Recovery Run

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PLEASE VOTE for Operation Beautiful to win the Amway Positivity Project! If I win, I’m donating the ENTIRE $10,000 PRIZE to Girls on the Run International, a self-esteem building program for 8 – 10 year old girls (it’s the running program that I volunteer with once a week).  No registration required to vote – just a little click!   :)  You can vote once a day until mid-November!

 

There’s a reason that I’ve only done two marathons:  the recovery!  Oh, I hate recovery.  I miss regular (soreness-free) exercise so much.

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72 hours after the Spinx Marathon, my legs still feel pretty sore, and my ankles are feeling a little tight (which makes me think I need new shoes).   So far, I’ve played it safe with post-marathon exercise, opting for a gentle bike ride on Sunday and a complete rest day yesterday.  But I really wanted to RUN a little bit today!

 

I left my Garmin 305 at home so I wouldn’t feel pressured to run a certain distance or maintain pace.

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(FYI:  Best way to carry a housekey on a run.)

 

I think I ran 2.0 miles or so in 25 minutes.  I took a lot of walking breaks and listened to my body carefully.  I also ran in the grass when possible to make the run more joint-friendly.  My ankle felt better the more I ran – in some ways, I think it just needs to be loosened up.  Yoga would probably be clutch. 

 

I’m really glad I’ve decided to drop down to the Thunder Road Half Marathon instead of doing another Marathon in six weeks.  I love the glory of marathons, but man – they hurt (for me at least).  🙂

 

Post-run lunch was fast and simple:

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It was fast because I cooked nearly the entire thing on my George Foreman!

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I sliced a block of extra firm tofu (didn’t even bother to press or flavor it), cut up some carrots, and dug out a bag of frozen corn.  Everything went on the Foreman and grilled for about 10 minutes.

 

Mixed with steamed spinach and quinoa.  Plus some balsamic dressing for flavor.

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Simple but wholesome.  Just what my body needs today!

 

Oh and THANK you for helping me find a reason to be happy! I loved your lists. :)  There are many reasons to smile today.  I am now in a much better mood!

{ 77 comments }

 

  • Lindsay Perrone (goodiesgalore) November 2, 2010, 1:12 pm

    Were those carrots still hard as rocks?

  • Holly @ couchpotatoathlete November 2, 2010, 1:14 pm

    Ah good ole George the rescue again 🙂

    I’m glad your run went well — but I can’t believe you run with your rings on! My fingers just swell up when I exercise and it makes my rings feel painful. Maybe its just me 😛

    • Caitlin November 2, 2010, 1:15 pm

      I think that has something to do with electrolytes? Maybe other runners can share their experiences.

      I never ever take off my rings! I sleep, shower, and exercise in them.

      • Holly @ couchpotatoathlete November 2, 2010, 1:18 pm

        I don’t shower or sleep with them on either — maybe we should have gotten tattoo wedding rings like Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee — then I couldn’t take them off 🙂

        • Jazz November 2, 2010, 1:35 pm

          I take mine off as soon as I get home – I’m paranoid about losing one down the drain or something! Plus they get all gooey when I bake..

        • Sara November 2, 2010, 3:22 pm

          Same with me on the rings. Soon as I get home from work, they’re off. If I wash my hands with them on, I get a rash … and I have the same swelling issues. 🙁

      • Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine November 2, 2010, 1:54 pm

        I can’t wear rings either! Whenever I forget I have to force them off with soap and cold water.

      • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday November 2, 2010, 2:13 pm

        I rarely wear my wedding ring and I ALWAYS have to take it off. When I run my hands swell up and then I can’t get them off.
        And I obviously can’t wear them when I weightlift.

        • Leanne @ Simplicitlee November 2, 2010, 3:13 pm

          My fingers always swell up too… I can’t stand working out with jewellery on!

        • Holly @ couchpotatoathlete November 2, 2010, 3:25 pm

          Glad I’m not alone — Jason and I both take our rings off and leave them on the kitchen counter — my sister thinks that is so strange that we don’t wear them 24/7.

