On Saturday, October 10, I went on a twenty mile run with about forty-nine folks from the Alzheimer's team and November Project. I came in last and in some cases I'm glad I did! Now don't get me wrong, this was not my goal when I started out and yes there is still a part of me that is dealing with the disappointment of this run. However, the only bad run is one you don't learn from.
My goal for the day was to complete the twenty miles at a pace of ten minutes per mile. For the about the first six miles I was on target and things were going fine. I was tired yes, I hadn't slept well the night before, but the run was going okay and then I hit the bridge. Once I started across the Williamsburg Bridge my IT band in my left knee started to bother me. I slowed my pace a bit to hopefully ease the ache. I figured once I was back on flat ground I could go back to the faster pace. When I got to the end of the bridge, Cindy was waiting for me. I apologized for slowing down and explained that my band was irritating me. She asked if I wanted to stop and I said no I want to keep going.
The only other time I have had this kind of pain in my knee was during the Grete half marathon. During that race it flared up around mile six. However, at the time I figured it was because I started out too fast and the course was very hilly. I was able to push through, again by slowing my pace, and finish with a new PR to boot! Go me! Afterwards and for the next couple of days I foam rolled, stretched and iced. By practice on Tuesday night I didn't even feel it.
While crossing the 59 Street Bridge I did a bit of a run/walk combo. The inclines were really bugging my IT band and I wanted to finish the twenty miles without injury, so in certain areas I had planned on taking it easy. Going up First Ave was tough in places when I would hit all the traffic lights. At the fifteen mile water station I thought about going back down to 90th and into the park. However, I figured I was so close I should keep going. I made it up to 124, however while going from First to Fifth Avenue I began to think maybe this was a mistake.
I figured if I could just make it to the park I could cut across and head back to the NYRR offices. So I pushed on. While on Fifth Avenue my knee was really bad, so I decided to walk for a couple of blocks, which turned into more than I meant it when I felt a burning pain when I bent my knee. I didn't want to do anything stupid, so I continued walking. After texting with Brian and Ali, I ended up walking a little past mile eighteen and catching a subway home.
I hate quitting and not finishing what I start, but I also agreed with Ali and Brian that it would be worse not to finish on race day and I should stop before seriously injuring myself. I also wanted to finish a twenty mile for my own piece of mind, but I do realize that just because I didn't finish doesn't mean it will be a reflection on race day. I had other training runs that were great! I just need to focus on those.
I think what happened was too many miles and too many hard workouts in one week.
Sunday--Grete Half Marathon plus three miles and 60 jumping jacks (16.1 miles)
Monday--rest
Tuesday--training in the park (5 miles)
Wednesday--TBTA workout
Thursday--training in the park (6 miles)
Friday--rest
Saturday--team run (18 miles)
That's a grand total of 45.1 miles, which is the most I have ever done in one week. Other than the three miles after the Grete all the miles and workout were at a hard pace. I don't think I gave my IT bands proper time to relax after the half. Now, I need to make sure I give them the proper time to recover, because this will NOT happen during the marathon. However, I will need to bug Ali and Brian to see what types of workouts I should be doing. I want to keep going and I know I need to be working out, but I want to do it carefully, so I don't so too much too soon again.
I have been foam rolling, icing, massaging and what not like crazy. I want to fix this as soon as possible. I think it might be working, Ali had mentioned at one point that to really get it all out I need to create bruises all along the band. Well, that is partially taken care of. I have bruises on both thighs from all the work I have been doing.
I may have come in last on this one, but I am kind of proud of that fact. I made it to 18 miles in pain and wanting to cry and only stopped after both coaches convinced me to stop. Some folks would have stopped long before I did. So I think I should get a point for that one. I also got to see what it is like to do a long run in pain, definitely not fun, however good training. You can do everything in your power to make sure you are starting the marathon on the best foot possible, however there are some things you can't control on race day and pain or an injury flaring up is one of those things. Now I know what it is like and I can learn from that experience.
I can also say I know what it is like to come in last and that is very humbling. I will never make fun of any runner again. You never know what hardship they may be experiencing but yet they continue on, not for the glory of the gold medal, but for their own personal victory. They should be commended.
No comments:
Post a Comment