Sunday's half marathon was the next to last race in the MRTC Road Race Series. That means I am a month away from the St. Jude Marathon. And what an experience.....
This was my first time running in a week and a half. The last time I tried to run I had a terrible pain on the very first step I took. It was odd because I had been up and walking around all night at work and never had even the slightest hint of pain. Not even as I was walking out the door to go run. In hindsight it was probably a case of overuse. The night before I had done some fartleks. I had not done any speed work in a while so I pushed it a little. I felt great afterwards and the next morning. The reason I ran like that was because I had to change my schedule to get my workouts in. I probably should have rested instead.
After talking to my old running partner/coach and two other trainers I was convinced it would be best not to run the half marathon on Sunday. That was a terrible feeling because I really want to get that Road Warrior trophy for finishing all ten races in the series. I really didn't want the knee to become an issue this close to the marathon.
That was the plan. Until the unlikliest person talked me into running it. My wife gave me a little pep talk and kinda challenged me. After I explained the situation to her the conversation went like this:
The race started out pretty well. I knew I needed to take it easy and not start out too fast because I wasn't sure how my knee or the rest of my body would react after the long layoff. I kept a pretty good pace, maybe an 8:00 - 8:30 pace. I fogot my watch so I am just guessing by the way I felt.
The first half of the race went really well. No pain anywhere other than a little soreness in my hamstrings. I was actually excited about that soreness because I knew I was working them pretty well. (Warning sign? I don't see no stinking warning sign!)
Once I got to the halfway point it was time to turn and go back the way we came. Into the wind. That was probably a good thing because it kept me from really trying to speed up. I didn't want to fight the wind so I just kept a steady pace. The next few miles went well also. I started getting tired but nothing terrible.
I was able to push myself a little without any pain.
When I was about 100 yards away from the 11 mile marker I started to think about walking. That usually happens towards the end of a half marathon for me. Always about the same place. And just like every other time it happens I reminded myself that I DO NOT walk and that I am almost done.
And then it happened.....a sniper shot to the right hamstring! (There were no buildings around so the gunman must have been on a grassy knoll.) I limped to the 11 mile marker spouting off obscenities. From there I walked about a half mile. I started back running but at a much slower pace.
Once I got to the 13 mile marker all I could think was "I just have 1/10th of a mile left!" I thought I could push through and finish strong but the hammy just kept tightening up so I limped to the finish line. But I made it.
It was great not having the knee be an issue, but discouraging about the hammy. I'll just have to stretch it and get it right for my next half marathon in two weeks.
I am so glad that my wife talked me into running the race. I would have been miserable if I didn't run that race and missed out on being a Road Warrior.
This was my first time running in a week and a half. The last time I tried to run I had a terrible pain on the very first step I took. It was odd because I had been up and walking around all night at work and never had even the slightest hint of pain. Not even as I was walking out the door to go run. In hindsight it was probably a case of overuse. The night before I had done some fartleks. I had not done any speed work in a while so I pushed it a little. I felt great afterwards and the next morning. The reason I ran like that was because I had to change my schedule to get my workouts in. I probably should have rested instead.
After talking to my old running partner/coach and two other trainers I was convinced it would be best not to run the half marathon on Sunday. That was a terrible feeling because I really want to get that Road Warrior trophy for finishing all ten races in the series. I really didn't want the knee to become an issue this close to the marathon.
That was the plan. Until the unlikliest person talked me into running it. My wife gave me a little pep talk and kinda challenged me. After I explained the situation to her the conversation went like this:
What she said: When I played sports and had an injury, if I could walk around and there was no problems I would play. If it only hurts sporadically it's probably not injured.When it was presented to me like that I had no choice: time to man up!
What I heard: Stop being a p*ssy and run the f*cking race you little b*tch!
The race started out pretty well. I knew I needed to take it easy and not start out too fast because I wasn't sure how my knee or the rest of my body would react after the long layoff. I kept a pretty good pace, maybe an 8:00 - 8:30 pace. I fogot my watch so I am just guessing by the way I felt.
The first half of the race went really well. No pain anywhere other than a little soreness in my hamstrings. I was actually excited about that soreness because I knew I was working them pretty well. (Warning sign? I don't see no stinking warning sign!)
Once I got to the halfway point it was time to turn and go back the way we came. Into the wind. That was probably a good thing because it kept me from really trying to speed up. I didn't want to fight the wind so I just kept a steady pace. The next few miles went well also. I started getting tired but nothing terrible.
I was able to push myself a little without any pain.
When I was about 100 yards away from the 11 mile marker I started to think about walking. That usually happens towards the end of a half marathon for me. Always about the same place. And just like every other time it happens I reminded myself that I DO NOT walk and that I am almost done.
And then it happened.....a sniper shot to the right hamstring! (There were no buildings around so the gunman must have been on a grassy knoll.) I limped to the 11 mile marker spouting off obscenities. From there I walked about a half mile. I started back running but at a much slower pace.
Once I got to the 13 mile marker all I could think was "I just have 1/10th of a mile left!" I thought I could push through and finish strong but the hammy just kept tightening up so I limped to the finish line. But I made it.
It was great not having the knee be an issue, but discouraging about the hammy. I'll just have to stretch it and get it right for my next half marathon in two weeks.
I am so glad that my wife talked me into running the race. I would have been miserable if I didn't run that race and missed out on being a Road Warrior.
Glad you were able to finish. Sorry you injured yourself.
ReplyDeleteThanks. My inability to rest my injuries reminds me of a certain yoga teacher that we know. Haha!
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