Holy Ultramarathoners!
The JFK 50 is already full! Breathe easy, I got in in time, but it filled up in just about three weeks this year. Maybe it happened that quickly last year, but I have it in my mind that it took much longer. I think they shrunk the field to 1,000 this year (last year there were 1,078 finishers, so there must have been a couple hundred more registered), so that’s probably part of the reason. I’m not sure why they shrunk the field – maybe it’s because the townies were getting upset. (Remember during last year’s race, during those final eight miles on the country roads there were a couple dudes on the side of the road with “protest” signs about how the race was ruining their town or whatever.)
I went out for my first ride since the Ironman this morning. Just three pretty easy loops in Central Park. It was a beautiful morning and I was ready to get on the bike again. The ride went well. I feel relatively well recovered already, which is great news. The soreness/tightness in my calves is gone (that lasted until Thursday).
My only remaining issue is my right knee, which I am a little worried about. It hurts. It started hurting about 2/3 of the way through the marathon last Sunday and is still bothering me. The pain is actually in the lower right corner of my knee cap and a little below. It hurts when I extend my knee/lower leg, but not when I bend it. It hurt for the first couple pedal strokes this morning, but after that was 100% fine. I’m icing and using my Trigger Point stuff to roll out my quad and IT band. I’m also getting a massage on Monday night. I’m going to do some strength training tomorrow. I’m not going to do any running until it feels better. I’m not worried yet, but hopefully this will work itself out soon!
Recovery swim – July 21
Time: 10 minutes
Mirror Lake
Recovery swim – July 22
Time: 15 minutes
Mirror Lake
Swim – July 24
Distance: 1,000 yards
Time: 20 minutes
Bike – July 26
Distance: 27.3 miles
Time: 1:37
Average heart rate: 120
Course: West Side to Central Park, 3 loops
Conditions: Beautiful! Mid-70’s, sunny, no wind