After yesterday’s race (and subsequent brunch), I returned to my apartment for a disappointingly cold shower and then very quickly morphed into Psycho Freakout Mode.
Yes, Psycho Freakout Mode is an actual clinical condition. I know because I just diagnosed myself with it.
Had I typed my symptoms — headache, feelings of panic, spontaneous mini-crying — into WebMD, I’m pretty sure those little web doctors would have diagnosed me with SARS or pregnancy or my personal favorite, “contact with Anthrax.”
So we’ll stick with Psycho. Yesterday I was a bit of a psycho.
I had purposely planned my weekend so that I wouldn’t have many plans. With Race Day (yes, capitalized because it’s a formal affair, obviously) just a week away, I wanted this weekend to be mostly free for errand-running, last-minute list-making and relaxing.
I, however, am the type of person who needs plans in order to function. A day of “relaxing” doesn’t really work for me.
So when my Handsome Friend suggested I come over and “hang out,” I couldn’t take it.
I wanted to know exactly what we were going to do and for how long and, if possible, I wanted some information with which to make a list.
Best girlfriend ever?
Nope. Not really.
Luckily we are still dating today. I apologized last night…many times.
So after demanding that we “run errands” — which meant going to Best Buy to purchase Season 1 of “Modern Family” — I finally learned how to chill out. My stomach was hurting like a beast and I knew that unnecessary stress — admittedly brought on by myself — wasn’t going to help me too much.
So we watched an entire disc of the show, which wow, is hilarious, and eventually fell asleep around 10:30.
Party animals for sure.
My stomach has been feeling not so great this weekend, and as much as I would have liked to sleep in a bit this morning, I woke up around 7:something in some not-too-pleasant pain.
When that subsided, I headed out for my Coach Cane-prescribed 3-mile jog.
Yes, jog.
It was slow. That’s what Coach wanted.
It was a perfect morning: shiny sun, happy people, perky Central Park and a Tracy-in-her-Sweat-shirt sighting.
The Susan G. Komen breast cancer walk was happening, so I watched for a bit and clapped and teared up every friggin’ time I saw someone with a “survivor” label. That stuff makes me sob.
I ran mostly on the Bridle Path today, which was nice and shady.
The run was uneventful and I wrapped it up with some tricep dips (100 of those bad boys) on a bench at Engineer’s Gate.
Something I love doing: reading the dedication plates on the benches. I found a good one today!
Next time you’re in Central Park, check out the benches everywhere. The little engraved name plates are cute and most of them are really romantic.
In other news, I looked down at my feet as I tricep dipped and realized I never removed my D-Tag after yesterday’s race.
I used to keep my D-Tags on forever after races. I don’t do that anymore.
I got my run out of the way early and then spent the rest of my morning being productive.
That meant another cold shower (seriously, WTF apartment?), foam rolling, doing dishes, sending emails and making lists.
Then it was time to relax!
That boyfriend I mentioned earlier suggested going downtown to check out the San Gennaro Festival in Little Italy, so that’s exactly what we did.
We started our journey in Union Square, where I hit up Lululemon and finally bought my Race Day top.
Then we walked south, eventually hitting Washington Square Park, where I did some dancing.
Yes, I took dance lessons for 18 years. I think it shows.
The San Gennaro Festival, which I went to last year as well, was intense.
Lots of people. Lots of fried food. Lots of people waddling around.
We also went to the Burton store, and I got really excited about ski season being just a few weeks…OK, maybe months…away.
Now I’m back home, wearing pajamas and a huge sweatshirt and I’m ready to finally watch Spirit of the Marathon.
Or more “Modern Family.”
Or both.
This weekend was an ideal mix between fun, relaxation and productivity. And the weather was perfect the entire time.
Hamptons Marathon, are you getting ready for me? Because I’m coming for you in a few days, and I’m planning to crush you. So watch your back.
I’D LOVE TO KNOW: How was your weekend?
0 Responses
GOOD LUCK THIS WEEKEND!!! I cant wait to read your race recap!!
I love the little signs on the benches in CP. Pretty sure I’ve seen the “Long May You Run” one before and it made me smile.
