Emma's Beaver Creek snowman

Emma wanted to build a snowman so badly.  We were barely out of the car and dressed in snow gear when the building commenced.  She did quite a good job!

Re-uping

My main focus since the beginning of the year has been my family...taking care of them....and preparing for the marathon.  Well, the marathon is over.  My family needs still me obviously, but I am not at a place to give them my all.

The marathon wasted my energy and I kind of feel like it is the day after Christmas.  Lots of preparation and it is over in a few short hours.  Fun, exciting, worth the work, but it passes too quickly.  So now what....

Now is a vacation.  Drew and I could not have planned this better.  I am ready to get away from my house and feeling like I must be cleaning or organizing something.  I am getting to spend six days relaxing, playing in the snow, reading books, playing with my children, running on hills, and doing nothing if that is what I want to do.  I am so ready for this.

Of course, I do have goals for my vacation.  Doesn't everyone?  They are totally simple.

Re-charge---my physical and emotional energy
Re-commit---return to my plan of FOCUSing for the year and do it
Re-evaluate---what are my running goals from this point forward

In six days I plan to be Re-freshed....

Wednesday's dose of cuteness

Emma snapped this gem at the marathon on Saturday...

Her cute little painted red finger nails. 

 That look of "what do you want?"  

I am just too cool and cute!

Post Marathon

I thought running the marathon was hard, but recovery is almost as challenging.  I was immediately cold and thirsty.  I walked around some and found my family.  Seeing them was awesome.  It was a total reward for the hard work...well that and my sweet medal!  This of course caused me to cry some more!

Me and my cheering squad!

Me and Kim!

Getting some love from Elena

When I finally sat down, I could not get back up.  Drew had to literally pull me up which was so sad.  I walked around more, collected my finisher shirt, and felt a little better.  I dressed in my compression gear and started to feel much warmer.  My legs were really crampy so Gatorade was my new friend and I typically don't like it AT ALL!

Saturday was challenging all day.  I took a quick nap and lived on adrenaline all day I think.  Sunday my legs felt okay so long as I did not have to walk down steps or squat.  It was like being 9 months pregnant again...waddling when I walked and using my arms like crazy to get up.  I took another nap and this one was much longer.  Monday I wore my compression pants again all day and that really helped.  By Monday night I felt like I could move again.  My quads are still not perfect, but life is getting better!  I even ran two slow miles this morning which was so helpful to loosen up my quad muscles. 

So, where was my cheering squad for the second half of the race????  When Drew tried to leave the mile 10 parking spot he got the van stuck in mud.  Instead of perhaps missing me at the finish they decided to walk to the finish and just wait.  Thank goodness they were at the finish because that just helped make the race all the better.  Two hours after I finished the van was towed out of the mud and we headed to Chick Fil A for lunch!

Will I run another marathon?  I think I might!  I loved the training.  I like running all those miles and I already miss it...crazy I know!  When will I run another one?  Ask me when I feel back to normal!!