Stickers and T-shirts and Medals, OH MY!

It's been a little over a week since I've checked in, and on the running front, there isn't much to report.  Tonight was my first post Ultra Marathon training run.  And lemme tell ya...running 5 miles with hills, even after over a week off...I still felt a little rough around the edges.  My husband said the same thing last night after a 5k.  I think on some level I'm still recuperating.

Side Note: My sleep schedule is definitely still recuperating.  After staying up that entire night, sleeping the whole day, then sleeping in, and jumping right into the work week...I'm downright wore out.  I'm a late to bed, late to rise kind of girl, but lately, I've been in bed epic early.  And out of bed epic late....Not sure what's going on there.  Could I be *gasp* getting older??? Nah...

Anywho, I'm tired, and so are my stinking muscles.  And my knee...Right Knee that is...

As I'm sitting here typing, Mr. Right Knee himself (my knee is a boy...) is getting some preferential ice treatment because he was none too happy about our 5 mile run tonight.  The pain was not excruciating, and since I got an MRI in July and did PT on this SAME knee, I'm familiar with what is going on and what I need to do to fix it.  Lucky me, my pain is chronic.  And basically, the best way to fix it is:
ICE
ICE
Stretching my IT band
Quad strengthening
and....no wearing of heels, flats, flip flops, or any other stylish footwear other than running shoes or grandma orthopaedic shoes (I work in a professional-ish office...so this is a challenge)

It's just a bit frustrating to have the same recurring problem after any long race (Mr. Knee first got pissed at Marathon attempt numero uno).  But alas, the cards I'm dealt.

But on to some more exciting news.......

Let's talk about my new STICKER!!!

I know, I know, I KNOW that 99.999999% of the RGV will not know what "ULTRA" is referring to.  Heck, I've had more people than I can count ask me "what is 26.2?"  So, I'm quite aware that most will think that I am just a devoted Michelob Ultra drinker, or maybe that I'm Ultra cool, I dunno.  But I doubt many will say "oh by golly gee, that is an ULTRA runner."  But that's ok, because IIIIIIIIIII  know what it means.  And that stinking sticker made my day when it came in the mail.  So what, I'm a sucker for a sticker and the t-shirts and the other rad swag  you get when you do a race.  It's the best part!!!!!!  I run for 2 things 1. Tshirts 2. Medals.  And a couple of weeks ago...I got a trophy, so I run for those too.  That's what makes all of this so much fun, I think!

So this week, I'll be pounding out an 8 miler, and a 14 miler. God willing that Mr. Knee cooperates.  I'll also be tearing it up with Renea tomorrow AND Thursday. WAHOOOO!!! And I've heard she has some new things in store for us training wise, so I'm quite stoked!  I have my trusty marathon training schedule printed out and adhered to the fridge.  And from here on out, I'll be following that...religiously. Especially on Sundays for my long runs :)!  I'm just excited to get back on track after my very fun and rewarding detour!

Thanks for cheering me on!

Lacy