As I prepped my belongings for this morning’s haul, I was shocked to find I  had left one very essential object out of yesterday’s post.

I never set out for a long run without first applying Bodyglide.  This invisible, non-greasy balm creates a barrier between skin and clothing, reducing the friction that causes chafing.  I put it almost everywhere fabric touches me and am welt free even after logging consecutive hours of sweaty miles.  The best part is that it doesn’t stain or ruin my running outfits.  It’s amazing stuff!
After slathering myself in Bodyglide I set out for the first 4.7 mile portion of an 18-miler with KKD. We traveled side by side, and in tandem when necessary on the busy roads, until we reached the first pause on our journey where we met our pal, TPM. Together the three of us logged 9 miles, stopping briefly once to hit an en route bathroom and twice to refill water bottles. The remaining 4.3 miles KKD and I ran back to where we began, were the toughest by far. It was hot and humid (for Northern California) and my third bottle of fluid was sloshing around in my empty stomach with increasing aggressiveness. I was more thankful than ever to be running with a friend, who kept both me and the conversation going. With about 1.5 miles left to go, a tidal wave of nausea crashed over me and I was certain I was going to toss my cookies egg sandwich, Skratch, water and GU. However, after slowing and walking for a couple minutes, the sensation passed and I was able to finish the run- well, running if not running well. We high-hived, whooped, stretched and made a beeline (via car) for the closest coffee shop.
The post long run nonfat latte is a thing of true beauty. The glorious, creamy foam coats the stomach just enough to ensure that the lovely, bitter caffeine injection will stay down. The first few sips brought me back to pre-run life enough to climb back in my car and venture home. Some people like to eat a small, post-run meal before they shower, but I can’t enjoy my food when I’m filthy, damp and ripe. Getting clean always comes first, followed by comfy clothes selection including these babies:

Compression socks (not to be confused with flesh-colored compression stockings) have been shown in various studies to stimulate blood flow, helping legs to recover faster from a hard run.  When fit properly- snugly but without cutting off the circulation- these socks simulate the feeling that your calves and feet are receiving a long, warm hug.

Once I was presentable enough, I headed out to Safeway for a couple ingredients necessary for some afternoon baking projects.  In efficiency mode, I next swung by a Mexican restaurant to grab some lunch to go for the family.  It was around this time, while I waited for the food, that I   started to get the shakes. I dropped my iPhone and knocked over my water, finally deciding to sit on my hands until the food was ready.  This must be why some people eat before they shower.  Lesson learned.  But once I arrived home and sat down to eat, clean with no impending errands to run, I enjoyed the best chicken and brown rice burrito in a spinach tortilla ever.      I was then ready for the next step in recovery- ibuprofen therapy.  I took some on my full stomach and drank glass after glass of water as I baked brownies and a blueberry cobbler for a friend’s party later that evening.  Once the goodies were baked and the kitchen was clean, it was finally time for my favorite post long run ritual- the nap.  I woke 45 minutes later feeling refreshed, accomplished and excited to have a lot of fun with some good friends.