what's next?

So, I'm thrilled to say the marathon is past now.

Very brief recap - I DNF'd. I slipped on some cups at mile 10 water stop and wrenched my back trying to stay off the ground. Kept going at glacial pace, but felt worse the further I went, and when I reached my family near the mile 18 mark, I called it quits. Not my best day, but met some amazing people and had fun. Most important of all, with the help of family and friends, I raised $5400+ for Neuroblastoma research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. That is literally the only reason I was out there on race day. So using that as my guide, the day was a complete success.

As for my back, it took about a week and a half, but with some low key cardio to get the muscles warm, and gentle stretching, my back seems to be fine now. The first day after the race, well, I looked like I was 90 years old, but yep, back to normal now.

Anyways, having said all that....

I'm running just small stuff now, 3- and 4-milers, will throw a 6-miler in on the weekend, and am loving it again. No pressure, just enjoying it.

I'm in the lottery for the NYC Half, and should know in the next week or so if I got an entry for the race, which is late March sometime. If I get in, I'll slowly ramp my mileage up again. If I don't get in, I'll just keep doing what I'm doing, maybe getting myself back up to 20-25 miles a week by May. No pressure, just fun and fitness. And 100-on-100 in August. :-)