Posts Tagged ‘5k race’
9/9/12 – A RACE! The Athleta Iron Girl
Posted by admin in Training (running, cycling, etc.) on September 10th, 2012
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.
9/11/11 – Ran the Athleta Iron Girl 5K
Posted by admin in Training (running, cycling, etc.) on September 11th, 2011
What a momentous day. I remember where I was 10 years ago when the first plane hit the World Trade Center in NYC – in Atlanta getting ready to go to class. I had The Today Show with Katie Couric and Matt Lauer to keep me company while going through the morning ritual of getting ready when all of a sudden, a smoking WTC was the only thing on camera. I had no idea what was going on. Then, while watching the smoking tower, a second plane hit.
Yes, I, and millions of other people who were just drinking their morning coffee, watched it happen in real time. Shocked beyond the ability to actually process what was going on, I went to class only to find that no one knew what had happened. I ended up leaving class and going back to the TV for the latest news and to hopefully get some guidance as to what was happening and how I should deal with it.
Was I in danger? Should I leave Atlanta for a safer place, like my hometown? Should I be scared, outraged, sad? All of the above? So many thoughts, such a helpless feeling.
Through it all, I clung to fact that we are a strong nation. We are a people who, like siblings, will not let others put us down. That day was also my cousin’s 16th birthday. What a day 10 years ago. What a difference 10 years makes.
My cousin is 26 today and planning her wedding. I live 3000 miles from Atlanta. Katie Couric is no longer on the Today Show. The USA is still recovering, but very much alive and free. AND in my own personal battle, I have overcome prescription orthotics, and I ran my first 5K in my VFFs!!!
The Iron Girl races always focus on women and overcoming adversity be it weight, health, cancer, disease, etc. Today, they also paid tribute to the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. One big motivator for me was a woman who ran my pace right in front of me. On her back she had a sign saying, “I am running this race in honor of my dad who lost his life in the WTC 9/11/01.” I felt that I would take that and run with it. I ran this race not only for myself, but also for all those who lost their lives, gave their lives or lost loved ones to 9/11 and the aftermath of war that followed.
It was not a great distance in the whole scheme of racing, but it is a huge accomplishment, none the less.
Just as before the energy was infectious. I ran much slower than I do in practice b/c I was afraid that if I went too fast, I would have to stop to catch my breath. So, I ran more conservatively than I would have liked. Had I to do it again, I would have picked up the pace, at least on the last mile. However, my stats are as follows:
Total Time: 31:55 (32:50 last year)
Pace: 10:18 per mile (10:34 pace last year)
Division place: 64 out of 268 (I was 65 out of 303 last year)
Overall place: 312 out of 1433 running the 5K (371/1371 last year)
I am happy about the slight decrease in pace. (Although, I have been averaging 9 minute miles on my shorter training runs of 1.5 miles). However, now that I see I can make it 3 miles in my VFFs and still walk (am still able to walk and move my ankles, which I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to do), I think I will up my mileage considerably – at least to 2 miles in a few days. 🙂
I am also pledging to continue updating the blog regularly as it is a very useful training tool as far as keeping me honest when doing weight training and rehab.
See y’all soon!
1/12/11 – New Year and Almost One Whole Year!
Posted by admin in Reflections on January 12th, 2011
I’m BAAAAACK!!!
Yes, I found a big rock and hid for the fall, but now it’s time to get back down to work since the one year anniversary of my adventure to become a barefoot runner started. I still have the Village – Dr. Larry – Chiropractor, Lynda – Massage Therapist, and Melissa – Personal Trainer. I really do believe that I have the best people keeping me functioning in a healthy way, and Dr. Larry keeps saying he’s really impressed with Melissa, which is a big vote of confidence for a Chiropractor to respect a Personal Trainer! Apparently, some Personal Trainers have been known to have their clients do exercises that are very hard and not good for your back, but NOT Melissa! She’s awesome! and good for your back 🙂
Here’s what’s up: the feet are growing some really nice veins. In case you have never looked at a pair of really healthy feet, they have some excellent thick, blue veins running along the arches and the outside of the foot. I had never really considered veins as beautiful, until I started getting a nice popping set of my own! They are fantastic! Plus, they indicate active feet in need of more blood. It just doesn’t get much better….
Except when you consider that I have progressed in my workouts to the point where I can squat 75 lbs! Yes, 75 lbs!!! It is quite an accomplishment, if I do say so myself.
My shoulder continues to get better, and then flair up with regularity. This is something that I find quite disappointing.
Important TRUTH:
When you injure a major joint, the real healing of your wound will most likely take MONTHS!!! Think 6 months or more. Be careful with your body during times of healing and above all be patient.
These are points that I try to make to myself each day that my shoulder flairs up again because I did too many shoulder protraction/retraction moves. I give it a few days of rest and ice, then try again once it feels normal.
I’m going to begin a new running routine this weekend or tomorrow, whichever day I get out and start. It’s cold and rainy. Running in the rain when it is cold is just plain nasty. So, I’ll start when I start.
I’m aiming for running the 5k at Whidbey Island in April. That gives me plenty of time to get the body going in that direction. Also, it’s good to have a goal – especially a race where the energy is high, and you get a medal at the end 😉
Here’s to being spry at 70! Yeehaw!