about the pain

     I think I got it all figured out, or what should be an obvious pattern now.  Although the soreness comes the day after the long run, it’s not really until the second day after the long run that I’d feel the real hurting.   I suppose that in an extreme physical exhaustion like the kind I had put myself through last sunday, my body did what it could to counter-measure the effects for up to a day.  Sort of delay the deterioration for a little bit.  I was somewhat hurting last sunday but it was tolerable.  Monday came and that early morning when I had to get up for a little ‘recovery’ run before going to work,  whaggam! I swear I was so sore I couldn’t move at all.  But I had to force my six to get up and at least make it to work on time.  Which I did somehow. That day was one of the the most painful day in my entire life.  I put it up there on my list right alongside those painfest occasions I ‘ve been through when I was in the service.

     Or perhaps it was just because it was a monday. Maybe not entirely but that’s gotta be some kind of aggravating element.

     As I’ve said earlier, I made it to work, and there I plodded on as expected of me, moved inch by inch, finished all my tasks, and actually survived the day.  My main complaint was my calves and my quads. My skin is sunburnt too like you can’t believe, especially on the neck and shoulder area.  So I got home alright and then for dinner, instead of the regular meals that I’d been shoving down my throat the past two days, I decided to get real.  Bought me some guinness and a whole bunch of potatoes and beans. Now the after-effect of these three things combined in my stomach was not pleasant. It was extreme flatulence. Thankfully no one was around that night, just me in my room with the fan in full blast and all my windows wide open.  

     It’s over now, the pain.  Must be the guinness. I picked up on my runs again.  Yesterday, tuesday, I did an easy 8-miler after work, on a very easy route,  in an equally easy peopled place:  pacific beach, san diego, california. I run like I wasn’t running at all.  It was just nice. People everywhere, the beach, the sights, the sounds, the sunset, the lights, etc.  I must admit I enjoyed the “necessary” distractions for a change. I picked up the pace on the last couple of miles just to sort of shock my body yet again and remind myself that I’m okay now.  I actually went all out, fast.  13:11 was what my watch said so that must have been -7min/ mile pace altogether. 

     Today, no run. Just a bit of tennis with my favorite mexican-american co-worker.  Originally we had a dozen tennis balls when we started.  We just swung away and smashed away and just hit around  here and there and base line stuff.  It was good, we did it for about an hour and a half.  We both haven’t played tennis for a long time so it was kindda …well, i sucked. We had to stop when we realized we didn’t have anymore tennis balls left. 

     I have to do real seriously my tempo run.  In all of these runs that I do in a week, I think tempos are just as important as the long runs in the weekends.  I also need to get some vitamins and some supplements , I guess.  I really don’t know anything about these things so I’d have to do some research if I really want to get back in shape.  I’m also thinking about hitting the gym regularly now. I used to be crazy about my irons but when I got out of the army I sort of just looked at it indifferently as a non-specific workout.  Now I feel that if get back on the bench and the squats that I’d add “power” to my quads and upper body strength, just like before when running and everything really mattered.  If I was really in good shape I don’t think I’d be in such a terrible state after that run. 

     So that about sums up the post long run events.  Had a bit of bad news today.  Lost my oaks at work. My most precious Oakleys that has survived so many deployments is gone.  I can’t even remember where and when I left it or dropped it.  Whoever’s got it is a lucky SOB.  I hope I see a face one day with my precious oaks on it, I mean I know that piece like the palm of my hand.