I can't let all of you down now, can I?!

Sunday was a little rough. I was scheduled for 14 miles but we had to take our niece about 4 hours away to meet her grandmother for a visit. After a 9 hour round trip, including a stop for lunch, I didn't feel much like running and the temperature was still in the high 80's. My wonderful husband wouldn't let me quit though. He practically shoved me onto the treadmill as soon as we got home and I felt better for it (once it was over!).

My treadmill resets at 100 minutes so the actual time was 2:32:25. Not bad!

On Monday I did an intense leg workout with my trainer. I'm really enjoying how much more I can do now without suffering (as much!) the next day. We did step ups with 10 pound dumbells in each hand, pause squats with a 10 pounder (hold for 2 seconds at the bottom), and lunges with 10 in each hand. After that it was calf raises with my feet at different angles to hit all the muscle fibers. I was stoked that I could do it all without an issue the day after my longest run of the training cycle!

The best part was waiting when I got home though! My package from INK N BURN was calling me to work out again. I resisted but I did try everything on right away! If you know me then you know I love, Love, LOVE INB gear! Maybe you remember when I ran the Lt. JC Stone 50k in 2011 wearing my Run or Die shirt? I do!

Somewhere on the way to 50k and still smiling in my favorite shirt!

I was practically bouncing out of my chair all day waiting for my lunch break so I could go try out my newest outfit. As soon as my time was up I rushed to the gym. I was only scheduled for 3 miles today but you can't be a pansy when you're wearing Ink N Burn clothes!

Could this outfit be any more awesome?!

Let me start the review with my first thoughts. I would NEVER run in denim. I can't imagine that I have enough Aquaphor to deal with the resulting pain despite the massive supply in my basement. So when I found out INB was making denim-print tech shorts I jumped on them! These have a built-in liner that fits like a glove, doesn't rub or move, and breathes amazingly well. The print is so realistic that I could probably wear these in public without anyone realizing they're not real jean shorts. The camisole fits perfectly too. The straps lay just right without rubbing or twisting and the built in shelf bra is supportive but not constricting. And, of course, all the seams are flat so they won't chafe. The print and colors are to die for too!

Now back to the good stuff! I hopped on the treadmill and I could instantly tell it was going to be a good run. My legs were sore but not dead and my breathing settled into a steady rhythm right off the bat. I ran the first mile at an easy pace and then decided to put my new clothes to the true ultra test, hills! I started doing quarter mile hill repeats with a quarter mile flat in between. I varied the hills from 2 - 5% incline and kept the pace the same the whole time. When I reached 3 miles I just wasn't ready to be done yet so I continued on to 3.25 or so and then walked to 3.5 as a cool down. I wouldn't hesitate to wear this outfit for my next long run!

Not a bad lunch run!

I'm going to try the outfit for strength training tonight. I promised my friend I'd help her get into a workout plan so I'm meeting her after work at the gym. There's no doubt in my mind that I'll be just as comfortable tonight as I was at lunch. And I'm really stoked about my first personal training 'client'!

Looking cute AND tough in the gym ROCKS!

The camisole even has a built in key or GU pocket.

The only thing that made my day even better was my Ultra Running magazine's arrival. I opened it up to find the Umstead results front and center! And, of course, my name is right there. I'm officially famous now right?!

Someday my picture will make it in there too!

*Disclaimer: I bought these items. They were not given to me for review and, as always, all of the opinions expressed are my own!