Well, after my visit with the doctor, I ruled out running the 5k.
You know, since you have to actually run in it,
and those were pretty much the only instructions the doctor gave me:
DON'T RUN FOR 6 WEEKS.
And, up until about an hour before the race, I planned on NOT running it. But, as the evening wore on, I was feeling more and more antsy to get out there and just run it. The race start time was 9pm. At about 8:15 we got home from watching a friend's baseball game and I was going to head right back out by myself to the race to watch my friend. Instead, I changed into my running clothes at lightning speed, called my friend and told her I was getting dressed and would be there as soon as possible and would meet her near the start. My husband and kids ended up driving me there, thinking they would just drop me off and let my friend drive me home. I pinned my race bib on in the car. We got there at about 8:35 (not bad!). I saw Jim from 50...after 40 pass right by us as we walked from where we were parked to the start. I knew he was doing his warm-up run. It was pretty crowded at the start area but I was able to meet up with two of my co-workers (and saw tons of people we knew along the way--I kind of forgot it was such a popular local race). The weather was beautiful, cooler than it has been and not nearly as humid. I was pretty stoked (oh, you thought that was a word only surfers could use?).
As it got close to 9pm, I said goodbye to my husband and kids who were just going to stay to see us cross the starting line. There were markers for where to stand for different pace groups, but I hung back thinking I was definitely going to have to take it easy (actually, I promised my husband I would take it easy). So when the start was announced I didn't even make it across the starting line for about a minute. I waved at my family and I was off. It was really crowded and I was still assessing my leg situation (sore, but not too bad) so it was slow going for about the first half mile. After that I was feeling really good and started to speed up and weave my way through the crowd. When we reached the 1 mile marker, the lady called out something like 10:23. I knew I could go faster than that and my leg was actually feeling good. From that point on I felt like I just slowly but steadily increased my pace as I worked to pass other runners. I had a lot of "oops" moments when I'd almost get shoved out between two people or try to get between a runner and a parked car with what ended up being not quite enough room. Generally speaking, it was great fun ( : I finally started to feel like I was actually getting tired at about 2.5, but knew I was close to the finish. I focused on each runner that I wanted to overtake and actually made it happen. I was having a total blast!! I crossed the finish at 28:58 with a chip time of 27:59, and there was my whole family cheering me on! They'd decided to stay and see me finish! It was pretty awesome. I was pretty happy with my time, especially since I definitely didn't give it all I had. I came in 9th out of 65 in my age group (a single-digit place! isn't there a medal for that??). No matter how I placed, I was so pshyched just to see my name in print on the results page. I'm definitely feeling like I've got the race bug now...
I ran into Jim and his daughter, Madi, after the race near the food and water tables. We got to talk for a few minutes, but I still didn't get to meet Michael! Soon, hopefully. By the way, Jim totally KILLED IT last night. 1st in age group and 15th overall, I believe. And, his daughter Madi PR'd! Very impressed!!
So, my leg felt really good while I was running last night and isn't feeling too shabby today. I iced it for a long time after I got home last night and took some ibuprofin last night and this morning. I'm feeling kind of unsure about the diagnosis at this point. And, of course, I'd love to think that I really don't need to stay off the running for six weeks...what do you think???
It was great to see you again and AWESOME run!!! Like we talked about at the race, I would probably run through it, but I'm not very smart about things like that ... probably best to listen to the doc. But as runners it's like we're on a mission to destroy our legs, so I get that you ran! Good job, hope your leg stays "not too shabby!"
ReplyDeleteDon't listen to my husband, and listen to the Dr.....with that said, I was diagnosed with a stress fracture last fall and I never fully took off. I didn't run as much but I did a lot of run/walking....alot.
ReplyDeletethis is such a hard decision. I would say be very cautious. If you push the limits, 6 weeks may turn into months.
ReplyDeleteI totally "get" race fever. I have it most of the time. congrats! great race!
I'm sorry I wasn't able to join you for your 2nd night time run...was that really 1997?! I would have loved to join you and I'm sure we could have done way better than we did the first time around. Sounds like you did a great job despite the injury didn't hold you back too much. Imagine if you were healthy! I understand why you couldn't resist running, but I think that you should take it a bit easy. Like the previous comment says, weeks could turn into months if you aren't careful. You only get one body so treat it well, even if that is mentally difficult. Let yourself heal so you can get back to training for the half marathon in October. Next night time 5k we do together!
ReplyDeleteTough one, but I am always the one to err on the side of caution. It may feel better b/c it has healed some, but probably not enough. I wouldn't mess around with a sfx. Sorry!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on running the race well and without injury! 9th place is awesome!
ReplyDeleteI'd take off some time. It's better to take off six weeks than three months. I pushed myself before and regretted it. At the very least, I'd take three weeks off and ease back into it, IMHO.
Good luck!
congrats and um, I'm not one to listen to doctors, although I probably should :) If you feel great, just be easy and listen to your body!!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on a good run! I tend to be cautious with injury, but do believe that you know yourself the best. So usually, there's a balance you can achieve - somewhere between "no running for 6 wks" and "I'm sure 3 miles SLOOOWWWW won't hurt anyone" :)
ReplyDeleteI strained my achilles 3 wks before my first half-marathon. Can you say D-E-V-E-S-T-A-T-E-D? Doctor said there was no way I'd run it. But then he handed my some heel inserts (still use to this day 10+ years later) that minimize the degree the achilles stretch. I walked and then jogged for the remaining training, was able to run the race very slowly and (so far) have not reinjured it. Balance - it can be done!