5th race in 2011: 3/26/2011, AZ Road Racers South Mountain Classic 5K, Phoenix, AZ.
Well, I had planned to run the 20K; I even signed up before Geyer! Shortly after I signed up, I arranged for Saturday bus transportation for the LCK Cross Country team and asked another teacher to chaperone the students running the 5K while I was running the 20K race. The kids filled out their paperwork and they were officially registered for the FREE race. But the bum foot changed everything for me! See previous post when Dr. H. trampled all over my dream to finish in 1:30!!
So instead, on this beautiful, perfectly cool Saturday morning, five (5) students and I met early at the school and took off in the bus at 6:45 A.M. We arrived with plenty of time before the start. I ran the Lincoln YMCA Half Marathon last October so I was familiar with the layout and the parking was plentiful. I had talked with Jeff around 6:30 so I hoped to see him before the 20K started at 7:30. James parked the bus, we walked to the registration area to pick up our race bibs and Melissa (teacher), James (bus driver) and I attached race bibs to front of shirts and looped timing chips through shoelaces. I kept looking for Jeff -- no luck yet and it was almost 7:30. The kids needed a potty break and then we ran into each other. He looked excited, full of Bieber-fever and I was teary-eyed inside. :( Anyway, the 20K started and Jeff took off. James took a few pictures and then shot a quick, candid, hilarious video of the team before 5K started.
We took off along this open course with a gradual incline until the turnaround. As usual, the students sprinted out of the gate and I was advised to walk. It was strange to walk at the back of the pack. Luckily my foot did well and I had my music player to keep me moving! I was able to walk at a decent clip and passed a few people...that felt good. As I headed up the last hill before the turnaround, Christopher passed me coming down the hill and he looked great, a nice pace. Melissa passed me shortly after, followed by Frank and Carlos. Carlos had shoelace troubles, otherwise he would have been closer to Chris. Now I was just waiting to meet the last 2 students, the extremely social girls on the team! I saw them at the top of the hill, they were winded and rejoiced at walking with me for the second half. At one point, they told me, "You walk too fast!" Hilarious!! We got to the last stretch, with maybe 0.1 mile to the finish line, and I was itching to run. Our teammates were waiting on the sidelines and I encouraged the girls to run it in. I finished in 50 minutes, 19 out of 20 in my age group, definitely my worst race though injured, but 1 second faster than the 12yo on our team! Then we enjoyed the FREE snacks (including oreos and soda at a race...WTF?) and also watched other people finish their race. I ran into Derek, a really fast runner/hiker, after he finished the 20K in 1:37...ridiculous!
We ate while we waited for race results to be posted. Christopher finished in 29:27, Melissa 34:23, Frank 39:10, Carlos 39:40, and the girls with me. Christopher finished 7 minutes faster than the February race...such a gifted runner and only in 6th grade! Despite the injury, a fun day. :D
Showing posts with label injury. Show all posts
Showing posts with label injury. Show all posts
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Do Foot Doctors Hate Runners? Hmmmm...
Monday, March 21, 2011
How do you like that title? Just wanted to get the conversation started...right?!
I finally got the referral to see the foot specialist. Gotta dislike HMOs and jumping through a wasteland of hoops! During the afternoon of my professional development meeting at school, sans students, I snuck out for an appointment. Luckily the doc office was close, so I dashed over to Phoenix Foot & Ankle Associates at 17th Street and Thomas. I completed the new patient paperwork, paid the co-pay charge, and waited a reasonably short time for a doctor visit. Dr. Timothy Harlan, DPM/MS/FACFAS, strolled in after my brief intake with a male PA. Harlan checked out my feet (we know he has a foot fetish!), noticed the swelling, and based on my description of the last 5 weeks, dubbed it...plantar fasciitis. Ya think?! I doubted my running partner, my PCP, online literature. But as soon as Dr. H. said the words, I am hooked! Super nice guy, witty (almost as witty as JG). They took an x-ray of my L foot, thankfully no stress fracture. He recommended that I purchase arch support inserts for my running shoes. Then we got to the bad news.
Dr. H: STOP RUNNING!
Me: But I have a major race in 5 days!! (insert pleading sounds)
Dr. H: You can stop running until your foot heals or risk more damage.
Me: Well, can I at least run the 5K?
Dr. H: Man, I love runners, now we get to the compromise. (I am NOT laughing!)
Me: But I am taking runners from my Cross Country team. What if I just walk the course? (new tactic)
Dr. H: If you stay off your feet for the rest of week, you probably can walk the race. Be prepared to stop.
Me: (internal thoughts) Whew, crisis averted, money well spent. And yeah right, like I would stop and turn around once I started a race!
