Shannon's Scene: Take Two

What do you do after a four month training period comes to an end and you’re left wondering what to do with this semblance of a life you’ve suddenly regained?  I wonder if other first or many time endurance athletes experience this confusion of settling back into “the norm” after an event.

How have I spent the last two weeks?  Wishing, foam rolling, pushing, chiropractoring, and praying away the residual pain around my right knee so that I could get back to running.  Patience. 

I relied more on my yoga practice as my form of activity, while trying to give my muscles what they needed… stretch therapy and a break from the impact.  Mindfulness. 

I also spent some time figuring out what the “new norm” would be now that I’ve returned to the land of the non-crazies who aren’t running four to five days/week.  Balance.

I actually paused to notice that fall is all around me and I haven’t bought a single can of pumpkin yet!  Say whaaat?  And that my Rangers had made the playoffs!  Awareness.

Oh and I may or may not have realized that after four months of hardly drinking , you probably shouldn’t pick back up like the champ you think you are.  Zero tolerance.

I’ve never been able to juggle actual objects… but throw everything life has to offer me at once, and boy do I try to face it head-on.  I’ve been quite the little clown with all the juggling I’ve done since the race.  Deep breath.  It’s time to put some things down, and pick them back up one by one.

So what am I doing?  A little this, a little that.  If I feel like a run, I’ll run.  Just not 10+ miles (yet).  I’ve added more yoga, a couple different styles even, into my week.  I’m also not beating myself up if I want a day off.  Balance.  It’s not the norm to be on a marathon training schedule and I’ve had to break the mental fixation on the need for high impact activity for one or more hours all but one day a week.  Not happening.

If you’ve made it this far into the post, I applaud you.  My brain is a bit scattered as I try to find the balance that I think I knew back in April.  Here’s hoping.

I leave you with some pics from my latest venture up to the nation’s capital… because that’s really the only eventful thing I’ve done since my return from Chicago. 

Teaser:  Yes, I’ve already identified my next event.  Also, I’m cooking more… so expect a glimpse into my kitchen.  Or take me out of your RSS feed.  More to come!