  • Caitlyn (A Spoonful of Life) November 2, 2010, 1:15 pm

    What a very colorful lunch! It made me *smile* just looking at it!!

  • Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin November 2, 2010, 1:18 pm

    Wow I love using one piece of cookware to cook a whole meal! That looks amazing! I have to try grilling tofu that way…

  • Heather November 2, 2010, 1:24 pm

    I feel your pain. I only ran a half marathon this weekend and I still hurt!

  • Reenie November 2, 2010, 1:30 pm

    Caitlin ~ I’m just curious. Do you wear any type of ID on you when you are on your runs? I ordered a road ID several years ago. On it I have my name, 2 contacts and their phone numbers, and “no allergies known”.

    I’m not in anyway affiliated with road ID….just wanted to pass this along to you, or any of your readers that didn’t know (like me) that something like this existed 🙂

    http://www.roadid.com/Common/default.aspx

    • Caitlin November 2, 2010, 1:41 pm

      Yup! I have the road ID dog tags 🙂

  • Katie @ peacebeme November 2, 2010, 1:31 pm

    I voted! My sister also volunteers for Girls on the Run.

    I have been craving tofu so much lately, your pictures always look so good.

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat November 2, 2010, 1:39 pm

    I think you’re making the right decision about the marathon. Like you said, it’s best not to set yourself up to fail. Your lunch looks absolutely delicious! I’m not a big tofu eater but happen to have some sitting in my fridge at the moment.. and am quite certain I will be eating it in the George Foreman-ized form!

  • Kelly November 2, 2010, 1:41 pm

    How do you run with your rings on?! My fingers get so swollen and puffy I feel like they would never come off!

  • Maddie November 2, 2010, 1:43 pm

    Sorry you are sill sore! Looks like you had a great lunch. I love tofu!

  • *Andrea* November 2, 2010, 1:48 pm

    love a quick and easy meal!! how did you cook the quinoa?
    definitely will vote today! so amazing that you’re donating to such a great organization : )

    • Caitlin November 2, 2010, 1:49 pm

      Just boil for 5 minutes and drain!

      • *Andrea* November 2, 2010, 1:54 pm

        excellent! thank you! don’t know why i don’t cook this more often

  • Corey @ The Runner's Cookie November 2, 2010, 1:48 pm

    A good reminder to use my george forman more often when I want a quick dinner! Thanks!

  • Dawn (HealthySDLiving) November 2, 2010, 1:50 pm

    Lunch looks great-I need to look into getting one of those grills to save some time!

  • christina cadden November 2, 2010, 1:50 pm

    The only time I have ever tried tofu is in miso soup and I love it! I need to try it grilled.

  • The Hot and Fit November 2, 2010, 1:51 pm

    I love the fast and easy lunch of the George Foreman!! Excellent idea!

  • Michele @ Healthy Cultivations November 2, 2010, 1:52 pm

    Love the key idea. I never know where to put my keys. Sometimes, I carry them. Sometimes, I put them in my bra. Sometimes, I curse having to keep them at all. How do you handle the key situation when you have your car keys with you too?

    • Caitlin November 2, 2010, 2:37 pm

      I try to wear pants with a pocket or I bring my Spibelt!

    • sarah k. @ the pajama chef November 2, 2010, 4:24 pm

      tie the one key you need (house key or car key) on your shoe lace! just unlace your shoe one notch so your key can’t slip off (unless your shoelaces break, which would be another problem altogether), then double knot your shoe and you’re good to go! and don’t ever place your car key in your gas tank (well, the little space in there). i helped a guy at the running trail once who did that and his key fell down in to the interior frame of his car!

      • Michele @ Healthy Cultivations November 2, 2010, 4:27 pm

        Oh my!! That’s horrible about the guy’s key falling into the car. Keys on shoes should work.

  • Erin @ A Girl & Her Mutt November 2, 2010, 1:52 pm

    I love the return of the George Foreman lately! I’ve been using mine more and more lately. LOVE IT!

