Post Marathon Blues

This has been my longest period without posting to this blog since I restarted a year ago in May 2011. The Prague International Marathon took a toll on me. Both on physical and emotional levels, higher toll than I expected. And lot had to be done to get me out of it, especially lot of mental work. I am back in full training. And by full training, I mean FULL training ... check out the last week's table at the bottom of this post! (Especially for Advid :) ).

České Budějovice Half Marathon - June 9

A great fun family weekend. I didn't realize when signing in that the race is so soon after the Prague's marathon, so I had it as a great long run, enjoyed the city and company of friends, support of my family. Really cool weekend and I am glad that the RunCzech series are spreading around different towns of the Czech Republic. Real time 1:55:01, took it really easy with my HR between 150 and 160 BPM.

Lot of relax and pressure taking of my back during a weekend I spent at Chateau Liblice (it is a place that my mom is responsible for ... yay!). Room service breakfast, horseback riding, spa and massage treatments, walking in the garden, good food, afternoon nap. Some more horseback riding, playing golf. Yay! After this weekend I couldn't finish my Sunday's training because of my inner thighs being so sore from the horse. But Tuesday after I was finally able to knock down a proper speed session. A girl needs a romantic relax weekend out of reality :o)

In my horseback riding outfit - isn't the room beautifully decorated?!?

Nike Olympic Technologies Event

I had a chance to attend an event where Nike presented the collection for Czech olympic athletes they support. Obviously, I was most impressed by the Flyknit series of the new shoes. Can't wait to check them out!!!

Olympic Day Run - June 20

Used it as a tempo run, because I had a 10 km planned in my training plan anyway. I was so glad to have the given pace at 7:54 min/mile (4:55 min/km). Honestly, in the heat and still being quite tired, I would not have been able to run any harder / faster. Wooops!

Photo by 1bubobubo

Olomouc Half Marathon - June 23

Another race taken as an easy long run. Finally the heart rate is slowly going back down with the sub 2 hour half marathon pace. Met with Martina, Leona and Sára, what a great surprise!!! I tried to go slower than in České Budějovice, but again it was 1:55:45 and nothing closer to 2 hours as The Coach wanted ... woops. Seems that best relax is an evening with after-race drink at nice bar and game of golf next day :o)

Well, I am really sorry to keep you thinking that I was not running. I was just really tired and needed to sort out my motivation. A girl needs a break sometime. It only stroke me when I met Honza yesterday, he told me he was afraid that I was injured. And I knew I had to get back to you my dearest readers, I missed you!!! So I am running and I have been running quite a lot. We are increasing the volume of my mileage, you can see here the two first weeks of July. I officially ran the most miles in one week this past week, going just over 60 miles (96 km ... I will cross that 100 km/week mark very very soon).

Click on the picture to see the detail

Back from running to recovering ... I had this fabulous dinner with my greatest dad, because it was his "name day" as we call it. Great excuse to spend an evening with the greatest man in my life in a really fancy restaurant with beautiful view on the Charle's Bridge and the Prague Castle. A girl needs to dress up really fancy, or at least an occasion to do so! I dig that dress and have to admit that it is vintage :o)

And I still enjoy getting flowers, you can never over-spoil a woman by too many flowers :)

I hope you will forgive me and can't wait to know what is new with you guys!!! I am slowly getting back to blog following as well, so I know some, but tell me anything! How have you been, any news, stories, yummy meals, great vacations?