The other free parts of the 'prescription' are continued R.I.C.E. Then Dr. H. gave me a steroid shot in the bottom of my foot to bring down the inflammation and told me that the area would feel numb for 6 hours. I think I need a codeine scrip to make the woozy feeling complete! I asked if I needed to schedule a follow-up visit in a month or so just to check in since I surely would be cured. At one point during the interview, he said that he would not be in business without runners and I confirmed the addiction...hahahaha! :s See ya in 3 weeks, doc!
I DO NOT LIKE INJURIES!!
How do you like that title? Just wanted to get the conversation started...right?!
I finally got the referral to see the foot specialist. Gotta dislike HMOs and jumping through a wasteland of hoops! During the afternoon of my professional development meeting at school, sans students, I snuck out for an appointment. Luckily the doc office was close, so I dashed over to Phoenix Foot & Ankle Associates at 17th Street and Thomas. I completed the new patient paperwork, paid the co-pay charge, and waited a reasonably short time for a doctor visit. Dr. Timothy Harlan, DPM/MS/FACFAS, strolled in after my brief intake with a male PA. Harlan checked out my feet (we know he has a foot fetish!), noticed the swelling, and based on my description of the last 5 weeks, dubbed it...plantar fasciitis. Ya think?! I doubted my running partner, my PCP, online literature. But as soon as Dr. H. said the words, I am hooked! Super nice guy, witty (almost as witty as JG). They took an x-ray of my L foot, thankfully no stress fracture. He recommended that I purchase arch support inserts for my running shoes. Then we got to the bad news.
Dr. H: STOP RUNNING!
Me: But I have a major race in 5 days!! (insert pleading sounds)
Dr. H: You can stop running until your foot heals or risk more damage.
Me: Well, can I at least run the 5K?
Dr. H: Man, I love runners, now we get to the compromise. (I am NOT laughing!)
Me: But I am taking runners from my Cross Country team. What if I just walk the course? (new tactic)
Dr. H: If you stay off your feet for the rest of week, you probably can walk the race. Be prepared to stop.
Me: (internal thoughts) Whew, crisis averted, money well spent. And yeah right, like I would stop and turn around once I started a race!
The other free parts of the 'prescription' are continued R.I.C.E. Then Dr. H. gave me a steroid shot in the bottom of my foot to bring down the inflammation and told me that the area would feel numb for 6 hours. I think I need a codeine scrip to make the woozy feeling complete! I asked if I needed to schedule a follow-up visit in a month or so just to check in since I surely would be cured. At one point during the interview, he said that he would not be in business without runners and I confirmed the addiction...hahahaha! :s See ya in 3 weeks, doc!
I DO NOT LIKE INJURIES!!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Addicted to Running
Training Run (SSD): Saturday, 3/5/2011
After the painful run during WITW 5K on 2/19, I rested for 4 days and ran 3 miles with Jeff on 2/24. My foot protested as well so I decided to rest it again. I really thought 9 days would be enough rest time!
In addition, I went to see my PCP earlier in the week. She confirmed that it was plantar fasciitis, told me to keep up the icing each day, gave me exercises to try as well as increased dosage of anti-inflammatory pills. I could get a referral after trying this "prescription" for a week. Since I had been struggling for almost a month, I was pretty sure I would be seeing a specialist within a few weeks.
Geyer had been struggling with bronchial issues so we were both out of commission. :(
This Saturday, I slept in so I ran solo after waking up and going through my morning routine. Unfortunately I goofed around a little too much and the sun kept rising. Finally I drove to the gym to run in the neighborhood. I started around 10:00 A.M. and it was pretty warm for early March. I hoped I had enough fuel for 3-4 miles. My left foot started to hurt about 1 mile into the run so I ran and walked the rest of the route.
I had a 20K race scheduled in 3 weeks and I started to get nervous. I knew my legs and lungs could handle the mileage but pain during a short, slow run does not miraculously disappear during a 12-mile run and walking it was unappealing. I WANT TO RUN! Arrrgggghhhh!! :s
After the painful run during WITW 5K on 2/19, I rested for 4 days and ran 3 miles with Jeff on 2/24. My foot protested as well so I decided to rest it again. I really thought 9 days would be enough rest time!
In addition, I went to see my PCP earlier in the week. She confirmed that it was plantar fasciitis, told me to keep up the icing each day, gave me exercises to try as well as increased dosage of anti-inflammatory pills. I could get a referral after trying this "prescription" for a week. Since I had been struggling for almost a month, I was pretty sure I would be seeing a specialist within a few weeks.
Geyer had been struggling with bronchial issues so we were both out of commission. :(
This Saturday, I slept in so I ran solo after waking up and going through my morning routine. Unfortunately I goofed around a little too much and the sun kept rising. Finally I drove to the gym to run in the neighborhood. I started around 10:00 A.M. and it was pretty warm for early March. I hoped I had enough fuel for 3-4 miles. My left foot started to hurt about 1 mile into the run so I ran and walked the rest of the route.