  • megan @ whatmegansmaking November 2, 2010, 2:10 pm

    Love how you cooked a whole meal on the george foreman! very clean-up friendly 🙂

  • LadyLara November 2, 2010, 2:11 pm

    Noooo… the best place to put a key on your run is to tie it on your shoe and tuck it into the laces! I’ve been doing this for years. I can’t run with anything in my hands or jangling around!

  • tina November 2, 2010, 2:18 pm

    voted for you again!

    i’m with lady lara… but i usually try to hide it in a hidden lulu pocket!!! 😉

    you DEFINITELY deserve a new pair of shoes girl!

    • Caitlin November 2, 2010, 8:34 pm

      i think you are right – time for new shoes

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) November 2, 2010, 2:19 pm

    Good, I am so glad to hear you are feeling better now physically and mentally. I think a lot of times they go hand in hand. I Love George! He and I get along so well in the kitchen!

  • Michelle (The Runner's Plate) November 2, 2010, 2:20 pm

    I have to second LadyLara–I always string it through my shoelaces. I don’t like anything dangling off my wrist.

    I literally couldn’t run for a week after my marathon. It hurt to walk, climb stairs, and even sleep!

  • Balanced Healthy Life November 2, 2010, 2:29 pm

    Glad that you left the garmin at home and went for a fun run! Lunch looks great, I can’t believe it all cooked on the GF!

  • carlee November 2, 2010, 2:58 pm

    I voted!!:) I always do the same when I run or walk and I am sore. I use a key and when I am sore I walk or run on the grass! UI love the look of that lunch! I want to try tofu again so bad! The first time I hated it,the secoind time I loved it ,Now I just need a third time;) hehe. Glad to hear your day is doing better!

  • janae @ hungryrunnergirl November 2, 2010, 3:08 pm

    I love your key idea, I have never thought of doing that and I hate holding them or putting them in my pocket! I can never even think about running until one week after a marathon….Good for you!

  • Leanne @ Simplicitlee November 2, 2010, 3:14 pm

    I think it’s so important for us to listen to our bodies. I think if you learn to listen you can figure out when to (healthfully) push yourself, and when to hold back 🙂

  • Molly @fuelherup November 2, 2010, 3:15 pm

    Best way for me to carry my key is to tie and tuck it into my shoelaces- that way you cant even feel it!

  • Lisa November 2, 2010, 3:16 pm

    I usually don’t do a recovery run…I usually do a recovery swim. It seems to help me a lot and it feels great on my legs. (And sitting in the hot tub afterward doesn’t hurt either!)

  • Sara November 2, 2010, 3:23 pm

    What’s your spinach steaming secret?

    • Caitlin November 2, 2010, 3:26 pm

      throw on top of the hot quinoa and stir!

      • Sara @ OurDogBuffy November 2, 2010, 3:36 pm

        I see! Like you did with the pasta in a previous post. Smart. Saves time. Love it. Thanks!

  • Amber K November 2, 2010, 3:31 pm

    Oh the pain, definitely good to take a bit of a break!

  • Camille November 2, 2010, 3:53 pm

    I always experience a lot of post-marathon pain too. Plus I always injure my knees. So worth it though!

  • Hope November 2, 2010, 3:54 pm

    Hmm I totally need to get a GF, my current press just doesn’t do the job right!

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) November 2, 2010, 3:55 pm

    i can’t even imagine what post-marathon recovery is like…way to listen to your body carefully!

  • Jamie @ Food in Real Life November 2, 2010, 4:10 pm

    Glad you are feeling better! I think leaving the Garmin at home is a great idea. And good keyholder idea, I always put mine in my bra when I don’t have my camelbak with me. I just ordered one of those spibelts (spibelt.com) though, I heard they are good for holding stuff.
    They have 2 promos going on right now that I used
    Holiday22- 15% off

    Lunch looked yummy too!
    Ship09- free shipping

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman November 2, 2010, 4:25 pm

    I love the key idea. I always safety pinned mine to the inside of the top band of my pants.

  • Joanna November 2, 2010, 4:25 pm

    I voted for ya!

  • Claire (Low Impact Fashionista) November 2, 2010, 4:32 pm

    I love quinoa- seriously the easiest and the best wholesome food ever. It’s gotta be helping you recover!

