The Whole Enchilada
Rock'n'Roll USA Half Marathon is now behind me.
THANK GOD.
On the metro before the race
So my hip issue flared up on the metro before the race, so I was consumed with worry over how it would feel for 26.2 miles. I met up at gear check with Helen, Genny, and Jake and we shared a few minutes before splitting off to our separate corrals. The gun went off and we staggered across the start line in waves. About 25 min after the official start, my corral finally began to run. I got swept up in speed (something I'm usually very careful about). About a half mile into the race, I started to realize that this day would be about 13.1 and not 26.2. The 13.1 even seemed too far for my lower legs. I cried, walked a loooong time, told myself to suck it up and trudged on with eventual running (at a decent clip I might add). My hip didn't bother me nearly as much as my calves did...more than just shin pain. Such is my life I guess.
Soooo thrilled.
Usually I remember a good bit about races, but I think I mentally blocked out a lot of the morning since it just wasn't that enjoyable. The water stops seemed a little unprepared, a good bit of the bands seemed to be taking a break when I ran past (kinda ruins the whole point of a RnR race don't you think?) Jake and the girls caught up to me (they were 10 corrals behind me :/ ) and I felt sooo hot the entire run. And the gatorade tasted funky. Needless to say, when I got to the split off for the half and the full, I evaluated how I was feeling and decided that I could suffer through more miles, but might find myself stranded in Anacostia...so I finished with the half. If I had my metro card with me, I probably would have toughed it out a little longer and metroed back to the start. Oh well.
Good things: so great seeing Helen, Jake, and Genny out there in action. Proud of them, and proud of Genny for finishing her first half marathon!!! I love that I have such good friends I can share these experiences with. And I got a tan (weird one, but a tan is a tan)! Every time I run a race is better than a time that I'm jsut out on a training run. I love seeing everyone else out there putting in the effort to accomplish their goals. It's inspiring. Other great part of the race: random house handing out a small bit of beer in a cup. I swear it lifted my energy and spirit. Also, good seeing an LSU house with a familiar face!
But...I'm glad it's over and I can focus on recovering and training for June 2. This week I will hit the gym for non-running cardio and weights ...probably do this all week until I leave for Dubai on FRIDAY!!! If I feel slightly better, I might head to Difficult Run on Wednesday for a group trail run. Those might have to wait until I get back from vacation though. I'm redoing my current schedule so I can ease back into the mileage without causing myself more damage.
My coworker/running friend shared a link about ultra running: http://vanessaruns.com/2012/03/15/7-deadly-lies-you-believe-about-ultrarunning/
I love this: "Many newbies don’t have any support at all. Never expect to go into your first ultra with the full support of all your non-running friend and family. Do you know when people start believing in you? When you prove yourself. When you finish. When you find success. So don’t sit around whining about how nobody supports you. Of course they don’t, and why should they? You haven’t done a damn thing. Your ultra is just crazy talk. Know your potential and go after it with all your strength. When you believe in yourself and prove your ability to finish, others will start believing in you as well.
...
When you run an ultra, you are out on those trails by yourself. You’re facing your demons alone on a terrain that is foreign. There are no motivational signs to lift your spirits. There are no cheering fans to scream your name. But that finish is unlike anything else. It’s yours and yours alone. Nobody can know what it took for you to get there, and nobody can share in your glory. That finish line is where you first realize that you can do anything. If it’s a nod from society you’re looking for, run a marathon. But if it’s a life-changing experience of personal strength and perseverance that you want, finish an ultra.
Ultras are hard for everyone. Ultras are just plain hard. Everyone struggles up that hill. Everyone has trouble breathing. Everyone feels the hot sun. Everyone is sweating. Everyone wants to sit down. Trails can’t tell whether you’re an elite or a newbie. They’ll kick your ass just the same. So you belong here just as much as I do. And I belong here just as much as the dude who wins first place."
AMEN.
Check out the blog list that I have on here of the ones I read, there are some great new ones I found!
A friend of mine posted this today so I gave the advice a shot: http://running.competitor.com/2011/08/injuries/the-10-best-mobility-exercises-for-runners_36329/1
It goes along with a ton of trigger point info I learned (and apparently forgot) a whiiiile back ago at a free DCCS seminar. I have icy hot patches on there since the entire calf area hurts on both legs, seemed easier than lathering the bottom part of both of my legs. I've been using the stick to roll it out, but it hasn't seemed to make much difference.
I *KNOW* I don't have proper foot strike...I'm working on it. But in order to be able to correct that, I need to not be in severe pain when I run (or even fast walk) like I am currently.
I'm really hoping that this website's tricks help me out!
3 days til Dubai.
