Rest, recover and return

Having been in the hurt locker, Monday & Tuesday weren’t fun as I was visited but DOMS!  Walking like John Wayne my legs didn’t like me and my body wasn’t too pleased either.  But coming home to champagne and good food after the race and a hot bath was the start of my recover - I had a lot of hot baths last week!
With no training planned I was out celebrating on Tuesday night and come Thursday I was able to handle a massage and the message was that my legs were on the mend.  I’ve been eating “like a horse” all week and am constantly craving food.  Probably because I was 148 Lbs after the race and after a momentous effort I’m up to 152!  Other than a dreadful sleep after the race I’ve been like “rip van winkle” taking every opportunity to nap.
Back out celebrating on Friday with a couple of hours of disco dancing, yes that’s what I said - disco dancing!  Had a ball and no lycra or Garmin in sight.  But of course I knew this rest period would be short lived.
Today I had a social 5km jog around the murals of Glasgow with friends which was great fun - no Garmin or heart rate monitor!  I also received my training plan as I prepare for my first race of 2019 - The Highland Fling, a 53 mile ultra.  I did the race 4 years ago and my coach has already set me a very ambitious target.  This is all in the build up to my “A race” the Tahoe 200 in September.
I’m back to swimming on Tuesday and for this I may need armbands it’s been that long!  After writing this blog I’m away to prepare / clean out my gym as my coach is coming round to sort out my strength training on Thursday - there may be tears and tantrums!  My initial running will restricted to 5km which seems ridiculous when a week ago I ran 13 times that.  However although I feel good I need to give my body the best chance to recover so we are building on a fresh rather than fatigued body.
The new training plan is exciting and as I’ve said so often, you have to enjoy the journey and the race is the “icing on to of the cake” as you don’t always get to eat the “cake”.  A new chapter starts and I’ll be mixing my training with a social life over the next 5 weeks which in itself is a challenge but it’s the season to be jolly....la la la la la la la la la!