I had a 20K race scheduled in 3 weeks and I started to get nervous. I knew my legs and lungs could handle the mileage but pain during a short, slow run does not miraculously disappear during a 12-mile run and walking it was unappealing. I WANT TO RUN! Arrrgggghhhh!! :s
Walk in the Wild 5K 2011
4th race in 2011: 2/19/2011, Walk in the Wild 5K at Phoenix Zoo, Phoenix, AZ.
I found another race for the LCK Cross Country team. Though the ARR race was free, the transportation cost tapped out our measly budget. This time the kids had to pay for the race. The entry fee was only $10 for children and it included admission to the zoo after the race so a sweet deal! I arranged for parents to drop off the kids at the Zoo and asked another teacher to help chaperone the group. I signed up for this race even though my foot problem from the previous Saturday was worsening instead of improving. I ran/walked about 7.5 miles during the week but my foot hurt pretty good when running. :(
It was another chilly, dark morning to start a race, with the added threat of rain. Seven (7) students and I met in front of the rabbit's statue by the School Entrance, with plenty of time before the start. I had picked up the T-shirts and race bibs a couple of days before. That made it easier -- no waiting in line! So Elisa (parent), Melissa (teacher) and I attached race bibs to front of shirts. This race was untimed so no messing with timing chips. Elisa took a few pictures of the team and then we made our way to the start line. There were lots of parents and children at this race and we missed our chance to get closer to the front of the line.
We took off and the course was narrow at the beginning. The course included rolling hills around the zoo but the inclines were manageable in most spots. As usual the students stopped to walk often. I started out with the slower kids then ran ahead and caught up with Christopher and Denilson, the faster ones. When those 2 stopped to walk, I went back to run/walk with the second group and repeated this pattern several times. We had to run the first leg 2 times so that was a little boring for me. We loved running through the zoo, past the monkeys, lions, tiger, camels, giraffes and more! During the last leg, as we were coming around a turn, with maybe 0.25 miles to the finish line, I could hear and see the Finish Line Party so I encouraged Christopher and Denilson to run it in. We did but Denilson ran out of steam so Christopher and I crossed the finish line together, 7 minutes faster than his first race! Denilson crossed the line about a minute later. Then I ran back up the hill to meet the second group and run in with them. This second group is very social and was more interested in talking and walking than running. We indulged in the yummy fruit and snacks and also watched other people finish the race.
Only bad part: my foot hurt during the entire race so I knew I was going to have to take a break for at least a few days. :s Luckily no race planned for 5 weeks; I was hoping for a quick recovery....
We enjoyed the zoo for another hour and a half. Joshua took a camel ride for $5. Another fun day for all! Next race...ARR South Mountain Classic 5K in late March! :)
I found another race for the LCK Cross Country team. Though the ARR race was free, the transportation cost tapped out our measly budget. This time the kids had to pay for the race. The entry fee was only $10 for children and it included admission to the zoo after the race so a sweet deal! I arranged for parents to drop off the kids at the Zoo and asked another teacher to help chaperone the group. I signed up for this race even though my foot problem from the previous Saturday was worsening instead of improving. I ran/walked about 7.5 miles during the week but my foot hurt pretty good when running. :(
It was another chilly, dark morning to start a race, with the added threat of rain. Seven (7) students and I met in front of the rabbit's statue by the School Entrance, with plenty of time before the start. I had picked up the T-shirts and race bibs a couple of days before. That made it easier -- no waiting in line! So Elisa (parent), Melissa (teacher) and I attached race bibs to front of shirts. This race was untimed so no messing with timing chips. Elisa took a few pictures of the team and then we made our way to the start line. There were lots of parents and children at this race and we missed our chance to get closer to the front of the line.
We took off and the course was narrow at the beginning. The course included rolling hills around the zoo but the inclines were manageable in most spots. As usual the students stopped to walk often. I started out with the slower kids then ran ahead and caught up with Christopher and Denilson, the faster ones. When those 2 stopped to walk, I went back to run/walk with the second group and repeated this pattern several times. We had to run the first leg 2 times so that was a little boring for me. We loved running through the zoo, past the monkeys, lions, tiger, camels, giraffes and more! During the last leg, as we were coming around a turn, with maybe 0.25 miles to the finish line, I could hear and see the Finish Line Party so I encouraged Christopher and Denilson to run it in. We did but Denilson ran out of steam so Christopher and I crossed the finish line together, 7 minutes faster than his first race! Denilson crossed the line about a minute later. Then I ran back up the hill to meet the second group and run in with them. This second group is very social and was more interested in talking and walking than running. We indulged in the yummy fruit and snacks and also watched other people finish the race.
Only bad part: my foot hurt during the entire race so I knew I was going to have to take a break for at least a few days. :s Luckily no race planned for 5 weeks; I was hoping for a quick recovery....
We enjoyed the zoo for another hour and a half. Joshua took a camel ride for $5. Another fun day for all! Next race...ARR South Mountain Classic 5K in late March! :)
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