Take a two-bag ice bath and call me in the morning
Imagine going for a long run, a long painful run, a long painful run that leaves you hobbling, barely able to walk, grimacing as you move your legs to manuever the pedals of your car as you drive home. Imagine waking up the next day to absolutely no soreness whatsoever, no need for Ibuprofen to take the pain away. You are able to hop out of bed, walk into work with a smile on your face and spend the day springing out of your office chair with nary a groan or moan.
It's bliss, I tell you. Pure bliss.
And I give full credit to the two-bag ice bath in which I sat for a good 20 minutes on Sunday afternoon.
(Good news: I realized I'm in my "monster month." I am not sore after my long run on Sunday. I have only a few weeks left before tapering. I can do this; I can get up early for a month to get in 8 to 10 miles before work and get 30+ miles per week for the next few weeks. Totally. By the way, last week was my first 30+ mile week since S&S 50k last June. It took a year and a lot of mumbling and grumbing, but I did it. I'm actually quite psyched. Not only did I get 30+ miles last week, but I'm not sore. I love seeing results.)
(Oh, yeah, and darn Olga gave me an itch to run Bighorn 100. Dammit! After I've vowed for two years to never run an 100! I don't know how or when, but I want to.)
Comments
Yeah, I felt the same itch when reading Olga's report. Same here, I don't know how or when, but I want to!
Posted by: Thomas | June 19, 2007 08:24 AM
Sounds like you are doing awesome! I have yet to try an ice bath, I sooo hate being cold but I do need to try that after a long run!
Posted by: Javamom | June 19, 2007 08:25 AM
Go 100! :) And 20 minutes in an ice bath. You rock! I can only make it 10...
Posted by: Jessica | June 19, 2007 10:13 AM
OK, I had to scroll back and read your whiny little things about DNF at MY race. hello! Who's gonna let you? Seriously, fist of all you do know finishing an ultra is mental. You did your first on what, 16M longest run? Now you even know what to expect and how to handle it. Besides, are you planning to like place high or run for experience and a personal test? So set out with a clear plan at what pace you want to have run breaks and at what intervals you have your walk breaks, and that's it. Say you want 7 hrs, split in 2 (just because back is more downhill, otherwise I'd suggest 15% on second half), and make it work, stick with it, and enjoy! Now later after whining you went and had a great long run - so the previous post is negated by me:) Now tell C. to get a book and drive you to Sabino canyon, get 3 more runs of 4-5 hrs and you're set. Don't look for excuses, look for motivations. remember how great it felt to finish the last 2 50k's.
Oh, and Bighorn has a 50k option as well, and it's mostly downhill. Next year? :)
Posted by: olga | June 19, 2007 11:16 AM
I think I'd rather run for a week non-stop than sit in ice - brrrrr... but it worked!
Congrats on getting in the miles.
Posted by: 21stCenturyMom | June 19, 2007 11:50 AM
Great job! Sounds like you are really finding your groove now. Relentless, forward motion is a beautiful thing.
Isn't having legs that are not sore after a long run the greatest thing ever??
Posted by: Chad in the Arizona Desert | June 19, 2007 12:43 PM
hey, angie. sounds like you're getting much stronger too.
i've done the same thing but in the cold ocean or stream, and it's worked for me. kept the joint swelling and soreness at bay.
Posted by: e-rod | June 19, 2007 01:26 PM
Um ... I think I'm staying away from Bighorn for the time being. I think WS will be hard enough, once I finally get there.
Posted by: Donald | June 19, 2007 03:04 PM
i had the same inspiration from olga...you should read runJoshrun's report of the Mohican 100. those two reports are a double-dose of ultra inspiration.
great job on the 30+ this week! you can do anything, angie :)
Posted by: matt | June 19, 2007 03:39 PM
i hate the cold, but it will be worth trying next time
Posted by: steph | June 19, 2007 04:22 PM
First of all, do what Olga says. Second, congratulations on your first 30 mile week in a long time. Get a few more in and you'll be plenty ready for PCT 50k.
Posted by: Rob | June 19, 2007 04:49 PM
Stress junkie. ;-)
Posted by: Sarah Elaine | June 19, 2007 09:21 PM
Two bag ice bath? You are more courageous than me!
Posted by: Renee | June 21, 2007 04:55 AM
Hi! I remember meeting you while marking the Twin Peaks 50 race last year. Your blog is really entertaining. Nice to see you're running so much. Keep it up, Angie!
Posted by: Patknoff | June 21, 2007 08:31 AM
Thanks for the reminder to stock up on ice for those post-run baths that seem so much more tolerable in 100 degrees than 50!
Posted by: Anne | June 22, 2007 07:53 AM