The last 2 years I've done this 5k both times I've bettered my old high school 5k PR of 21:50. Two years ago, it was 21:30 and last year it was 21:13. I love this race! How can you not when you PR every time? Maybe because it is always chilly and a ton of people who are fast run it, maybe because it's close enough to home, I don't have to get up so early to get there.
Whatever it is, this year was no different....except for my stinking ankle. I PR'd again, this time though, it would be my Personal Record worse run 33:31. I'm not ashamed of it, it is what it is, and I ran 2/3 of it. Let me back up to last weekend.
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| 9 wks and swollen again. |
My friend had a free entry into the Harrigan's race this year and wanted to know if I could do it. I've been running (
if you can call it that) for the last 3 weeks (
just once a week- test out the ankle) and on last Friday I ran 1 mile pain free. (
Just some stiffness). Anyways, I said sure. I can always walk it. Then on Sunday this is what my ankle looked like:---------->
Now, I'm doubtful. I hadn't even done anything, except chill out at home without the ankle brace. WTH? So all week, I wondered if I should just bail or walk the whole thing. I decided finally after the swelling went down and some good PT sessions to just go for it and walk the first half of the race and run the second part.
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| Bernie and I after the race. |
Day of the race, meaning yesterday, I meet up with my friends Tracy and Bernie at the start of the race. Bernie is going to walk it with me. Yay! I was not looking forward to walk by myself. So, off we go, walking the first mile, trying to stay out of the runner's way. Lots of tutu clad walkers/runners, and some random dudes in gigantic mustache costumes in the back. First mile walked in 15:00 pace, so we start to run. That was the best idea ever!!!!! We passed people the next 2 miles- helped with the depressing idea that I walked in the first place. Mile 2 in 9:15. Ankle felt fine- a bit stiff but no pain. Mile 3 in 9:05- I felt great. In fact, I told Bernie that I was going to push it the last .25 of it and sprinted past a ton of people. According to my Garmin I had a 5:40 pace for a little bit of it!
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| Probably my strongest finish ever! |
Was running a good idea? Yes. Totally worth it for keeping me sane. I can see there is light at the end of this injury tunnel.
Did I feel it later? Yep. My DH doesn't like the comparison to
hamburger with my
ankle- but it just felt raw and chewed up inside the joint, and tight and pulling on the outside. Advil and some ice and I'm feeling a bit better today although it's still tender and I won't be running again (until next weekend-that is).
Next up...Follow up with the Dr. tomorrow if we're not snowed in. 8-10 inches of snow forecast-ed for overnight and I have an 8 am appt. Probably going to have to wait on that one.
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| So proud of my running partner- 3rd place in the old lady category! JK, Carrie! |
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| Ankle day after 5k- not to bad according to the cat. |
