Running After A Sand Relay

The sand relay was tough on my legs, and honestly I wasn't prepared for it. I thought I would be tired and maybe a little sore, but not "I just ran a marathon" type sore. I knew it was going to be tough, but I've been running in the sand for almost 10 weeks before the relay; granted not that many miles, but my long runs were still plenty long enough to prepare as were my two-a-day workouts. I'm amazed with how wore out this relay made me, and I have a whole new level of respect for those that did 30, 50, 75, 100+ miles in the sand that weekend.
I thought I had packed all the essential's, but, no, no I did not. I did not bring my epsom salt or biofreeze, and both of those items were greatly needed the night after the relay. I at least remembered to bring my compression sleeves for my legs and these things...

I don't know what you call them, but they work! Both of my heels were hurting and ached when I walked, I slept in these things and the next morning my heels were perfectly fine. I swear by them!
Sleeping the night after the relay was rough. I was exhausted but couldn't sleep. My knee (which I've never ever had issues with) kept me awake with its throbbing and an occasional sharp pain that would shoot down it. My back wasn't happy with me either and it ached no matter which way I tried to sleep. I found a pillow between my knees relieved the back pressure and some of the pain in my knee.
The next morning I felt stiff; my back ached and my knee was still sore. I had Chris stop at a store so I could hobble in and get some Ibuprofen. It helped relieve the achy-ness in my back. We had promised Katelynn a trip to the aquarium for being Star Student of the Month, so we spent three hours walking around looking at animals and watching shows. The kids loved it!

The view was certainly nice! All the walking helped my back and legs, and it was half way between Destin and home so it was a nice break.
Tuesday I did nothing. No bootcamp, no running, nothing. It was bliss. Wednesday I started to feel like I really needed to do something, so I went to my weekly run with my teammates. It was rough. My legs were tired and my mind kept telling me I couldn't/shouldn't be out there. My friend Cecilia was ahead of me so I just kept saying, "keep her in your sights." I caught up to her around mile 2 and we finished the last 1.5 together. It would've taken me A LOT longer without her.

We all wore pink in honor of Bryan and Kristy's good friend who lost her fight with breast cancer that morning.

Thursday I was hurting again. I didn't want to push my luck so I went ahead and took the rest of the week off from workouts. I figured I was better safe then sorry. I probably could've worked out and it might have helped my muscles, I just figured maybe I should listen to what my body was telling me.

Saturday I helped out at an aid station for the Blackwater 50k that my good running friend Bryan was doing.  I've never worked an aid station at a race before; it was definitely an interesting experience to be on the other side of things. It made me really, REALLY want to go for a run and it also raised my level of respect for the volunteers at races. I was tired when we were done, and I was surprised by that! Manning an aid station is definitely something I would love to do again.

A before race photo

Bryan at the start

Kristy making bacon for the runners

Bryan's wife Kristy is an aid station pro! She had us set up and ready to go in no time. She made bacon as well as cheese quesadilla's for the runners. We were the turn around aid station on the course, so most people spent a little time with us while getting refreshed and then turning around and heading the 15+ miles back to the start. It felt good to be able to help the runners get what they needed as quickly as possible so they could get back on their way. It was a great day!

Sunday I met up with Bryan at the UWF trail for what is becoming our weekly long trail run. I was so proud of him! He ran a 50k on Saturday and then came out and did 10.5 more miles with me on Sunday. He said the only reason he was there was because I had asked him; otherwise he would've never got his miles in like he'd planned. In a way, we were helping each other out! I was so happy to be back to running. The relay was starting to feel like a distant memory and I was craving a run.

Chris and the kids tagged along. They did the two mile loop while Bryan and I did the 10.5 mile loop. The first mile my calf muscles were screaming, but by mile 2 I was in a rhythm. Mile 7 or so is when fatigue set in with Bryan and we spent the last 3+ miles at a fast walk with little run pieces. It was a great morning for a run. I really enjoy the trails and I'm so glad I've started running them again.

I do however need trail shoes as my old running shoes are not cutting it (especially since we've been doing 10 miles every time we go out there). I went into the exchange and found these two pair on clearance (got both pairs for $50). If they don't work out for my trail runs they will work for my bootcamp classes!!