Marathon recovery: days 3 & 4

Thursday rolled around and already I noticed I was walking much better after a good night's sleep, going down stairs normally too- although I could feel my quads protesting just a little.  It's been perfect timing that this years Boston marathon fell on a week I'm off work for vacation, it definitely speeds recovery along when I don't have to stand on tired legs for 7.5 hours per day (afternoon napping helps too!). I went back to the pool last night for masters practice, it was good to see Coach Bryan, haven't been back to practice since October (eeek!) and swam once at the lab pool for approx 30 minutes so I was a little apprehensive jumping back into the mix of a masters workout, particularly on a night when it was an extended 2 hour practice rather than the regular hour. Go big or go home right? After a few hugs, hello's and how are you doing's from faces I hadn't seen in a few months, I actually started off in my regular lane, winging it but knowing I would swim easy and towards the back. Gliding through the water with a smile on my face, and in between 100's I was reminded about how much I enjoy sports other than running and it was so good to have some comraderie and shared laughter in the short rest intervals. I surprised myself last night, despite not having any top end speed since I (1) ran a hard marathon 3 days prior and (2) not swimming for months on end; I swam well! The technique never left, I had the fitness from running and 1.5 hours later I ended up swimming 4400 yards. 25 x 100 never went so fast in the middle of the workout, some of it easy, some with fins, some a little faster but it went quick because I wasn't training alone, I had fun and I enjoyed the great criticism and encouragement from Bryan on the deck.
After another great night's sleep last night, 4 days into recovery I could actually think about running this morning as I walked around the house, until I walked down the back steps this morning and reality set in. Quads are still stiff and sore but walking down the stairs is smooth, I'd say I am at about a 5.5 on my recovery meter.

I went to the gym on this 40 degree morning for a little Concept II time: rowed 5000 meters with no power whatsoever, could still feel that my core, leg and arm muscles (OK my entire body) was still fatigued from Monday's effort. Nothing under 2:00 per 500 meters today, conversational rowing pace but I fell easily into a steady smooth rhythm and dreamed of being back on the water this summer, envisioning competititon of a different type, hopefully at the Head of the Charles this fall if I can get into a sweep 4 locally. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the local club needs an experienced starboard rower. Finishing up with a quick turn on the bike and the elliptical to round out an hour, I left the gym for the "boathouse" to check out the opportunity of rowing with a crew very soon. No one was available today but I was all fired up after being around these familar sights:

Beautiful. I am so looking forward to getting back that fast, smooth, team effort  feeling; working as one with power and grace and we fly over the top of the Peconic Bay waters. Let's go!!! Although I only know how to row sweep style well, I look forward to learning to scull, it can't be too hard of a transition. I can see myself owning my own single and perhaps a double with Sinead! Woot!

That's me in the bow, like the headband I'm sporting?

Sinead: you and me in the near future.

After checking out the East End Rowing Club, I went over for some promised pampering at my local pedi place. These tired dogs haven't been this smooth and looking good in awhile! Lower leg massage too, nice.

Not particularly attractive for feet, but a little polish goes a long way, you wouldn't want to have seen them right after Monday's 26.2!