My First Run Post-Ultra

I waited a week after my ultra marathon to run again, although I did boot camp three days after and felt pretty good.  I was afraid that I'd have knee pain if I ran, but luckily I didn't even feel a twinge.  I only ran 5K, to be safe, but it was one of those 'I am so happy I am running and feeling good! I love running!' runs.

I just ran again, and I did a longer run this time - about 13K.  I felt great!  (The great thing about running an ultra is that any shorter distance seems just so....short.)

I'm glad I didn't push myself during the ultra marathon and really injure myself.

It has been so nice to run without a camel back and just for fun.  Although....I am planning my next race.

I realized that I really did appallingly little to prepare myself for an ultramarathon.  I went from 25K to 50K without even attending a running group.

For my next race, I'm definitely going to try to make even a few sessions.  Other runners can share their experiences and I can see how helpful it could be.

For example, during the ultra, I saw runners going down the hills in a wavy pattern.  Initially I thought that was crazy because it meant taking more steps to get down the hill.  By the end of the ultra I was doing it too, because I realized it made my knee hurt less when running downhill.  Knee pain is one thing on a fairly flat surface (which really doesn't exist in a trail run in any case) but downhills are killers.

Also I've heard so much about compression socks, and even just recently IT band braces.  I want to do the 30K Around the Bay Race next.  (I know what you're thinking...why didn't I do the 30K BEFORE I did the 50K?  Good question!  It's really because I love the trail running and the Around the Bay is a road race.  And I wanted to do an ultra.  Seize the day, as they say.)  Anyway, I'm going to use my fellow runners' expertise next time.