TwentySixPointWhat?

My quads are still a mess. They're like a rubber band that won't release. This makes me feel really stupid and vulnerable, especially walking around work today. It's an unusual feeling to be forced to walk slow, hold onto the hand railing on the stairs, and take them one at a time until the muscles release. Ugh. Is this a characteristic of age or a result of a marathon with too many hills?

Bare Bones Race Report: 0730: Leave home 0735: get gas 0736: Merge onto I-95 0845: take wrong exit on I-395 0850: use Google Maps to reroute 0930: arrive in Greenbelt 0945: Pick up race packet, shirt, number 1000: Run into Jennifer 1015: Walk w/ J- to race start 1031: Marathon Starts Mile 1: Bottom of big ass hill Mile 2: Between Mile 1 & Mile 2 hear someone in a car calling my name. What? oh, McGee!!! YES!! Mile 3: Strip off my long sleeve and pass off to McGee. (she's a lifesaver) Mile 4: Decide to walk for 1 minute at every mile marker (and walk hills when I feel my hear rate going up) Don't know how many times I got asked this question but I got tired of replying. . 'Aren't you cold?' (granted I was in a singlet and running skirt when most everyone else still had hats and glove on. .. but I'm from New York) Mile 7: We've just come down through the intersection if I remember correctly, I'm running strong and passing a bunch of other runners on ...

It's another beautiful day; now that I've taken to running when I want to run instead of on someone else's schedule I'm much happier. Ended up running into a friend towards the end of my run and was once again reminded of how crazy I am and seem to others. Heck yeah I ran an 8-hour ATR last weekend and am running a marathon tomorrow. What else is there for me to do? Now I need to go eat some pasta, hydrate and get to sleep.

Decided to run the trails this morning. I'm kind of addicted to running the trails alone now. There's something about being alone out in the woods; I think I'm homesick.

Got myself out this morning and threw down 4 easy miles. It was warm but it was a good run. Very happy with how I'm feeling and not so worried about GW on Sunday.

Made a deal with a friend to meet her at the gym. A little cross-training is good for me, so off to the gym I go. Managed to almost get a 5k in before she arrived. The gym is actually a relaxing place in the morning. I need to keep reminding myself of this.

Today's a good day to rest.