***almost forgot, another friend showed me bodyrock.tv, definitely going to get into those when I get back from my trip!***
THANK GOD.
So my hip issue flared up on the metro before the race, so I was consumed with worry over how it would feel for 26.2 miles. I met up at gear check with Helen, Genny, and Jake and we shared a few minutes before splitting off to our separate corrals. The gun went off and we staggered across the start line in waves. About 25 min after the official start, my corral finally began to run. I got swept up in speed (something I'm usually very careful about). About a half mile into the race, I started to realize that this day would be about 13.1 and not 26.2. The 13.1 even seemed too far for my lower legs. I cried, walked a loooong time, told myself to suck it up and trudged on with eventual running (at a decent clip I might add). My hip didn't bother me nearly as much as my calves did...more than just shin pain. Such is my life I guess.
Usually I remember a good bit about races, but I think I mentally blocked out a lot of the morning since it just wasn't that enjoyable. The water stops seemed a little unprepared, a good bit of the bands seemed to be taking a break when I ran past (kinda ruins the whole point of a RnR race don't you think?) Jake and the girls caught up to me (they were 10 corrals behind me :/ ) and I felt sooo hot the entire run. And the gatorade tasted funky. Needless to say, when I got to the split off for the half and the full, I evaluated how I was feeling and decided that I could suffer through more miles, but might find myself stranded in Anacostia...so I finished with the half. If I had my metro card with me, I probably would have toughed it out a little longer and metroed back to the start. Oh well.
Good things: so great seeing Helen, Jake, and Genny out there in action. Proud of them, and proud of Genny for finishing her first half marathon!!! I love that I have such good friends I can share these experiences with. And I got a tan (weird one, but a tan is a tan)! Every time I run a race is better than a time that I'm jsut out on a training run. I love seeing everyone else out there putting in the effort to accomplish their goals. It's inspiring. Other great part of the race: random house handing out a small bit of beer in a cup. I swear it lifted my energy and spirit. Also, good seeing an LSU house with a familiar face!
But...I'm glad it's over and I can focus on recovering and training for June 2. This week I will hit the gym for non-running cardio and weights ...probably do this all week until I leave for Dubai on FRIDAY!!! If I feel slightly better, I might head to Difficult Run on Wednesday for a group trail run. Those might have to wait until I get back from vacation though. I'm redoing my current schedule so I can ease back into the mileage without causing myself more damage.
My coworker/running friend shared a link about ultra running: http://vanessaruns.com/2012/03/15/7-deadly-lies-you-believe-about-ultrarunning/
I love this: "Many newbies don’t have any support at all. Never expect to go into your first ultra with the full support of all your non-running friend and family. Do you know when people start believing in you? When you prove yourself. When you finish. When you find success. So don’t sit around whining about how nobody supports you. Of course they don’t, and why should they? You haven’t done a damn thing. Your ultra is just crazy talk. Know your potential and go after it with all your strength. When you believe in yourself and prove your ability to finish, others will start believing in you as well.
...
When you run an ultra, you are out on those trails by yourself. You’re facing your demons alone on a terrain that is foreign. There are no motivational signs to lift your spirits. There are no cheering fans to scream your name. But that finish is unlike anything else. It’s yours and yours alone. Nobody can know what it took for you to get there, and nobody can share in your glory. That finish line is where you first realize that you can do anything. If it’s a nod from society you’re looking for, run a marathon. But if it’s a life-changing experience of personal strength and perseverance that you want, finish an ultra.
Ultras are hard for everyone. Ultras are just plain hard. Everyone struggles up that hill. Everyone has trouble breathing. Everyone feels the hot sun. Everyone is sweating. Everyone wants to sit down. Trails can’t tell whether you’re an elite or a newbie. They’ll kick your ass just the same. So you belong here just as much as I do. And I belong here just as much as the dude who wins first place."
AMEN.
Check out the blog list that I have on here of the ones I read, there are some great new ones I found!
A friend of mine posted this today so I gave the advice a shot: http://running.competitor.com/2011/08/injuries/the-10-best-mobility-exercises-for-runners_36329/1
It goes along with a ton of trigger point info I learned (and apparently forgot) a whiiiile back ago at a free DCCS seminar. I have icy hot patches on there since the entire calf area hurts on both legs, seemed easier than lathering the bottom part of both of my legs. I've been using the stick to roll it out, but it hasn't seemed to make much difference.
I *KNOW* I don't have proper foot strike...I'm working on it. But in order to be able to correct that, I need to not be in severe pain when I run (or even fast walk) like I am currently.
I'm really hoping that this website's tricks help me out!
3 days til Dubai.
***almost forgot, another friend showed me bodyrock.tv, definitely going to get into those when I get back from my trip!***
Comments
Post a Comment