Resting In Motion

Hal Higdon is rapidly becoming my hero.

One of the things I like most about the training plan that I'm doing this season is that the day after my long runs is a "cross-training" day. This can mean anything from biking to lifting to just walking a great deal. What's important is that I'm not running, and I'm not sitting still, which is really the best course of action following an exceptionally long run.

With the adrenaline rush I got from yesterday's run, I basically decided that I didn't want to stop, and I really haven't yet. After my run, we headed to a yard sale to benefit a local shelter, after which we went to Target, which is like Toys R Us to twenty-somethings with an under-furnished apartment.

Next came rehearsal, which was thoroughly enjoyable. I picked up some food on the way home, we made margaritas, and then walked down the hill to Zilker Park for a free production of Love's Labour's Lost. After the show, we walked back home, curled up and fell asleep nice and early, exhausted from a long day of doing only the things we wanted to do.

This morning, we slept until after 9, which felt great. Neither of us turned on our alarms, and we just slept until we felt like waking up. When that happened, we got a little bit of breakfast, and then went downtown to the Pecan Street Festival which was nice, though a little bit too warm. There was a lot of great art down there, but I didn't happen to have an extra $400 for any of the really good stuff, so we just enjoyed what we saw and continued walking around.

From there it was up to Hickory Street for a little lunch, and then back home for some television and relaxation before I head back to rehearsal tonight for our first night on the actual stage.

That, my friends, is a weekend. It was full of interesting experiences, lots of family time, and not too much money spent. That's the perfect storm, in my opinion.

I had a little bit of leg stiffness when I woke up this morning, but it had dissipated by midday, just from getting out and walking a bit. I wouldn't say that I actually cross-trained today, necessarily, but I did keep myself in motion. This evening, we'll be working on a lot of physical things from my show, so that might help, too. I'm not too concerned about it, because I'm looking forward to getting back on the road tomorrow. After a strong performance on Saturday, I have a great deal of confidence going into these next few weeks.

I'm at the maximum level of miles per week that I will have at any point in this season, which is over 40 miles for 3 of the next 4 weeks. For that reason, I'll be taking my rest days very seriously. Combine that with the fact that I'll be starting technical rehearsals tomorrow night, and I run the risk of getting seriously drained. So I have to be smart, strong, and devoted.

And tomorrow I've got to get up early.