I got up this morning set on and feeling all ready for hunting down a BQ. Instead I am sitting here with my foot on ice reporting on my first ever DNF. Today's episode could be titled "The Agony of De-feet."<br><br>
Nothing out of the ordinary happened up until the race start. It was cold just like I wanted (30s-40s) and a bit breezier than ideal, but very good conditions overall. Had I made it that far, a tailwind would have pushed me in from mile 19 even -- how cool is that?<br><br>
My feet and legs felt very stiff until the 3rd mile, just not warmed up. My running buddy and I were on pace just fine, though. After that, my right foot completely fell asleep and started throbbing. I had to stop in Mile 4 to loosen the lace. That foot felt better. Just before Mile 7, my left foot suddently started feeling concentrated significant pain/pressure on the medial arch, espcially toward the heel, with every step. I planned to wait it out and kept going, trying to wiggle my foot and toes while I ran. No change. I loosened that lace after a couple miles. No change. At Mile 11 I was now 6 seconds off the slowest pace I could keep and still qualify, and the pain was worse. Had the foot not been hurting worse I would have pushed on, but with how every step felt I couldn't forsee going another 15 miles like that and making up the time to BQ, let alone possibly avoiding more serious injury. So I dropped.<br><br>
(I have never had this occur during a run before ever, but have had pain in that spot during massages and/or getting out of bed in the morning. WhenI stretch my calves, I can feel that that side is tighter in the lower leg. I guess it could be acute PF or else a very bad cramp in an already tight spot(?))<br><br>
It wasn't really that fun limping to the finish area to turn in my chip and seeing Half marathoners wearing medals and thinking how I wouldn't be wearing one today, but sooner or later every runner's going to have it happen.<br><br>
Today wasn't my day, but I'm confident that another day will be. I'm disappointed, but not <i>discouraged.</i> The worst part of this is that I know many people are going to be feeling sad or sorry for me, or disappointed for me. Of course that's natural and shows they care; I just feel bad about that. I'm sure I will shed a few tears before long, and it would be unhealthy if I didn't, but by no means am I seeing the day as an utter failure or tragedy.<br><br>
My coach agreed I made the right decision given the circumstances. I want to stay in this sport for decades and that means staying as healthy as I can in the short-and long-term. Maybe I would have finished with a serious injury (if it isn't already); maybe I would have finished no worse for the wear, but I doubt I would have qualified and that was really my goal today.<br><br>
It was still a great weekend filled with friends, good times, and rewarding running. My SO, a new runner, did great in his first 8K (40:02), 3 of my friends PR'd at the full or half distances, and one of our core running group members on his third training attempt, finally completed his first marathon. So there is much more to celebrate than be sad about. The Shamrock Sportsfest is a great event all-around, and I plan to return next year.<br><br>
My plan for now is to ice/ibu, get podiatrist and massage appts. ASAP, cross-train, and see how soon I can safely get back to training. Stay tuned!
Nothing out of the ordinary happened up until the race start. It was cold just like I wanted (30s-40s) and a bit breezier than ideal, but very good conditions overall. Had I made it that far, a tailwind would have pushed me in from mile 19 even -- how cool is that?<br><br>
My feet and legs felt very stiff until the 3rd mile, just not warmed up. My running buddy and I were on pace just fine, though. After that, my right foot completely fell asleep and started throbbing. I had to stop in Mile 4 to loosen the lace. That foot felt better. Just before Mile 7, my left foot suddently started feeling concentrated significant pain/pressure on the medial arch, espcially toward the heel, with every step. I planned to wait it out and kept going, trying to wiggle my foot and toes while I ran. No change. I loosened that lace after a couple miles. No change. At Mile 11 I was now 6 seconds off the slowest pace I could keep and still qualify, and the pain was worse. Had the foot not been hurting worse I would have pushed on, but with how every step felt I couldn't forsee going another 15 miles like that and making up the time to BQ, let alone possibly avoiding more serious injury. So I dropped.<br><br>
(I have never had this occur during a run before ever, but have had pain in that spot during massages and/or getting out of bed in the morning. WhenI stretch my calves, I can feel that that side is tighter in the lower leg. I guess it could be acute PF or else a very bad cramp in an already tight spot(?))<br><br>
It wasn't really that fun limping to the finish area to turn in my chip and seeing Half marathoners wearing medals and thinking how I wouldn't be wearing one today, but sooner or later every runner's going to have it happen.<br><br>
Today wasn't my day, but I'm confident that another day will be. I'm disappointed, but not <i>discouraged.</i> The worst part of this is that I know many people are going to be feeling sad or sorry for me, or disappointed for me. Of course that's natural and shows they care; I just feel bad about that. I'm sure I will shed a few tears before long, and it would be unhealthy if I didn't, but by no means am I seeing the day as an utter failure or tragedy.<br><br>
My coach agreed I made the right decision given the circumstances. I want to stay in this sport for decades and that means staying as healthy as I can in the short-and long-term. Maybe I would have finished with a serious injury (if it isn't already); maybe I would have finished no worse for the wear, but I doubt I would have qualified and that was really my goal today.<br><br>
It was still a great weekend filled with friends, good times, and rewarding running. My SO, a new runner, did great in his first 8K (40:02), 3 of my friends PR'd at the full or half distances, and one of our core running group members on his third training attempt, finally completed his first marathon. So there is much more to celebrate than be sad about. The Shamrock Sportsfest is a great event all-around, and I plan to return next year.<br><br>
My plan for now is to ice/ibu, get podiatrist and massage appts. ASAP, cross-train, and see how soon I can safely get back to training. Stay tuned!
