The day after the Marathon, I could blade and walk around fine. Just about every single muscle group on my body was sore but it didn't feel that bad. The second day was when the soreness and pain really hit. ITBS, blisters, black toes, and soreness all descended upon me like vultures sensing my imminent demise. All the different ailments teach me about my body though. Especially the sore muscles. If I strengthen everything that is sore that they are NOT sore after a run, then logically I will be able to run much faster. My cardiovascular system is also pretty far behind the real runners: I've never done speed training to increase oxygen capacity and stamina for running faster. I've got a while to go...

I don't feel negative about the run, of course. There is room for improvement but what I have done I am already happy with. I am also more focused while running than when doing any other activity. The idea, I suppose, is to let that kind of focus rub off on other activities and bring up my productivity and efficiency in general. I don't suppose a goal of 3:10 for 26.2 miles is all that different from a goal of a tenure position at a good research university some years down the line. And besides, there is plenty of time to do both. I've got a while to go.