I am back from Tokyo and taking it easy, reverse-taper style, since we are now <50 days until the London Marathon. I know, right? If you’re waiting for the rest of the Tokyo Race Report, stay tuned for that on Tuesday. Here’s the weekly rundown since earning World Marathon Major Star #5.
Weekly Rundown
Monday: Still in Tokyo (sore)
Tuesday: Fly home (sore but great flight)
Wednesday: Rest (not so sore but fragile)
Thursday: Rest/foam roll/magnesium bath
Friday: Rest/foam roll
Saturday: Easy swim/whirlpool/sauna
Sunday: Light strength workout/whirlpool/sauna
Our flight home was as smooth as the one heading out, thanks be to American Airlines. This time instead of fly direct we connected in Dallas/Ft. Worth. I managed to sleep on the plane enough to head off jet lag. Go me. Again I was amazed at how kind TSA agents are in other countries compared to here in the US. We cleared customs in Dallas then I had to wait 20+ minutes for TSA to even get to my carry-on bag because now apparently plane snacks are a problem. The people in front of me each had two carry-ons PACKED with what looked like Spanish chips. Then my pretzels needed to be scrutinized. Who knew a half-eaten bag of PB pretzels could be contraband? Apparently so.
My workouts this week didn’t amount to much, although it felt great to hit the gym on the weekend with the Caveman. I’ve fully embraced rest and this week was designed to be a physical and mental break before I ramp up again for London. The Tokyo Marathon conditions beat me up. Typically my upper body is not sore at all post-marathon but this time even my traps and shoulders were tender to the touch for a day or so, probably from so much tension due to the rain/cold/shivering.
Anyway, it felt pretty good not to think about running this week. My mornings felt leisurely, although I’ve been swamped with work.
Stuff I Loved This Week
This guy sat across the aisle from me on the trip home from Tokyo. Chicago friends do you recognize him? He’s none other than Chicago Marathon Race Director Carey Pinkowski. It was fun to chat with him and hear about World Marathon Major #7 that will be added sometime soon. I am NOT running it BTW. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. When he asked if I was running the Shamrock Shuffle it felt good to be able to say YES! I runfess in all my years of running I’ve never run the Shuffle but this year I signed up. Yay!
Thing 2 and Ozzy were visibly delighted to see me when I got home.
The Caveman had evening work events all week so I welcomed a few more days of no kitchen duty. I could get used to that.
Thing 1 is having an excellent indoor track season so far and had top 10 finishes in all of her events at a big meet this weekend.
The coffee table for the kids’ playroom turned “my office” showed up and I am in love. Now if only spring would show up.
Stuff I Didn’t Love As Much
The weather in Chicago. I didn’t expect it to be below zero here still when we landed. Glad I packed the Thermoball for our Uber ride home from the airport but come on man! Enough!
How was your week? Have you run the Shamrock Shuffle? When/what is your next race?
I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down. Join us!
HOLD UP! You’re running the Shuffle? So are Steph and I. Let’s make a plan to head down together.
My cousin reports that the TSA took her Aftershokz headphones out of her checked bag. They also spilled her collagen powder all over her clothes. I don’t understand that.
Glad you’re recovering nicely.
I hear you about the TSA. I try to be sympathetic for their jobs and I j so that gone are the days when you could just walk across from Tijuana with a bag full of churros, but some consistency would be nice. I ALWAYS take a snack (I learned the hard way that hummus is a no go) in my carryon. It was only a problem once, when I tried to carry Chinese pastries and a soft pretzel from Philly. The rep tried to tell me it was an FAA regulation that you can’t carry good in your carryon. I called BS but, so that I didn’t get arrested, I let it go. They’re probably in cahoots with the vendors to get us to buy more airport food haha.
I am seriously amazed at your lack of jetlag. Mr. Judy always came back from Japan and felt fine the first day and then 2 days later crashed HARD!!!
I was quite happy not having to cook him dinner while he was away.
And it’s always nice to be appreciated when you get back home, although in our case, usually the dogs are waiting and the human is upstairs so it takes a while to get to the human. 🙂
So cool that you are running the Shamrock Shuffle. I always said that I wished I lived closer so I could do that race because it looks like so much fun!
I am glad that you took a whole week off to rest and recover. I am supposed to do a 4 mile Shamrock run next weekend. Hope the ankle cooperates
Well done on taking the week off to recoup. Eye on the (next) prize, right? And how cool to have the CM race director on your flight. What’s going to be the next World Major?!?!?!
Glad you had smooth travel back home! Your recovery sounds great – you definitely earned it!! So exciting that London is up next – what a year! I’ll be living through you for a while lol!
TSA and snacks is such a pain. I had a flight recently without PreCheck and ugh. So not worth it.
Love the coffee table
My Half is next weekend . I am 100% not ready, but going to try
Chatting with the Chicago Marathon RD? That would be a fun experience! Too bad the TSA peeps are such PITA ambassadors. Glad your first week post-Tokyo went well 😉
There will be #7? I thought it was just 6.
Happy to hear you are running the Shamrock Shuffle! Yay! Still can’t believe you’ve never run it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
Rest up! I am excited for you to run the London Marathon.
So glad you are home and getting the rest you need! And the professionalism and courtesy of TSA overseas never ceases to amaze!! Good luck getting back into the swing of things this week as you prepare for yet another marathon. You so crazy!!!!
glad you made it back in one piece and rested even. If I was near you I’d offer a free (friend price 🙂 ) massage. Maybe you want to get one before you start cracking on with training again? could do wonders for you!
I wish I was running the Shamrock Shuffle! I wasn’t a runner when I lived in Chicago so now I am double said when I miss #alltheraces . Next race is Sunday – last attempt at a 5K PR before surgery.
My jaw literally dropped when I saw your picture of Carey, haha. I can’t believe he was on your flight! I mean, I guess I can, since it was a World Major and American Airlines is a sponsor of the Chicago Marathon, so all of those things make sense. But still! How cool!
TSA is so weird. I have an R8 roller and they gave me the third degree at one airport about it and they didn’t even glance at it at another. It’s definitely strange and you never know what you’re going to deal with. Glad you took it a bit easier after Tokyo. Traveling itself is hard but I can’t imagine that long of a flight after a marathon!
Wise decisione to take a week off. Good luck on the Shamrock Shuffle.