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) November 2, 2010, 5:10 pm

    What a tasty meal indeed 🙂

  • Emily November 2, 2010, 5:32 pm

    Glad you found your reasons to be happy. I say enjoy the pain from your post-marathon because you rocked it; enjoy the recovery time, its what you body wants and needs. Y-O-G-A!!

  • Erika November 2, 2010, 5:56 pm

    I always read your blog and have never posted anything. i need some advice. I want to run a half marathon, but in my area right now all there are are trail runs. Would you recommend that for someone’s first one? I run on trails often, but only for like 4-5 miles, i am not sure how i would hold up for an entire 13 miles! Also, if i am an active person and run like 4 days a week but not long distances how long do you suggest i leave myself for training before a half marathon?

    • Caitlin November 2, 2010, 8:33 pm

      If you are running 4 – 5 miles right now as long runs and running at least 12 miles a week, you can probably train for a half marathon in 2.5 to 3 months 🙂 Trail runs are super fun because there isn’t as much time pressure to finish so it might be the perfect first race!

  • Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert November 2, 2010, 5:57 pm

    The first thing that came to mind is that song … The sun will come out tomorrow, it will be a brighter day tomorrow. I am glad you’re feeling better – and I hope the rest of your week goes great.

  • Dave @ tips4running November 2, 2010, 6:00 pm

    Awesome idea. I’ll be voting for you and your runner girls!

  • Annie@stronghealthyfit November 2, 2010, 6:26 pm

    Kinda can’t believe you ran a marathon this weekend! You rock.

  • ProjectLifeBy Sue November 2, 2010, 6:35 pm

    Voted for you today from Ottawa Canada! Nice nail polish by the way!!

  • Sana November 2, 2010, 6:58 pm

    I am loving your bloggy pics as of late!

  • Ellen@FirednFabulous November 2, 2010, 7:16 pm

    Mmm your lunch looks GOOD. Just voted too 😉

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin November 2, 2010, 7:30 pm

    That’s how I carry my keys too! And I always tuck the keys under another elastic on my wrist so that they’re not flopping around.

    Voted again! 🙂

  • katie November 2, 2010, 7:42 pm

    too bad they didnt make squishy treadmills that would be great on the joints

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss November 2, 2010, 7:43 pm

    Ohh yeah, I didn’t even think about the recovery! I guess I just kind of figured if I ever ran a marathon, I’d sit on my butt for the next two weeks until the pain went away. 😉 But nah, best way to get rid of soreness is to work it off.

  • Katie November 2, 2010, 8:02 pm

    I’ve truly enjoyed reading about your recovery from the marathon! I think you have been honest to yourself and truly listened to your body. That is so hard to do for a lot of us women who train so hard on a regular basis. I love reading these and your lunch looked awesome for just being thrown on the George. Amazing what that thing can do!

  • Ash @ Good Taste. Healthy Me November 2, 2010, 8:09 pm

    I noticed your band and engagement ring up above. Just wanted to tell you how pretty it is!

    Good tip on a way to carry your house key. I never seem to know what to do with it!

    • Caitlin November 2, 2010, 8:28 pm

      Thank you!

  • sara November 2, 2010, 8:25 pm

    My hands feel naked without a pair of keys in them. It never bothers me to carry keys out running. It’s like second nature.

  • Missy Miller November 2, 2010, 9:41 pm

    Good idea to leave the garmin at home (0:

    You can make quinoa on a George, say what?
    Do tell.
    Please.

    ~Missy

    • Caitlin November 2, 2010, 10:11 pm

      no no 😉 that was boiled

  • Jennifer Whitcomb November 3, 2010, 5:07 pm

    Hey, Caitlin! Congrats on your recent marathon. I’m working towards training for my first half marathon and have been using an app on iTunes called Personal Running Trainer (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/personal-running-trainer/id368033565?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4). Do you use something similar to train? I’ve really enjoyed it but I’m curious to know what you use – though you might check this one out!

    Cheers 🙂

    • Caitlin November 4, 2010, 11:22 am

      i have not tried anything like that – i’ll have to check it out!

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