Right or Wrong

I truly ran for the first time since August. 

Yes, a few weeks ago I took did a small, slow run / walk with the running group, but that was it. This was a race. 

Again, the running group sponsors and runs the race. I volunteered and all, but a while back and plunked down my $$$ to run the 5k. 

I knew, even then, I couldn't do the half, that worst case is I could walk 3.1 miles if needed.  And I can't state this enough, I didn't want to do the half. 

This actual event is now my most-oft race. Thrice I've run it in one iteration or another. As it was my first race ever, it holds a sentimental place in my heart - should I have one. But now that I'm part of 'the club', I feel the need to support it. That said, only six of us ran. Many others volunteered on race day.

Technically, I was not cleared by PT to start running, let alone racing. Right or not, I went. 710 wasn't that supportive, as he (probably)  knew I would not adhere to my race day plan. 

My plan really was to do it nice and slow. It wasn't about winning my age group (I mean, I'm never winning winning), just completing the 3.1. 

The problem with races is the energy and excitement that goes with it. It is difficult not get swept up in that fervor (urban, if you will). 

So, I ran. 

My problem with running in groups like this is I never truly can feel how fast (or slow) I'm running, at least until my watch tells me. The first mile didn't seem fast and in non-injured terms, it wasn't. But for my rehab and goal it was too fast.  The second mile, I ended up almost 50 seconds faster.  Good for my ego, not necessarily my body.

At this point, I now just wanted to finish, as I wasn't feeling bad or in any pain. My breathing was a bit labored, but hey, it'd been almost 13 weeks. 

While it was 39 degrees, I was hot, even in shorts. I took off my hat and gloves. The gloves did not stay in my pocket and fell out - twice. I would have abandoned them, but two different runners stopped their run to pick them up.  I thanked them and apologized for making their time slower.  And mine. Ironically, I'd lose one of the gloves later while getting food at the pavilion. 

My race time was decent. My slowest 5K for sure, but not by much.....like 30 seconds, which was my first race. 

Now, overall, my race photos are fairly pathetic. The ones I post here are carefully curated. But never - and I mean NEVER - in the history of my short running career have finishing line photos looked so bad.  So terribly bad. ....which is why you're getting a starting line image. 

Forget injury. The threat of bad pics alone might keep me from ever running again. 

 

Song by: Rosanne Cash