Wednesday 31 August 2016

The aftermath

So, I completed a triathlon (in case you hadn't heard...) and cried when I crossed the finish line. Tears of joy, tears of achievement? I am not quite sure, but fortunately the tears didn't last and I was soon back to normal again. 

But what happened afterwards though? After I had gotten the medal and the drink and all the congratulations? Well, I got a few more congratulations and then a few more still. But, the most important thing I got was a massage. Of the shoulder and neck area, because I knew that's where the bother would start if I wasn't careful. 

The massage was painful. Very very very painful. The muscles were so tight and stiff, it took a bit of pain to get them to loosen up a bit. But, after a while the pain lessened and when the masseur was finished (a lovely young man who knew where I came from just by looking at the ribbons in my hair), I felt better. 

As we went and picked up our bikes and other assorted stuff, I started to get a bit cold. I hadn't thought of bringing a cardigan or sweater to the finish line (via somebody else) and the weather was about to turn. But fortunately I did have it in my bag and it had stayed dry as well. 

Once I got home and had taken a long wanted shower, I could feel my head starting to work and I wondered why. I had had that massage and I had had a really hot shower. I went to work on Monday, but had to call in sick halfway through. My head was killing me and I was so thirsty! Basically I had a case of dehydration and since everything wrong with me always shows up in my head first...

Over the last few days I have been drinking a lot and trying to eat a lot of salty foods. And yes, I do feel better today (Wednesday), so I will be back at work tomorrow. 

Now, for the aches and pains in muscles and such. A few years ago I went on this walk and it took me more than a week for my body to heal from the onslaught it had had. This time? Yes, I felt my legs on Monday, but it didn't hurt, it didn't bother me, I just could feel that I had done something extra. Other than that: nothing.

As I said in my last post already: I am going to take part in next year's triathlon as well. There is enough room for improvement to make it even more fun. Because even though I said it wasn't fun, that was only the lack of water talking. 

For now though it will be a bit of break from training. And then next week another big thing on the calendar: my holiday with my sister (and Brom of course). 

I want to thank each and every one of you who supported me so much. Both in the virtual and the real world. Without you I would never have been able to make it!

15 comments:

  1. Such a great post, Mara. You learned so much from your experience, it was great to read about it. Well done!

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    1. I learned to give a great many spectators bottles of water to give me when needed!! And to listen to my PiC who told me to drink and drink and drink...

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  2. Hari Om
    Oh yes, it is important to keep up the fluids - and energy drinks - for a while after the racing. The only time I get a 'fuzzy-head-achy-' (unless am sick) is when I am dehydrated. Your body also worked out the lactic acid well, if not too many aches - excellent! Will be looking forward to this news as much as the boat race next summer &*> YAM xx

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    1. I should have drunk more before and during as well, which I didn't do. At least not enough. As for the rest of the body: very pleased with my recovery speed. That is certainly promising.

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  3. I cannot even imagine the tense and sore muscles....hydration is a big deal and I didn't realize it until reading your post just HOW important it is to stay very hydrated during vigorous exercise.
    I'm glad you are feeling better
    Hugs Cecilia

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  4. Our mom says she totally understands! But now that you have accomplished this perhaps you should consider continuing with a lighter version of the training?

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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    1. I will continue with a lighter version, but not until after my holiday. And then from next spring onward, I will start with the heavier training sessions again. So I can be the best I can in next year's triathlon!

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  5. You sure have problems with your head. I might have already mentioned that I have had a headache for Mayen almost two months. Light but constant. I will see the doctor next month.

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  6. Crikey Mara .... You did so well and your recovery wasn't all that bad, either. I can't believe the organisers of the race didn't have drink stations set up. All of our fun runs have them so the competitors can pick up a drink on the way. There are drink bottle holders you can get for your bike too. This might be worth looking into for next time. I bet your running all of that final leg next year.

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    1. I have a bottle holder and a full bottle on my bike. I just didn't drink it for some obscure reason. Next year I definitely will! As for drinks stations, there was one of those as well, straight after the shifting zone on my way to the running part. But there were a lot of athletes milling about and I never thought about it. I think my best bet for next year would be having my own personal drinks stations (ie spectators) in the finish zone, since we pass that three times anyway!

      I am planning to learn how to crawl instead of breast stroke for the swimming and properly being able to run instead of walk. And you know, I am already looking forward to next year!

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  7. So much to be proud of. You are an inspiration.

    Abby Lab's Mom Lin in Chicago

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  8. I suppose you can't put your body through that and not expect some afterpain. Just keep looking at that medal and smiling.

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  9. That was so much for your body to go through. Glad you head is better. Have a great time with your sister.

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  10. My 76 year old husband bikes when the weather is cool enough. He has a backpack that holds water that he drinks through connection that he can just sucks on. He likes that better than the bottle while he is biking. The bottle works when he stops. Different brands camelbak is what he has.

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Any weighty (and not so weighty) comments are welcome!