Race Recap: Yep you read that right

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.

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. 

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!

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.

So proud of my running partner- 3rd place in the old lady category! JK, Carrie!

Ankle day after 5k- not to bad according to the cat.

Harrigan's race recap/PR!

 I was a bit nervous going into this race since I haven't run a race since the Columbus half marathon in October.  I'd run the Harrigan's 5k in Kettering last year and pr'd  running a 21:40.  Ten seconds faster than my old high school pr of 21:50. 

I wasn't expecting anything to great this year.  I figured that my training runs have been about 8:30 pace so I'd probably do better so I was hoping for around 22-23 mins.  I didn't want to set myself up for disappointment.  My training has been much lighter than last year by this time.  In fact, I only ran 2 times this week.  At the same time, I've been surprised how much spinning 3-4 times a week has kept in in shape as I dealt with plantar fasciitis.  I have felt stronger on my runs and consistently run about 8:30 pace for training.  I decided this race, I would not look at my Garmin for my pace, but to just go on how I felt...

 COLD...it was COLD.  Brrrr.  I got to Harrigan's about 40 mins before and stood around with everyone else.  I was totally regretting my fashionable running skirt,  cute purple compression socks, t-shirt, arm warmers (with my hoodie as my only cover up!)  It was cold.  35 degrees.  Everyone else was wearing tights, jackets, earbands, etc.    I knew once I started running I'd be fine, but that was a long 40 minutes!

Start to mile 1-  Forgot to start my Garmin until for about 40  6:seconds after the start (rookie Garmin user) doh.  I passed a bunch of girls I knew (who are much younger than me, and my motivation for the rest of the race- really hoping they wouldn't pass me later in the race).  I couldn't feel my feet yet.  They were frozen blocks of ice.  Reached the first mile in 6:40-  starting to panic a bit, that has to be my "adult" PR for a mile. 

Mile 2-3 Hoping keep it up...I kept waiting to feel "the burning lungs, I'm going to throw up" stage where I slow down and back off.  Nothing. Passed the 2 mile marker 13:something.  Pretty good.  Started to recognize the course from the beginning which meant it was almost done.  I pushed it as much as a I could.  Turned the corner, saw the finish line, saw that timer was still at 20 mins.  What?!  By the time I reached the finish line it was 21:13 (6:51 pace).  I'll take it.  Wow.  How'd that happen? I dropped 27 seconds off my 5k time.  That's huge. 

So, for someone who hates running on the track (umm, Carrie, talking to you), spinning definitely helps with the speed. I'm so happy to see that it does actually help my running.  I've been having a hard time looking at my schedule to try to fit in spinning. It can be such a hassle at our rec since there are only 14 bikes and you have to get there 50 minutes before to line up otherwise you're out.  By the end of the evening it can take almost 2 hrs of your night,  not good when the spring gets going and kids have soccer starting soon. 

So my stats are bit messed up since I started my Garmin late.

Mile 1- 6:40 at mile 1 clock (Garmin time 6:55)
Mile 2- Garmin time 7:12
Mile 3- Garmin time  6:31 (wow, did i really run that fast?! at the end?!)
Overall time for Garmin: 20:38
Overall Official race time 21:13
Place overall: 49/970
Place in sex:  11 overall female- I didn't count the rest, the results didn't sort them by sex
Place in age group 2nd!
Oh, btw- those girls never did pass me.  Looks like I'll get some street cred with them! :-)

Plantar fasciitis has no mercy

 I hate to see anyone have to suffer through plantar fasciitis.  I can not imagine how frustrating it must be if you were on the U.S. Olympic marathon team and have to train through it.  It's so painful- not while you run but as soon as you stop.  Ryan Hall, I wish you a speedy recovery! 
 ryan-hall-has-plantar-fasciitis
If you don't know how fast he his...check out this video

But on a side note, it is good to see that even elite runners (like the rest us "normal" runners) get plantar fasciitis - and they have to do all the same things for recovery.   Night splints, golf balls, frozen water bottles, stretching, double checking with a MRI, shockwave therapy (that was next for me),...and you just have to wait.  There is no magic pill.  Most of the stuff I read while suffering through my PF said it would usually last no more than 4 to 12 months.  If you are a runner, that's an eternity!  Mine lasted 3.5 months then just went away one day. 

I still have twinges if I do too much, mostly just a stiff foot after sitting down for awhile at night but no pain.  I'm trying to make sure I cross train and not do too much running on consecutive days.


Speaking of training:  so far this week...

Sunday- 6.2 miles (treadmill)

Monday- 3.5 miles (treadmill- hills)

Tuesday- 20.4 miles spinning (legs were dead- bad workout)

Wednesday (today)-??  I wanted to run since the weather is great, but I have my first night of a running clinic and I'm not sure what to expect so I don't want to be wiped out- also probably need a rest day at some point.

Thursday- spinning night/or running- depends on the weather :-)
Friday- easy 3
Saturday- my first race of 2012- Harrigan's 5k. 

Just a normal week...

Wow! Totally failing on blogging this week. 

Buster & Cub snuggling @7am after stumbling out to say bye before I head to work.

 

 

Got to be like big brother!

A few days off of work is always nice.  Managed to get in my training with this awesome February weather here in Ohio.  I'm loving it! 40-50 degrees w/ NO snow! Awesome for running. I bet there will be a ton of PR's/fast early races here in Ohio since everyone has been able to get out and run.

I have 2 little races in my future.  I'm running "the Greene goes Red 2 mile race" this Saturday with Cub.  I've been waiting to run with him since this fall.  I was supposed to run a 5k at the end of October but I was injured so...now we get to!  2 miles is perfect too.  It's actually supposed to be chilly (35 degrees) on Sat so a short race with Cub will be perfect. 

I also went ahead and signed up for the Harrigan's 5k which is on March 10th.  It's were I PR'd last year beating my old high school PR from 18 years ago. (wow...I'm old!)  Anyways, it was a great run and I'm looking forward to see what I'll do this year.  I really think my spinning classes have really improved my running.  I feel stronger and faster so I can't wait to push myself in a race to see where I'm at.  Plus it's on the training plan for the PIG. 


This week/last week:
Friday: 3.5 miles
Saturday: Spinning (19 miles/600 calories)
Sunday: 4.6 miles
Monday: 3.5 miles
Tuesday: Spinning (20 miles/620 calories)
Wednesday: 4.6 miles w/hills
Tomorrow:  spinning?
Friday: off
Saturday: 2 miles

So I noticed I didn't actually take any day off last week. I did cardio everyday.  Is that ok? I figure I'm not doing high impact everyday...and I still need to work in weights.  I'm wondering, is it better to fit in lifting after spinning? or after running?