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I even hate to admit this, but my right IT band is like a guitar string right now.  Not fun and not happy about it.  Apparently, running 26.2 miles, without a break, causes your muscles AND connective tissue to tighten.  Who knew???  I do now...

And, only three weeks before my next race.  ugh.

Wow, missing running is nothing I ever thought to experience.  However, the last few weeks of barely any running, and then pathetic running at that, were dreadful.  Tomorrow will be my first day back on the wagon and I am excited to give the kicks are few turns!

Apparently, running a marathon without stopping makes your legs tired AND sore!  who knew?!!?!?

The other important event in my household was the creation (and continual tinkering) with a Vegetable Shake recipe.  Now, STOP MOVING THE MOUSE to the "back" button.  They are G-O-O-D.  Yes, it took me two weeks of daily shakes, each a little tweaked from the one before, but I would now give them a solid B+/A-.  My son literally said "uM yummy!" this morning when drinking today's version.  Uh, yeah, he's only 2 and a half years old!  My daughter, only one year, flaps her arms like wings if she's not served fast enough.  I swear.  So, these shakes contain: 3 different green leafy vegetables, 4 frozen fruits, flax seed, soy milk, vanilla protein powder, and L-glutamine.  Just to be clear too, the veggies outnumber the fruits by a 4-1 ratio easily.  It is the easiest way to get kids to eat their veggies ever.  You would think I was serving them Milkshakes by their reactions.  As a parent, it is flat-out awesome.

If anyone wants the recipe, just let me know and I would be happy to share!

So, let's see, my candid goals going into the Marathon were...

1. Finish - Check
2. Have fun - Check
3. Set a "personal record" for a Marathon (only other time was 4:22:43, seconds will matter later) - Check
4. Finish in under 4 hours (trying to get as close to 3:30 as possible) - Check

Final Time: 3:42:20...  an improvement of over 40 MINUTES (ok, 23 seconds more than 40 minutes, but still FORTY #*%$@#$ MINUTES!!!)  Yes, my legs hurt and hurt bad, but it is totally and completely worth it.  

One other cool thing that was not a goal before the race, but became one as I continued running and realized that I might achieve something I previously thought impossible (for me, at least): Finish the entire race without ANY stopping or walking.  Ooooohhhh yeahhh, CHECK!

Now, I only need to figure out how to do that after swimming 2.4 miles AND biking 112 miles...  hmmm, more training may be in order I believe!  

Am I the only person who feels like he lives on cookies during the holidays?  My family bakes cookies by the pallet and leaves them in overly convenient locations, in my line of sight...  Why do cookies taste so wonderful?  At one holiday event, I single-handedly finished an entire tin of sugar cookies!  Seriously.  I wish I were joking about this.  I was embarrassed, yet oddly sleepy.  

After a month of "recovery" and low-level activity, I am back on the training wagon.  Yesterday, I ran for three hours.  That was somewhat painful, but what made it ever worse was going to see Avatar last night.  How are two related, you wonder?  Well, Avatar is 2 hours and 40 minutes in length.  Plus, there are commercials, previews, and other garbage before movies.  Don't forget to combine that with getting there early enough to get decent seats (yes, it was sold out).  Still not getting the connection right?  Try running for three hours and then SITTING for three hours later that same day.  Ugh, my legs (and all components thereof) were KILLING me by the end of the movie (which was spectacular, by the way).  Long distance running and movie watching do not mix.

Speaking of Avatar, its spectacular.  Oh, the dialogue, character development, and acting ranges from dreadful to average (if existent at all).  But, visually, that movie is incredible.  the 3D is like nothing ever done before and is truly a sight to behold.  Plus, the computer generated special effects were truly remarkable.  

Sherlock Holmes is not worth the price of admission, even if its free...

Happy New Year!

One week of rest and I am back on the training wagon, which oddly enough makes me happy.  Long run tomorrow for 2.5 hours, yikes.  Doesn't my coach know I just ran a marathon (in an Ironman no less) two weeks ago???  sigh.....