Cancer survivors at walks such as the Susan G Komen make me tear up every time too! I am obsessed with the benches in Central Park, one of my favorite things about NYC. The hubs and I visited NYC last year during the San Gennaro festival, I’ve never seen so many canolis! Happy tapering, can’t wait to read about your first 26.2!!
I love your action shots – they make me smile 🙂 I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOUR RACE WHEEE! It sounds like you had the perfect set-up this weekend with the chill 4-mile race and some easy miles. I know it’s hard to hold back, but you’ll be thankful for that extra energy on Saturday!
This weekend I had planned to run my first race ever, but the night before I was sick the whole night with several visits to the …. (no, not the kitchen). So I fell terrible sick and miserable in the morning, so I decided not to run the race. Has something like that ever happened to you? I’ve been following you for a while and I know about Chron’s but did that ever stopped you from running a race?
Exciting that you got your race day top!! Curious which one you picked out 🙂 I love lululemon and spend entirely too much money there.
Hope you enjoyed Spirit of the Marathon and had a good rest of the weekend.
My weekend was good. I finished off my last weekend before taper with a strong 20-miler despite falling and going to the ambulance briefly after mile 3…falling in figure skating was much more pleasant!
You’re going to do fine with all the training you’ve posted here. My weekend…..I’m running the Hartford Marathon on Oct and ran my last long run yesterday. 18 miles and it was good. Just one more half marathon next Saturday. Today I rewarded myself by going to the Big E with my wife, daughter, and grandson. Great day in great weather. I’m sure I’ll get some jitters the week before my marathon as well but am relaxing now.
For the weekend before one of the biggest events of your life so far, I’m sure any psychotic behavior is justified 😉
<3 you girrrl!
As a counselor, I can say that Psycho Freakout Mode is definitely an actual condition. It sounds like you figured out a way to deal with it though:)
I can’t believe your marathon is next weekend! You are going to do great. I’m sure next weekend you’re going to be so happy you took this weekend to relax. Looks like you had tons of fun!
When you start to think about the marathon, just focus on how great you’re going to be feeling about how much work you’ve done to get to that point, and how much amazing fundraising you’ve done! I did a half marathon lost weekend that I raised money for and running the race was much easier that all the work leading up to it (minus then knee pain but that’s because I need new shoes), it felt like a victory lap. Think of your marathon as a victory lap! Now relax!
I can totally identify with “relaxing” – mine is watching trashy TV/being on my computer catching up on emails and making my planner look pretty with checkboxes ready for the next day.
My weekend was fab – I ran a race, ate a lot of good food (chicken normandy!), drank lots of wine, and had two slices of cake last night and have no shame for it.
Can’t wait to hear how next weekend goes!
Yesterday I saw a dedication plate on a bench from a dog to its owner. It was kind of silly, but also very sweet.
I rocked a 23-mile run and can’t wait to run my first marathon. Eee!
Love your weekend. I had a “relaxing” weekend too… aka lots of gym time and even more couch time. 🙂
Good luck keeping your cool this week – you will rock the race this weekend!!!!!
I just watched “Spirit of the Marathon” last night and thought of you while I was watching. I hope you have a box of tissues near you, because it never fails that I get choked up when watching that movie. So inspiring! 🙂
Also–I love to run in lulu! I wore a tank top from there for my half marathon today and I swear it was good luck!
My husband and I watched “Spirit of the Marathon” on Netflix this weekend, it was great! I can’t wait to read your race recap, I know you are going to do amazing.
What race day top did you buy?! Please tell me so I can proceed to the nearest lululemon and buy another shirt to add to my wardrobe section of “things that match Ali.”
Taper is supposed to produce all kinds of craziness so don’t sweat it, get PUMPED for the crushing that will ensue this weekend and remember that you are a bad ass endurance athlete.
If you have trouble relaxing and doing nothing on weekends…I am a pro at it so I could provide some lessons at a minimal fee. But I didn’t do nothing this weekend. Instead, I found my wedding dress. Yay!
Can’t wait til your race day!