All I can say about my race yesterday is, "Don't try to run a 10K (6.2 miles) after not running at all for almost 2 months!" So, after a very painful and long recovery surgery that had me out 99% of the two months, I was still determined to run the race.
I arrived at the race at least an hour and half before it was scheduled. Partly because I am always early, and also because we had to take a Charlotte group picture at a designated place and time. While I was waiting for my group to arrive, I ran into some old friends and ended up walking to the meeting place with them because we didn't want to be late for the picture.
After the picture was taken, we were then preceded to be told that the race was "serious." LOL! OK, let me explain this to some people. We all run for different reasons. Whether we run for fitness, weight loss, for fun, or to compete with our own time, DO NOT force your expectations on me or others! I run for fitness and for fun. I don't go into runs thinking I'm about to go out there and win the darn race because I'm not an Olympic Competitive runner. I go to races to have fun, run without pressure, do the best I can, and get my medal at the end for finishing. Fitness experts say if you run at least 30 minutes, at least 3 days a week and can average 12 minute miles as an adult then you are good. So guess what? I'm good. Maybe a pep cheer or some motivation would have sufficed!
But anyway, when I got to the starting line, I was ready to just run and finish. My friends were telling me that my body will just remember running and the 2 months off won't even matter. That was a lie! When the race started, I knew my game was off. I usually average a pace around 10-11 minutes throughout the entire race, but my body was not cooperating. My start was definitely not as fast as I normally would go. It was like I was moving in slow motion. At the 2 mile marker, my running partner told me that we were averaging 11 minute miles. I was taken aback because usually the first two miles I'm under 10 then I start to slow down for the remaining miles to get to my average. It was at that time that I started to get pissed at myself for being out so long. But hey there was nothing I could do, I had to finish. When I was almost at the 3 mile marker a previous knee injury decided to come visit. Hell! I thought I would be done, but just like in my Columbia relay, I just kept pushing through the pain. It was torture! I contemplated leaving the course to see a medic to get my knee wrapped but was told that if I did the medics would probably not allow me to finish. So that was out! I kept going. When the race ended all I could say when asked how I did was, "at least I finished," which are the words from someone who knows they didn't do well.
Needless to say, my redemption 10k didn't go so well and that 2 months off took it's toll completely. I certainly paid for it in the race and I am definitely paying for it today. I think I'll stick with the 5K's because I run now because it's fun and when I start to feel it's not, then I won't want to run anymore. So I will stay in my own lane for right now, unless I'm inspired to do more.
But don't get me wrong, if races and longer distance is what you aspire to, then go to it! I will be on the sidelines cheering you on. Like I said earlier, we all run for different reasons. All that matters is that we are off the couch and we are moving!
So ladies I will hopefully see you next year and we are going back to Atlanta for the conference/race... WOO HOO!
