Driving from Chicago to Dallas

On Tuesday morning, I went for a run (and lap swim) in Chicago and then embarked on a long, multi-day trip in the afternoon.  I had come up with the brilliant idea that I would drive Mike's car (alone) from Chicago to our new home in Dallas.  Armed with hours worth of podcasts on running, endurance training and sports nutrition, I drove for about 5 hours to the town of Fenton, Missouri. 

I woke up in Fenton Wednesday morning and was pleasantly surprised to discover a paved running trail not far from my hotel.  Since this was going to be my only exercise for the day before sitting in the car for several hours, I went out for a little bit of a longer run.  The fall air invigorated me as I took in the fall scenery and enjoyed the trail that ran along the Meramec Greenway.

Running the loop around Fenton City Park

Enjoying the water and fall leaves

Another view of the changing leaves along the Meramec Greenway

I left Fenton late Wednesday morning and drove 6 hours to the town of Muskogee, Oklahoma.  I am not a fan of Oklahoma and had no desire to spend any more time there than I needed to.  So I awoke very early this morning to drive the final 4 hours to our new home in Dallas.  I was so thrilled and relived when I finally pulled up to our new place.  I loved walking through it and unpacking what I had brought.  After everything was settled, I went out for what turned out to be an amazing run.  It was a cooler, cloudy day.  I'm not sure if I had pent up energy from all the driving or if the DD coffee I had a few hours earlier kicked in -- but I had my fastest run since well before my surgery.  It felt so great to have my speed back again.  I ran from our new place over to the Katy Trail, which is a 3.5 mile trail that runs from downtown Dallas north to Highland Park.  I picked up the trail around the middle of it and ran first to one end and then the other -- so 7 miles total plus the miles to and from our place.  All told it was just under 9 miles.  I think I have found my new running route!  The fact that I run past our new gym (Equinox -- which I LOVE and which deserves another post) doesn't hurt either.

American Airlines Center at the southern end of the Katy Trail

Mike arrived in Dallas later this afternoon.  We are here until Saturday afternoon which means I will have a few more chances to get out and run around here until we finally move here permanently in November....

Schuylkill River Trail

I discovered the Schuylkill River Trail while visiting my parents and Piper in PA early last summer.  Since then, it has become a regular part of my runs during my visits.  I can pick it up about a mile from my parents' house, and it extends for miles and miles.  In summer 2017, I did many of my long runs on it training for Chicago.  This past March I did my final 20 mile long run on it before Boston.  It is a scenic, paved trail that runs for several miles along the Schuylkill River, through Valley Forge and on to Philadelphia. 

I had planned to run on it this summer, but that obviously never happened.  When I was visiting PA in August, I still wasn't cleared to start running again.  So when I arrived in PA yesterday, I was happy to get back to the trail.  I went one direction yesterday and ran the other (much hillier) direction today.  This morning was much cooler (and thankfully less humid) than yesterday -- and my time reflected that.  Despite the hilly conditions, this morning was my fastest pace since I started running again.  It feels good to know that my speed is starting to return.  I wasn't trying to go fast but just to maintain a comfortable pace and enjoy the crunching of the leaves on the ground and the sight of the trees starting to change color.

Fall morning on the Schuylkill River Trail

Recovery Week

Hard to believe that a week has now passed since Mike and I were running 26.2 miles through the streets of Chicago.  This past week has been focused on recovery.  We both took 5 days completely off from running -- something that neither of us loved but both knew was necessary.  My first run post-marathon was yesterday.  I went out for a little over 6 miles at a comfortable pace.  I felt good and enjoyed moving again.  In the past, there have been times when I have tried to run too soon after a marathon.  Inevitably that always seems to lead to some sort of injury.  I am hopeful that this time I can get the recovery right and build my running back up while letting my body heal.

I spent a lot of time this week doing other activities.  I spent extra time in the Normatec recovery boots.  I still went to the gym but focused on the stairmaster and bike.  I also swam laps twice this week which is something I really enjoy.  I think swimming is a great cross training activity and I love the feeling of whole body movement.  I might not sweat like I do on the stairmaster, but I finish each swim feeling like I really worked out.  Once we move and start at our new gym, I plan to swim much more frequently.

During my Headspace time, I have been working through the Sports Recovery pack.  I haven't really talked about Headspace on here, but I think the guided meditations have truly been beneficial to my health since I started doing them daily in April.  Headspace played a role in my speedy rehab over the summer, and the recovery meditations will hopefully help me to rest and be ready to start training again.

Finally, yesterday we went to get our post-race massages.  We usually get massages monthly, and the weekend after the marathon was just the right time for this month's.  It wasn't the most relaxing experience, but the massage therapist was able to really work out some of the tension in my muscles during the 90 minutes. 

Time for a massage

2018 Bank of America Chicago Marathon - We did it!

Yesterday I completed my seventh marathon (my third Chicago Marathon).  I am still in shock that it happened given everything I went through this summer.  Just 15 weeks post-op, I crossed the finish line with a time of 3:14:52.  I was a little off from last year's PR, but I wasn't going for a record yesterday.  It was, however, a good enough time to qualify me for the 2020 Boston Marathon by more than 5 minutes.  I'll take that!

