This Sunday, I participated once again in the Athleta Iron Girl race. Unfortunately, I am still battling the inflamed posterior tibial tendon, which meant a battle with myself the night before. Basically, I am terrified of running because I always hurt myself more when I run. I especially hurt myself more in races because I want to keep going. So, I was unsure as to whether or not this was a good idea.
My physical therapist said that it would be ok. I ran into Coach Denise and Asst. Coach Althea at Dr. Larry’s office on Friday (SO COOL!), and they didn’t really say yay or nay. They just told me to do what I thought would be best for me.
Thus, there I am on Saturday night trying to figure out which side of the fence to land on. Then, I looked at the finisher medal. That’s it. It’s a medal for finishing. I don’t have to win. I don’t have to best my time. I just have to finish.
Ok.
Saturday, I picked up my race packet and downgraded my race from the 10K to the 5K since I knew that I would definitely reinjure myself in a 10K. They made me give up my awesome bib, which was personalized with my name as well as #199. I signed up really early to get that number. I put up a little bit of a fight – read whined – and got on with life.
Sunday, I went to the race with my awesome husband in his “TEAM ERIN” signature shirt and found the coaching team. I ran the first part of the race with a team member, Janna, who was running the 10K. It was lovely to run and chat, but then probably 1.75 miles in, my ankles started to hurt. Since I had promised myself that I would stop if it hurt, I said goodbye to Janna and wished her luck. Then, I walked pretty much the rest of the way until I could sprint down the shoot.
I finished in 38:00:00! Crazy, right! Who gets an even time? This girl!
I looked up last year (2011), and I finished in 31:55. It was my first race in the Vibram Five Fingersâ„¢, and I was super proud of myself as I had bested my time from the previous year, 2010.
Anyway, all day today (Monday) my ankles have gotten progressively more stiff and sore despite two sessions of foam rolling and some self massage. I do not believe they are as bad as they were, but they are definitely more sore than before the race.
Tags: 5k race, posterior tibial tendon