Epiphany

I had one today as I attempted to run a 30K for 'training.' 18.6+ miles, a distance I've run a trillion times before, should not have hurt as much as it did today. Let me back up. I have not run for 8 days, not one step. I have cross trained like a fiend, going super hard on the stationary bike, elliptical and also pool running hard. Those workouts were so, so challenging and I know they keep me in great cardiovascular shape... but NOTHING can prepare me for running as much as running itself. And there in lies the epiphany.

Yes folks, my experiment was not a success. It was quite a failure as far as running goes. But I learned quite a bit out there today. I learned that I'm through feeling sorry for myself and that I'm at peace with my injury and the need for me to not run fast for a long time. I learned that Clarksburg, CA is a pretty little winery town situated along the Sacramento River. I learned that there is no reason to get upset when runners in their 60s or runners who literally weigh twice my body weight pass me on the race course. In fact, I found that so inspiring! It felt good to look over at them and root them on. I learned that I am so blessed to be able to enjoy the outdoors and physical activity, like I did today. There are people all over this world that can't walk, can't leave their homes, can't even fathom the idea of physical exercise let alone run. Either due to injury, illness, disease, what have you.

As I plodded along in the last 5-6 miles of the 30K, watching dozens of people pass my sorry, limping booty, I felt thankful. Competition comes from a latin word that means "to seek together," and I reminded myself of that today when I was able to just look around at all the runners: old, young, fast, slow, skinny, overweight, male, female. We were all out there seeking something better for our lives TOGETHER! It was really amazing to think about.

Now, onto the nitty gritty. I felt some nagging ache in the foot/ankle early on, but then I seemed to get into a groove and even ran several of the miles at a cruise tempo pace. The aches were still there, but not so bad that I couldn't continue running. Then at mile 10-1/2, the sharp, acute injury pain came out of nowhere! Like a cyclone hit. Even walking fast made it hurt. That was the beginning of the end for me. And at that moment, I said, "Just do what you can to enjoy the rest of this race." That being said, I tried to DNF (did not finish) at mile 11 and again at mile 15, but the sweet people at the aid stations said if I wanted a ride back, I'd have to wait until they shut their stations down and it would be a long wait. I actually asked spectators if they'd give me a ride back and they were there waiting for runners to come by and didn't want to leave. I don't blame them! Anyway, I knew my hubby and youngest son were waiting for me at the finish and I didn't want them to worry so I just kept going. I mostly limped, and when I was able to 'run' it was more like a hobble-jog.

I saw my family just before I got to the finish line, and it was the happiest moment ever! I hugged them and then hobble jogged to the finish.

My coach ran the 30 K as a workout, and it turned out that his workout paces were faster than the fastest guys racing, so he won by over a minute and a half! The general manager of the running store where I work part time also ran today and he got third in his age group and placed 6th over all. That is no easy feat because the guys out there today were fast! Seriously fast, like 5:00/mile fast.

My friends Kim and Toxie ran so well. Kim won the 20 mile race (women's division) and ran very fast, and Toxie came in third in his age group (and about a minute ahead of Kim). Outstanding!

Well, I'm going to go back to cross training, but also include a few days a week of easy running along with a long run at an easy pace. I think my body and foot are so 'dead' because I ran that distance after taking over week off (and because I'm injured anyway). So now I know my body does not do well on a plan like that. I like experiments! :)

P.S. I got a lot of compliments on my outfit today... of course, a running skirt from www.runningskirts.com, a matching tank (also from rs.com) and knee high compression socks. I think it was the socks & the skirt combo.