Training

My coaches wear onesies

April 2, 2010
By Rebecca Gardiner

Day 76 of 130
Ks covered: 513
Ks to go: 589
General mood: tired
Running highlight: Bouncing back after race
Equipment status: Searching for my shorts
Body status: Better than expected
Weight: 144

Kids are the new light walk .

My girls give the term ‘Active recovery’ new meaning. Sunday, post-race, they officially became my latest coaches.

“Sheesh, 30K is for suckers,” said the one-year-old. “See if you can catch me before I throw this fire-truck in the toilet.”

“Muuuuuuum, I’m hungry” said the three-year-old as soon as I had done the hands-on-both-arm-rests-let-out-a-massive-sigh-slow-motion-descent into the closest love seat. “I want pancakes.”

Indeed, the two wee ones may have been unsympathetic to my screaming muscles, but Monday I saw the results - even though I had pushed it in Around the Bay I was not nearly as sore as I have been after races past.

What’s the difference? I’m fitter, yes. But I really think the fact that I wasn’t allowed to sit down all day Sunday had something to do with it too.

Sadly though, my physical state did not bounce back perfectly. This week, I’ve been exhausted.

The good news? The girls have been preparing me for that too: Kindly waking me up nightly for the past three and a half years, ensuring I can perform my day-to-day tasks while nearly unconscious.

I’d like to say that since the race I’ve been feeling more tired than ever, but I can’t distinguish between the - You just raced 30K so you need a nap tired - and the - you’re a mum so you’re always tired tired.

Ahhh…silver linings…

I’ve done two runs since Sunday: 8K on Tuesday, which I found incredibly hard; and 22K yesterday, which was surprisingly enjoyable. My body is in good shape. My eyes need a rest. And the girls? I suppose their planning their next surprise attack.

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