“Hope doesn’t come from calculating whether the good news is winning out over the bad. It’s simply a choice to take action.” – Anna Lappe

My first run since Saturday’s marathon is planned for tonight since recovery from the race has gone very well. It’s a different story than 6 weeks ago when I struggled to get my bearings back – suffering from insomnia and a full body ache for weeks as injuries hampered my training.

Along the way, though, I learned a valuable lesson for my next training phase. In preparation for Grandma’s Marathon, I used a 3-week taper, but it included a half marathon 2 weeks from race day. Since I was already in marathon shape, I didn’t feel I needed a 2-week taper like I used in previous marathons.

While there are a lot of technical aspects to figure out in the coming weeks for my next training cycle, my focus for now will be on running for fun and fitness. And maybe getting back to doing some runs in the morning, which is my favorite time to run. This morning was the first time in months that I didn’t have to force myself out of bed just to start the day.

Also, there are some shorter regional races coming up in the next 2 to 3 weeks. I’m hoping to pick off one or two of those just to experience something new. Details on those races will be posted in a day or two, but for now I’m still glowing from the marathon. Here’s a picture, with my buddy Matt, after we crossed the finish line at Grandma’s Marathon: