Back to square one?

The marathon was 2 weeks ago today. Feels like an eternity. It's been such a weird 2 weeks coming down off that high and subsequently getting sick.

I've only been doing short runs this week, partially out of necessity from having a chest cold, partially to follow the recovery plan for post-marathon running. It is unbelievable to me how just 2 weeks ago I ran 26.2 miles and this week getting 3.5 in has been challenging. I just don't feel like I have any strength. I'm getting winded easily. It's so disheartening.

I think a lot of it is mental and I've always felt that way about running and endurance training. When I knew I had to get in 40 miles a week it wasn't up for debate. I went out and did it because I knew if I didn't there would be a domino effect for the rest of my training. The day of the marathon my longest run had been 20 miles (per the training program) -- how on earth did I add on another 6.2? Because that's just what you do when you tell yourself you have to. And now that I don't have to get in those runs my mind is not connecting with my body the way I'd like it to.

I don't think this is an unusual thing to happen. It's just something I need to work through. Even though I feel like I'm starting over again with running I know I'm not. I just have to get back to that place where everything is in synch again. This is Thanksgiving week so it will probably be another low mileage week but after that I don't have a lot going on before Christmas. I am just over 80 miles away from my goal of 1000 miles in 2010 with 6 weeks to go. That's a nice milestone to work on for the rest of the year to keep myself focused without it being too stressful. I've watched that little turtle counter plod along for a year now, it will be nice to see him get to his goal.