The forecast all week leading up to the race had been ominous, calling for thunderstorms most of race morning.  Luckily, the thunderstorms never developed.  Temperatures were in the mid-50's at the start of the race with overcast skies.  It did rain on several occasions during the race, but nothing torrential.  I was so wet from sweat at those points that it didn't really matter.

Mike and I ran together for more than 15 miles of the race.  I wanted to run the whole thing together, but he started to have some pains which slowed him down.  He urged me to go on by myself and finally I did.  Ultimately, he finished less than 15 minutes after me.  I was so proud of him for completing his first marathon!

My parents and Mike's mother, sister and niece were all out of several spots on the course to cheer us on.  Seeing them gave me a boost each time.  Their final spot was in the last half mile of the race -- just as you make the final turn onto Roosevelt to go up a hill before heading to the finish line.  I felt great at that point and knew nothing could stop me!  I am grateful they all came and braved the weather to cheer us on.

So happy to be done!

After changing out of our wet clothes, we made it home for a much needed shower.  We all went out for a celebratory brunch and some drinks (wine!).  Moving around is probably one of the best things you can do to help with recovery.

Celebrating over drinks!

Later in the afternoon I went with my parents downtown to get some special dessert from the Cheesecake Factory.  I opted for the Reese's peanut butter cup cheesecake while Mike chose the caramel pecan turtle cheesecake -- delicious!  While downtown, I took this shot of the medal in front of the Water Tower, one of Chicago's landmarks.

Water Tower

We finished off our celebration with deep dish Chicago pizza for dinner -- a real treat.  It was such an emotional, exhausting day.  I was definitely ready to sleep last night!

What better way to celebrate than with Chicago pizza?

Now to plan what comes next....

Chicago Marathon Expo

Yesterday and today was the Chicago Marathon Expo.  Mike and I went down shortly after it opened yesterday morning to pick up our bibs and shirts.  We also did a little shopping for some of the souvenirs we knew we wanted.  I was excited to find a Christmas ornament, something they haven't had in years past.  Then today we took my parents and Mike's mom to see it.  We spent more time leisurely walking around today and picking up a few more items.  I have been on the fence about what shirt I will wear to run, and I think I might have found a good solution.  The expo is held at McCormick Place, which is a huge convention center on the southern side of downtown.  For all the people that attend, they definitely need the space.  This is always a great expo -- it's like Christmas day for runners!

Welcome to the Expo!

As you enter the expo, there is a huge screen that shows a runner's eye view of the entire course.  It's like running the marathon in five minutes.  I always get a little emotional watching it.  It is so cool to see so much of this city and to have the chance to run through so many different neighborhoods.  Our families really enjoyed it as well.

Watching what I'll be running tomorrow!

Mike and I are ready!

One of the things I love to check out at the expo is the runDisney booth (of course).  They always have the new medals for the upcoming marathon weekend in January.  I had seen pictures of this year's medals, but I thought they were much more impressive in person.  I loved this year's Dopey Challenge medal -- the biggest of all the medals for that weekend!

I'll be ready for this in January!

This has certainly not been an ideal training cycle.  When I convinced Mike to sign up through charity at the beginning of June, I intended for us to train together all summer.  When I got the stress fracture just after he signed up, all that went out the window.  My recovery has been pretty amazing.  I feel strong and more confident in my hip than I did a month ago.  Last year I couldn't imagine running a full marathon this soon after surgery.  This year I can't imagine not doing it.  There are so many factors that made this year's recovery different.

I don't have any real expectations for tomorrow.  I will keep track of our time to make sure we aren't going too fast (or slow), but I'm not trying for a PR.  I just want to be there when my husband crosses the finish line of his first marathon.  I want us to run 26.2 miles together through one of the most amazing cities in the world that we have been fortunate to call home for the last four years.  It is always an emotional experience crossing the finish line, and tomorrow I am anticipating it will be even more so.  Stronger.  Further.  Faster.  We are ready!

Enough said

5 days and counting

With just 5 days to go until the Chicago Marathon, the anticipation and excitement (and nerves) are definitely building in our home.  Mike's mother and my parents are all traveling to Chicago this weekend to see us run.  I have been feeling good on my runs this week, which are shorter than usual as I taper and let my body rest up for Sunday.

I am looking forward to attending the Expo on Friday and Saturday.  My plan is for Mike and I to go pick up our bibs and shirts and any special merchandise we want on Friday.  Then we can go back on Saturday with our family to show them what a huge event a World Major Marathon expo is.  I love spending time there, seeing all the different merchandise, and getting information about different races all over the country.  runDisney usually has a booth there where I'll be able to check out the medals for their 2019 Marathon Weekend in January.

Yesterday, the marathon released a picture of this year's medal.  I like the design, which features Grant Park and some of the Chicago skyline in the background.  I am excited for Mike and me to earn these on Sunday -- I know we will be proudly wearing it all day!

A preview of this year's medal